Under-21s suffer friendly defeat to Merthyr

11th July

The Under-21s went down to a 3-1 defeat against Merthyr Town as their pre-season campaign got underway.
Prior to kick-off at Penydarren Park, Academy Manager Nigel Rees and Merthyr's chief executive, Rob Price, were pictured on the pitch following the partnership between the two clubs which was announced on Friday.
The Swans - who started with eight of last season's Under-18 squad in their starting line-up - found themselves a goal down inside the first minute as a long ball over the top found its way to Ian Traylor and the striker coolly lobbed the ball over Oliver Davies.
However, the visitors responded well and levelled just before the midway point of the first half as Kyle Copp laid the ball off for Owain Jones whose powerful drive was too much for Martyrs 'keeper Cameron Clarke.



That was how it remained until the break, where the Swans named another youthful side for the second period.
But it was Merthyr who went back in front on 51 minutes as Chris Hugh's cross from the left somehow found its way past Gregor Zabret.
And the hosts extended their lead further with 17 minutes to play as former Swans man Kerry Morgan drilled home from inside the box.
Tom Dyson came closest to pulling one back for the Swans, but his powerful effort from 20 yards was tipped over by the Martyrs goalkeeper late on.

SWANS U21s (first half): Oliver Davies, Connor Roberts, Aaron Lewis, Tom Holland, Joe Rodon, Keston Davies, Ryan Hedges, Adnan Maric, Owain Jones, Kyle Copp, Dan James.

SWANS U21s (second half): Gregor Zabret, Dan Alfei, Connor Roberts, Sam Evans, Dan Jeffries, Alex Gogic, Stephen Fallon, Tom Dyson, Alex Samuel, Henry Jones, Liam Cullen.

The Under-21s are back in action on Wednesday (July 15) when they host Wrexham at Landore (3pm), while the Under-18s face Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday at Landore (4.30pm).

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