3 outstanding goals clinched a win for the Swans in today’s U18 encounter with Sheffield United.
We fielded a slightly more mature line-up than in recent weeks. Evan Watts continued his rehabilitation from injury and both Jack Cooper and Charlie Veevers featured in the squad, the latter for the first time this season.
A familiar 3-4-1-2: Evan Watts (sub Ewan Griffiths 57m); Arthur Parker, Jada Mawongo, Richard Faakye; Sam Parker (sub Kyrell Wilson 46m), Dan Watts (sub Charlie Veevers 83m), Jacob Cook, Callum Deacon (sub Rohan Davies 85m); Thomas Woodward; Geoff Bony (sub Jack Cooper 57m), Iwan Morgan.
Good opportunities for our returning players to get minutes under their belt. Aside from Evan Watts, Jack Cooper and Charlie Veevers, there were also sound runouts for Sam Parker and Geoff Bony, both of whom have been missing in recent weeks.
Bony made a great contribution to our first goal, delivering a first class cross deep into the visitors’ box for Kyrell Wilson to head in from close range. We conceded an equaliser straightaway from an unfortunate slip and trip that gifted United a penalty which Dickinson converted.
Wilson, who has pace to burn, finished a stunning team move on 73 minutes, being on the end of a brilliant box to box break starting from keeper Evan Watts and moved forward decisively by Arthur Parker and Dan Watts for Wilson to bang home in style from the edge of the penalty area.
We scrambled away 3 corners at the bitter death as Sheffield rallied. The last of these was hooked up to the halfway line where Kyrell Wilson got his head to the bouncing ball ahead of the keeper. He advanced to give Iwan Morgan the chance to finish as United defenders dashed back to defend an empty goal. That was 7 minutes into added time, a great way to seal an impressive victory and display.
Strong performances across the park in what was an often evenly contested match, but where we had the overall edge. Evan Watts looked confident and imposing in goal, Arthur Parker continues to shine at centre back, Dan Watts was very creative in the midfield engine room and Kyrell Wilson reunited his early season linkup play with Iwan Morgan and Geoff Bony to great effect. Darren Davies is directing something quite exciting with this group.
Sheffield United made a further substitution that isn’t picked up in the OS report – Trialist A (!) wearing 12 came on for the injured Ben Drake on 51 minutes.
Why not have a browse of the Swansea City Under 18 v Sheffield United Under 18 Professional Development League match image gallery.
Feature image credit: Majestic Media