4-2 sounds like a convincing enough win but, in truth, Exeter got off lightly.
We’d already beaten this side 5-1 in an August friendly and today really should have scored far more goals and conceded less.
Coach Darren Davies used the opportunity to trial players in different positions. We lined up as 3-4-2-1: Kit Margetson; Arthur Parker, Seb Dabrowski, Zane Myers; Kyrell Wilson, Dan Watts, Josh Carey, Aimar Govea; Iwan Morgan, Geoff Bony; Rohan Davies playing ahead of Morgan and Bony.
We took a 3-0 lead and utterly dominated for 70 minutes, until switching off and conceding goals against a side who’d been reduced to the occasional breakaway, corners and free kicks. Sandwiched in between was a Rohan Davies goal. Exeter even managed to hit the post in the 88th minute, a goal at that stage would have placed unnecessary pressure on our youngsters, who should have been way out of sight.
The Exeter keeper excelled himself throughout, making numerous saves, and to their credit the visitors kept going despite not seeing much of the ball for long periods. For our U18, Kyrell Wilson had the run of the right hand side and created lots of opportunities for both himself and colleagues.
Some of the positional experiments worked better than others.
Seb Dabrowski looked entirely comfortable in the centre of the back 3. Zane Myers reverted to his more familiar left wing back role after David Roberts came on for Aimar Govea – who had a productive game on the left but was always going to come off second best in challenges with a tough Exeter full back.
Newcomer Arthur Parker did well on the right hand side of the back 3 and came off at half-time as a precaution, with a hamstring twinge.
Iwan Morgan could and perhaps should have had a hatful, even playing in a withdrawn role behind Rohan Davies. His close control and decision making continues to impress.
Dan Watts and Josh Carey provided a busy middle engine.
Our youngsters played some very good football, perhaps needed to show a more clinical edge – but a win’s a win.
Goals summary: Morgan 1-0 28m; Bony 2-0 37m; Bony 3-0 45m; Beardmore 3-1 70m; Rohan Davies 4-1 70m; Spencer 4-2 73m.
Why not have a browse of the Swansea City Under 18 v Exeter City Under 18 Professional Development League Cup match image gallery.
Feature image credit: Majestic Media