A fine win for the U21s in the bitter cold this evening against a team that traditionally gives our U21s tough contests.
For much of the game, play was fairly even, but the quality of Swans’ finishing made all the difference.
Coach Anthony Wright maintained a 4-3-3 set-up, with newcomer Joe Collins making his debut and scholars Kai Rhodes, Milo Robinson, Billy Clarke and Brogan Popham deservedly stepping up from the U18s. Oli Cooper was given gametime having recently returned to the club from his loan at Wigan and being limited to first team bench appearances. Among the players in the stand, we had another player on crutches – Ramon Ress-Siso.
Joe Collins; Sam Parker (s – Billy Clarke 67m), Iestyn Jones, Blair McKenzie, Callum Deacon; Dan Watts (captain), Harlan Perry, Oli Cooper (s – Milo Robinson 77m); Josh Pescatore, Morgan Bates (s – Brogan Popham 77m), Kai Rhodes (s – Tom Woodward 58m).
Unused sub: Tom Wright (g/k)
We got off a perfect start after just a minute, a slick passing move finding right wingman Josh Pescatore in space to deliver a cross shot that was pushed out for Morgan Bates to convert from close range.
Bournemouth steadied themselves and the next 20 minutes were quite competitive. Sam Parker was quick to support and link up with Pescatore on the right, sending in tempting centres. Bournemouth’s centre forward Day brought a save from Joe Collins on the half hour mark.
We went 2-0 up on 32 minutes when a Bournemouth corner was cleared to Rhodes who released Pescatore in space, Josh advancing and cleanly striking a lofted shot beyond Dixon.
Bournemouth’s Dacosta posted an immediate riposte with an excellent finish from outside the box to get the visitors back in touching distance. The Cherries created further opportunities in quick succession but Swansea held out to half-time. Parker was booked in added time and Bates went close again with a header from a Dan Watts delivery.
Into the Second Half, the match remained tightly fought, Harlan Perry being off target from distance and Bates glancing a header wide from a corner.
Within a couple of minutes of entering the field of play, Tom Woodward exchanged passes with Pescatore inside the Cherries’ penalty area to crash home Swansea’s third goal on the hour. Iestyn Jones was narrowly off target with a header just seconds later as Swansea pressed home their advantage.
Sam Parker was taken off as a precaution after going down injured, Billy Clarke slotting into the right back role.
Pescatore and Bates had further chances to wrap things up before Pescatore got the fourth on 80 minutes with another firmly struck shot, this time from Milo Robinson’s pass after another piece of smart set-up play by Woodward and Watts.
As time ran down, Bournemouth left winger created chances for himself and got Bournemouth’s second on 86 minutes. The visitors pushed forward trying to get more from the game in added time but the score remained 4-2.
Swansea were good value for the win. Full credit to Pescatore for some excellent finishing. Iestyn Jones had an outstanding match at the back and alongside him Blair McKenzie had perhaps his best performance at this venue. Harlan Perry and Dan Watts made a productive combination in the middle, Morgan Bates’s intelligent play and lay-offs were highly effective. It was also encouraging how well Woodward, Robinson and Clarke eased themselves into the rhythm of a frenetic game to make positive contributions. Despite Bournemouth’s threat, new boy Collins didn’t have a great deal to do in goal, but looked confident and alert.
Former Bournemouth striker Alan Connell was once again in charge of the opponents.