Toshack hails "magnificent" performance

Cameron Toshack hailed a complete team performance after Swans Academy beat The New Saints 6-1 to win the FAW Youth Cup for the fifth year running.

In a seven-goal thriller at the Liberty Stadium, the young Swans dominated throughout, securing a memorable victory courtesy of a brace from Ryan Hedges, plus goals from Adam King, Connor Roberts, Josh Sheehan and Kyle Copp.

The Swans started as they meant to go on as Hedges opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a cool finish past goalkeeper Stewart Evans.

Before the midway point, a quick-fire double from King and Hedges saw the Swans enter the half-time break with a three-goal advantage.

Just before the hour mark, Connor Roberts added Swansea's forth as he hit home from close-range before TNS captain Ryan Kershaw clawed one back for the visitors.

But the Swans were quick to restore their four-goal margin when captain Sheehan struck a 35-yard pile driver that gave Evans simply no chance.

With ten minutes left on the clock, substitute Kyle Copp rounded off the victory when he hit from 20-yards to make it 6-1.

The final result was no less than the young Swans deserved, of which Academy boss Toshack felt was a performance the club could be proud of.

"Everybody at the football club can be very proud of the guys tonight," said Toshack. "The players put in a fantastic performance, both on-the-ball and off-the-ball.

"Before the game, I asked the boys to press TNS high up when they were in possession, and they did exactly that.

"And when we had the ball, we maintained possession very well.

"Overall, it was very pleasing. To score six goals is fantastic.

"Obviously, the defenders and goalkeeper wanted to keep a clean sheet, but we kept them at bay for the most part.

"Apart from the goal, we were magnificent this evening.

"The occasion didn't put any of them off. They are a confident bunch but well-grounded. Events like this evening really do help them in their development.

"Tonight, people will have seen a group that pass the ball very well, whose movement off-the-ball is excellent, and in the first-half, I thought we could have scored five or six.

"As an academy, this is what you strive for. Everyone can be very proud tonight."