A pleasing return to form and goals for our U18s this afternoon in a 5-1 at Landore against Colchester United.
Colchester have been on a poor run and often looked quite overwhelmed at times today. It was though a really strong all round performance by our youngsters.
Our line-up was quite fluid, but essentially 4-1-4-1: Kit Margetson; Thomas Searle, Jack Cooper, Jack Fanning (captain) (s- Brogan Popham 46m), Caio Ifans (s – Josh Pescatore 46m); Jacob Cook; Cameron Llewellyn, Thomas Woodward, Yori Griffith, Aimar Govea (s – Callum Jones 70m); Sammy Henia-Kamau (s – Rohan Davies 62m). Unused sub: Ewan Griffiths.
This setup placed a lot of responsibility on Jacob Cook, who covered a tremendous amount of ground, either breaking up Colchester movements or moving the ball around to our hungry attacking midfielders and wide men.
Aimar Govea had another productive afternoon, repeatedly getting to the byline to deliver and, on the opposite flank, Cameron Llewellyn enjoyed perhaps his best home performance this season, with some very clever control and distribution.
Leading the line, Sammy Henia-Kamau put us 1-0 up on 2 minutes after a well-rehearsed piece of play involving Thomas Woodward and Thomas Searle gifted him a clear shot right on front of goal. We created a succession of half-chances until we went further ahead on 36 minutes when Jack Fanning had a clear free header from a Govea corner.
Yori Griffith embarked on a splendid run a couple of minutes later, only to see his shot saved and Caio Ifans’s follow up fired wide. Colchester’s resistance didn’t last – Woodward converting a brave header on 39 minutes from Llewellyn’s cross after another incisive set of passing down the right wing.
Jack Fanning and Caio Ifans, who’d both had impressive first half performances, stepped down at half-time to be replaced by Brogan Popham and Josh Pescatore respectively.
We continued to dominate, without really creating too much in the way of further clear chances, and a mid-half lull saw United’s tall trialist striker get a clean strike away from outside the box to beat Kit Margetson on 67 minutes.
We snapped back into action, with Llewellyn’s intricate close control to the byline creating the opportunity for Griffith to put us 4-1 up on 71 minutes. 3 minutes later Llewellyn sent Woodward away to get a fifth. Our passages of play from this point onward were highly constructive and penetrating, some delightful linkup play throughout the team.
A word also for our U16 left winger Callum Jones who – after his introduction with 20 minutes to go – gave Colchester’s right back Palmer-Brown an absolutely torrid time for the remainder of the match. He’ll no doubt be carefully managed, but hopefully we’ll see a lot more of him in future.
Colchester made numerous substitutions towards the end and managed to see the game out without conceding again. All told, a welcome return to form and points.
Have a browse of images from the match in our Swansea City Under 18 v Colchester United Under 18 match gallery.