Mixed feelings from this game: we started slowly, conceded early and sloppily and looked as though we’d be overwhelmed, despite fielding the majority of the team that has performed so well in recent weeks.
The set-up was familiar: 3 central defenders, 2 full backs with licence to roam, a middle pair and a front pair supported by an attacking midfielder, Kyrell Wilson.
Poor defending allowed Miles Leaburn (son of Carl) to turn easily in the box and convert within 5 minutes. Leaburn must be at least 6′ 4″ and is no slouch on the ground, able to shoot with both feet. We had no answer to any set pieces that Charlton had in the first half. We were 3 down on 22 minutes, a deflected shot from a corner followed by a training ground set piece that allowed Reilly to score a neat side footed shot from the edge of the box. We’d barely got started.
Iwan Morgan offered a way back on 29 minutes by collecting and scoring from a decent cross by Wilson. Unfortunately, Leaburn profited from more sloppy defensive play 3 minutes later.
Geoff Bony was sacrificed for Corey Hurford 5 minutes before half-time, with Wilson moving up to partner Morgan. We created chances immediately before and after half-time, any one of which would have put us back in the game.
Our 2nd half performance was far more impressive – we dominated the ball, Leaburn was kept quiet and we crafted any number of opportunities. The players who’ve impressed so well in recent weeks – Edwards, Carey, Morgan – really came to the fore, were skilful, gritty and competitive and we really should have scored again well before Morgan punished a poor clearance on 79 minutes by Charlton’s adventurous but shaky keeper.
Charlton had a couple of moments late on, Leaburn in particular ballooning a straight-on hat-trick chance, but that would have been tough to take for a very strong 2nd half performance by our youngsters. A good game to watch, even if the 1st half was difficult for us.
Darren Davies’s game summary on the official website is spot-on.
Have a browse of images from the match in this Swansea City Under 18 v Charlton Athletic Under 18 match gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media