Under-18s suffer Saints defeat

18th March

Swansea City Under-18s missed out on the chance to grab their first points of 2019 as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Southampton at Staplewood Campus in Premier League South.

Three first half-goals from the home side meant the Saints took the spoils, as Benni Smales-Braithwaite, Pascal Kpohomouh and Christian Norton all netted.

The loss means the U18s are still searching for a first win and a first goal of the calendar year, with Smales-Braithwaite hitting his free-kick into the bottom corner five minutes into the contest to break the deadlock.

The second came soon after as Kpohomouh headed his effort home, slipping the ball between keeper Nathan Shepperd and Ryan Bevan on the far post.

Swansea had a number of half-chances throughout the game, but failed to take advantage of their opportunities in the final third of the pitch.

Southampton’s final finish came on the stroke of the half-time, with Rio Glean’s effort well stopped on the line, Norton reacted quickest to round out a strong half for the Saints.

The second period saw defensive improvements from the Swans, but with the damage done in the first-half the home side saw out the match to take all three points.

Southampton U18s: Jack Bycroft, Dare Olufunwa, Kameron Ledwidge (James Morris, 45), Caleb Watts, Pascal Kpohomouh, Allan Tchaptchet, Will Ferry, Alex Jankewitz (Callum Watts, 45), Christian Norton (Roland Idowu, 74), Benni Smales-Braithwaite, Rio Glean.

Subs not used: Olly Wright, Seamas Keogh.

Swansea City U18s: Nathan Shepperd, Ryan Bevan, Jacob Jones, Luke Mckendry (Marc Walsh, 45), Cameron Evans, Kai Ludvigsen (Bradley Gibbings, 45), Daniel Williams, Owen Jarett Evans, Charlie Clancy (Josh Thomas, 45), Ali Al-Hamadi, Will Rickard.

Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Louis Bates.