A very entertaining game today at Landore, a well deserved 3-1 victory over Reading in a persistent drizzle.
We totally dominated the first half, Reading stepped up their game after the interval but we got our 2 goal advantage back with a well worked 3rd from sub Corey Hurford, who had a really positive impact on the left after coming on for Ben Lloyd, who’d taken a knock in the first half.
Our line-up, 4-2-3-1: Andreas Sondergaard; Harry Jones (sub Richard Faakye 74m), Kai Ludvigsen, Azeem Abdulai, Sam Leverett; Tiv Rushesha, Joel Cotterill (captain); Joe Thomas (sub Dan Watts 61m), Ben Lloyd (sub Corey Hurford 53m), Liam Smith; Ruben Davies (sub Iwan Morgan 74m).
We went ahead on 12 minutes with a Ruben Davies finish to smart passing play stemming from Leverett and Lloyd on our left. 3 minutes later Rushesha displayed great footwork in the box to carve an opening for himself to get the 2nd. We created more opportunities against a very poor opposition and really should have gone into half-time with more goals. Our shape looked good – Abdulai had acres of space at the back and was completely comfortable on the ball, Cotterill and Rushesha created a lot and our attackers were always causing problems. At times, our passing was delightful.
Another encouraging outing for Liam Smith, who went from left to right wing when Lloyd had to go off early in the 2nd half. Reading improved with their own substitutions, gave us less room and time at the back and snatched a penalty when Jones tugged back a player in the box on 67 minutes. It would have been harsh to have conceded the lead at this stage, but Reading certainly certainly had their moments. Fortunately, we reestablished our 2 goal advantage with some neat interplay between subs Morgan and Hurford on 76 minutes, Hurford getting the crucial. Having chased the game determinedly, Reading looked pretty much spent at this stage.
Not much to report on our new keeper. Due to Reading’s lack of firepower, he was limited to passing the ball out with his feet in the first half. There was nothing he could do to prevent Abdel-Salam’s chip against the bar on 29 minutes. Ominously, he dropped his first 2 catches in the 2nd half, got a hand to Akande’s penalty and took the ball cleanly when Melvin-Lambert broke through a minute later. Lewis Webb was in the stands.
Azeem Abdulai didn’t get quite the space he enjoyed before the interval and got himself booked when closed down after half-time, overall though he showed up well in central defence. Sam Leverett also excelled in an unusual left back role. Stand out performer was Joel Cotterill. Great first touch and vision for a pass, an opportunity in the first team must surely be on the cards.
Reading didn’t offer much. Former Swans winger Adrian Akande got their goal, but otherwise he didn’t impact the game. Reading coach Noel Hunt played against us in the 2011 play-off final.
Have a browse of images from the match in this Swansea City Under 18 v Reading Under 18 match gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media