Our U21s claimed a convincing 6-0 win in the sun over Huddersfield Town today at the stadium. The game was effectively over by half-time, with the Swans 5 up, totally overwhelming a weak opposition. Huddersfield improved slightly in the second half (in truth, they couldn’t have got any worse) and the prospect of double figures – which looked quite attainable in the first half – wasn’t realised.
We fielded a very strong side – and indeed, a very strong squad. Returns for Joel Cotterill and, on the bench, Filip Lissah. There was still the opportunity though to give U18 keeper Jakub Nowak 90 minutes and to bring another U18 player, Callum Jones, into the squad. Such was the strength of the side, Iestyn Jones operated initially at right back. Mitch Bates was at the heart of the midfield, with Cotterill and Tom Woodward ahead of him. Kyrell Wilson and Aimar Govea flanked centre forward Morgan Bates.
Line-up: Jakub Nowak; Iestyn Jones, Arthur Parker (s – Filip Lissah 61m), Blair McKenzie, Seb Dabrowski (s – Tom Searle 61m); Joel Cotterill (captain), Mitchell Bates, Tom Woodward (s – Ramon Rees-Siso 61m); Kyrell Wilson (s – Yori Griffith 73m), Morgan Bates, Aimar Govea (s – Callum Jones 61m).
The Swans started like a house on fire, full of attacking intent. Joel Cotterill had a volley from outside the area held. Aside from an immediate breakaway and shot wide by Terriers’ midfielder Baker, Huddersfield were on the backfoot for the entire half. Kyrell Wilson did well to get in a cross to the 6 yard box but Morgan Bates couldn’t get a clean strike away. On 10 minutes, Bates dispossessed Togo and strode through unopposed to finish clinically to put the Swans 1-0 up.
3 minutes later Aimar Govea cut out Knowles’s pass to move into the area and send a sweeping left foot shot beyond the Huddersfield keeper for 2-0. Wilson who’d gone close in between, put his side 3 goals to the good before 20 minutes were up – toying with full back Daley on a burst from halfway line before teeing up a clean strike from the edge of the area. Just 2 minutes later it was 4 when smart interplay between Wilson and Govea carved open space inside the box for Cotterill to convert. Bates was foiled at point blank range 5 minutes later, but any sense of respite for the visitors was lost when the hapless Togo lost the ball with a comical airshot deep inside the Terriers’ area to allow Cotterill to collect and punish from short range.
The chances kept coming to half-time, the Swans playing some incisive passing and opening up the beleaguered Huddersfield defence at will. It stayed at 5-0 to the break.
Huddersfield brought on Murray after the interval and tightened up a little, getting their first shot on target that brought Nowak into action. Centre half McKenzie was cautioned for a foul on 50 minutes. His opponent Thomas followed him into the book 5 minutes later. Play became a little less fluent, although Kyrell Wilson sent a tempting low centre across the face the face of goal that cried out for a finish. The 6th goal was achieved when a far past cross was met by Woodward. Morgan Bates was first to react to the header from close range.
Coach Anthony Wright made a set of changes just after the hour. The defence rearranged to Tom Searle at right back, Blair McKenzie at left back and Iestyn Jones partnering the returning Filip Lissah in the centre. Ramon Rees-Siso replaced Woodward like for like and Callum Jones took up Govea’s left wing place. Rees-Siso lined up Wilson with a penetrating pass, but Kyrell lost the ball under his feet. Lissah worked his way into the game, had one run and shot and one excellent crossfield pass, plus numerous tough engagements with Huddersfield’s bustling substitute striker Sebine. The visitors’ busy winger Bashir struck the post with a rare foray.
McKenzie managed to get himself dismissed with a clumsy challenge, picking up his second booking in the 74th minute. Swansea reorganised and were never under any serious threat in the remainder of the match. Callum Jones and Ramon Rees-Siso combined in a couple of late sorties, but the duel had been settled long before.
It was perhaps understandably difficult to maintain the tempo throughout and with personnel changes. The first half display was a great watch and the players can be proud of the way in which they linked together to reduce the opposition almost to baffled bystanders. There were impressive performances across the park, Kyrell Wilson, Joel Cotterill and Morgan Bates excelled in particular. Good also to see Filip Lissah and Yori Griffith back in action and with no mishaps.
He wasn’t named in the teamsheet, but I believe former Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge coached Huddersfield today.
Scoring: Morgan Bates 1-0 (10m); Aimar Govea 2-0 (13m); Kyrell Wilson 3-0 (19m); Joel Cotterill 4-0 (22m); Joel Cotterill 5-0 (30m); Morgan Bates 6-0 (59m).
Here are the highlights from the game: