Another highly entertaining game at Landore. It was Darren Davies’s last in charge and a fitting farewell.
After going 3-1 down just before half-time to a bright Wigan side, our U18 got an immediate riposte and then scored a further 5 goals to finish 7-3 winners.
Our line-up in a familiar 3-4-1-2 formation: Kit Margetson; Arthur Parker (sub Jack Fanning 52m), Jada Mawongo, Richard Faakye; Sam Parker, Daniel Watts, Jacob Cook, Aimar Govea (sub Kyrell Wilson 52m); Charlie Veevers (sub Jack Cooper 46m); Geoff Bony (sub Rohan Davies 70m), Iwan Morgan.
Wigan played an aggressive style, often having 4 players up front, with 2 really effective wingers in Edwards and Igiehon who gave our defence untold problems. Fellow striker Harrison Bettoni got a hat trick, 3 quite different goals. We just couldn’t cope with him, although he oddly he was completely anonymous in the 2nd half.
The Swans had gone 1 up on 5 minutes with Charlie Veevers – in his first start of the season – converting a free kick from 20 yards.
Wigan bounced back with Edwards jinking his way to the by-line and getting a cross over to the unmarked Bettoni to chest down and beat Margetson. Margetson just managed to keep a header from the same player out minutes later, but Bettoni wasn’t to be denied. Not for the first time, he took a position outside our area for a corner, no one picked him up and he duly collected and converted convincingly. Wigan and Bettoni got a deserved 3rd with a penalty hammered home after Igiehon was bundled over in the box.
Athletic had looked totally superior despite initially going behind – it was unusual to see our youngsters so comprehensively out thought in the first half. Very little went right for us – our defenders were outnumbered, our midfield couldn’t get on the ball and our strikers were totally isolated. A couple of our players were behind the pace. We got a bit of timely good fortune when Sam Parker broke clear on the right to set up Iwan Morgan to get us back to 2-3 before the interval. That put our tails up for a remarkable 2nd half performance.
The turnaround continued into the 2nd half with Morgan getting the equaliser on 47 minutes, latching onto a Jacob Cook lob back into the box from an uncleared corner and with the Athletic defenders nowhere to be seen. 3 minutes later he was put into scoring position by great work by Dan Watts and Sam Parker to put the Swans 4-3 ahead.
A couple of player and positional changes from half-time onward seemed to make all the difference for us. Dan Watts moved up to support Morgan and Bony, Richard Faakye moved into midfield and Jack Cooper strengthened the defensive 3. We didn’t fully get to grips with Edwards and Igiehon, but they were less dangerous with their supply broken. Crucially, Kyrell Wilson entered the fray on 52 minutes to introduce exceptional pace to our game. He duly scored with his first touch after Wigan got themselves in a tangle at the back and Wilson charged down the keeper. It was the 4th Swans goal in 10 minutes.
Amazingly, Morgan then clinched his hat-trick with a superb free kick from distance.
Wilson completed the scoring with a typical burst through from the halfway line to get the 7th in added time.
Plaudits in particular to Iwan Morgan and Dan Watts, both of whom had exceptional matches. Iwan’s hat-trick is testimony to his relentless search for chances and goals. It’s not the first time Dan has featured in 3 different roles in the same game – and he slots into each with consummate ease. His anticipation and distribution is outstanding. He’s not a big player, but his energy and tenacity must make him a nightmare for opponents. Kyrell Wilson’s speed poses problems for any defence and his overall play has continued to improve on his return from injury. Wigan, who looked such a force before the interval, were probably bewildered at the way in which they shipped 6 uncontested goals.
In the detail, it was a pleasing return to action for new boy Jack Fanning. He’s not a left back by any stretch of the imagination, but showed enough against a very tricky winger to keep Edwards at bay. His distribution is also very good. He and Arthur Parker have proved to be sound acquisitions this season. Charlie Veevers scored a very good goal and now has the benefit of preseason to get himself back to match fitness. Jack Cooper slotted in quickly at the back and again after a long recuperation from injury.
Former Oldham striker and manager Frankie Bunn was part of the Wigan coaching set-up.
Aside from Oscar Harris – whose father was in attendance – Wigan also fielded substitutes Harrison Rimmer (for Eckershall 70m) and Greenhalgh (for Edwards 81m).
Goalscoring: Veevers 1-0 (5m); Bettoni 1-1 (11m); Bettoni 1-2 (22m); Bettoni pen 1-3 (43m); Morgan 2-3 (44m); Morgan 3-3 (47m); Morgan 4-3 (50m); Wilson 5-3 (54m); Morgan 6-3 (69m); Wilson 7-3 (90m+).
At the close of the match, there was a display of gratitude from the Swans team to outgoing coach Darren Davies. His coaching over the past 2 seasons has been a revelation and the team has been a joy to watch. He will be a hard act to follow.
Have a browse of images from the match in this Swansea City Under 18 v Wigan Athletic Under 18 match gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media