A good learning experience for a very young team today and against a very capable opposition.
There was clearly an intent to rest or reduce the potential for injury prior to next Wednesday’s PDL Cup Final at Millwall. No Tom Woodward, Yori Griffith, Cam Llewellyn or Tom Searle. Rohan Davies is still injured. Captain Jack Fanning was given a half an hour runout and Jacob Cook left the pitch after an hour. Our 5 substitutes had the sum total of 5 previous U18 appearances between them prior to today. Carter Heywood was making his 3rd appearance today at this level (and did very well).
As has been pointed out here, Burnley also gave opportunities to some of their younger prospects. Overall, the scoreline reflected the domination and chances they created, particularly in the 2nd half, although the late flurry of goals distorted things a little.
We varied between 3-4-2-1 and 3-5-2, starting out with: Kit Margetson; Brogan Popham, Iestyn Jones, Jack Fanning (captain) (s – Milo Robinson 33m); Jacob Cook (s – Kai Rhodes 64m), Harlan Perry (Bobo Evans 46m); Carter Heywood, Josh Pescatore, Ramon Rees-Siso, Caio Ifans (s – Harvey Gray 46m); Sammy Henia-Kamau. Unused substitute: Elis Keating.
By the time the substitutions had been made, Heywood went back to accompany Iestyn Jones and Brogan Popham while Henia-Kamau was partnered by Harvey Gray up front.
We got off to a poor start with Wetshi breaking clear of a weak challenge to put Burnley ahead within a minute of kick-off.
We matched the visitors for much of the first half and created the better chances only for tame finishing to let us down. Burnley’s skipper Wane struck the bar – a bit of a recurring theme – on 14 minutes and Wetshi hooked over with a clear view of goal on half-time.
Our youngsters took some time to adjust to further substitutions after the interval and looked quite overwhelmed for around 20 minutes until gradually working their way back into the match. Midfielder Ly struck the bar twice from distance during this spell and finally got the goal he deserved with an impressive curled effort from outside the box on 64 minutes. We had a scent of a comeback when Rees-Siso played in Popham to finish, but the goal was ruled offside.
The team battled hard to stay in the game, Rees-Siso giving a busy performance supporting Henia-Kamau and Gray.
Burnley’s Derbyshire rattled the bar again from distance before a comedy goal from a corner and a soft penalty put clear water between the sides in the closing minutes.
There was still time for Henia-Kamau to belatedly got some reward with a decent left footed shot after making room for himself in the area.
For the Swans, Iestyn Jones took over captaincy when Jack Fanning left the pitch and looks remarkably composed even under intense pressure. Carter Heywood had another impressive outing. We were always going to miss the contributions of the likes of Woodward and Griffith, although our U16 intake will have gained great experience from today. Some of these lads are still growing and will be better for the experience.
For Burnley, captain Lucas Wane could easily have got a hat-trick and Brandon Ly must be cursing the Landore woodwork.
Burnley’s coach was the former much-travelled striker Tony Philliskirk.
Goalscoring: Wetshi (0-1 1m); Ly (0-2 64m); Wane (0-3 87m); Wane (penalty 0-4 90m); Henia-Kamau (1-4 90+2m).
Have a browse of images from the match in our Swansea City Under 18 v Burnley Under 18 match gallery.