Almost 400 of the Jack Army travelled to south-east London to watch the Swans round off their pre-season preparation with a 2-1 win over League One Charlton Athletic at the Valley.
The game couldn’t have got off to a worse start for the Swans, after a calamitous own goal from Harry Darling, who under pressure from Charlton’s Albie Morgan, passed the ball straight past Andy Fisher to give the Addicks a fourth minute lead.
Michael Obafemi did put the ball in the Charlton net on 35 minutes, but not for the first time during pre-season, his goal was ruled out for offside.
The Swans looked a little out of sorts during the opening 45 minutes and certainly lacked the intesity of their League One hosts, for whom winger Corey Blackett-Taylor was a real nuisance to the Swans defence. Kyle Naughton stood out for the away side, as he continued his impressive pre-season form.
A defensive change after half-time, with Matty Sorinola moving to the left and Kyle Naughton moving between Nathan Wood and Harry Darling as the three centre backs, seem to help the Swans and there was a noticeable increase in intensity.
On 53 minutes, who else but Joel Piroe scored the Swans deserved equaliser, lashing home from close range following a corner. It was the Dutchman’s sixth pre-season goal.
As the game progressed, both sides started to make changes, with the Swans looking the more likely to score, as Charlon keeper Joe Wollacott denied Grimes, Piroe and Obafemi.
The Swans eventually got the winner their second half improvement deserved, as Ryan Manning scored from close range on 85 minutes, after some terrific work by Cameron Congreve, to send the 369 travelling Jacks home happy with the win.
The Swans start their 2022-2023 EFL Championship campaign at Rotherham United on Saturday, 30 July at 3pm.
Team Lineups
Swansea City: Andy Fisher; Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Harry Darling; Joel Latibeaudiere (Ryan Manning 72), Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Matty Sorinola (Lincoln Mcfayden 87); Joel Piroe, Jamie Paterson (Olivier Ntcham 72), Michael Obafemi (Cameron Congreve 81).
Unused Substitutes: Steven Benda, Liam Cullen, Ollie Cooper.
Charlton Athletic: Joe Wollacott, Steven Sessegnon (Richard Chin 73), Eoghan O’Connell, Jayden Stockley (captain), Albie Morgan, Conor McGrandles (Jack Payne 46), Scott Fraser, Corey Blackett-Taylor (Daniel Kanu 74), Ryan Inniss, Sean Clare, Miles Leaburn (Aaron Henry 74).
Unused Substitutes: Nathan Harness, Nazir Bakrin, Jeremy Santos, Deji Elerewe, Euan Williams.
Match Highlights
Watch highlights of the Swans draw at Home Park, courtesy of the Swans Official YouTube channel.
Post-Match Reaction
Swans manager Russell Martin gave his reaction to the Swans last pre-season friendly.