Another convincing home victory for the Swans age grade side today at Landore and ahead of the Championship match at the main stadium against Blackburn Rovers.
Colchester arrived with an experienced coaching staff – Joey Dunne, Paul Smith and Elliot Ward accumulated over 800 league appearances across their professional careers – but their young U’s side were one of the weakest outfits to appear at Landore this season.
Swans line-up: Jakub Nowak; Kaven Bloniarczyk, Rio Hassan (s – Sol Baker 61m), Jack May, Kamron Williams (s – Elis Thomas 78m); Alfie Jones (captain), Bobo Evans, Alffi Hughes (s – Buster Morgan 61m); Alex Godfrey, Harvey Gray (s – Lukas Murphy 74m), Kaleab Meron (s – Iago Evans 78m).
Unused sub: Xavvie McIntosh-Wells (g/k)
We played 4-3-3 with Godfrey and Meron wide of Gray up front. Tall striker Lukas Murphy made his first return to the squad this calendar year after a lengthy spell out with injury.
U’s keeper Oscar Parker had a poor start, somehow managing to flap at an Alex Godfrey cross and deflecting it into his own net. Gray and Evans both went close soon afterwards and Gray and Kaven Bloniarczyk each had neat goals struck out through offside decisions in the opening 20 minutes. Colchester’s single reply was a hooked shot from midfielder Istan Henry that cleared Jakub Nowak’s crossbar. That was pretty much it so far as the visiting threat was concerned.
There was a long stoppage for Jack May to have a head injury attended to – the bandage immediately coming off in his first aerial challenge after returning to the pitch. He resiliently carried on regardless.
We continued to look the sharper side, although Colchester seemed to be holding on until Meron won possession inside the visitors’ half and eluded a shocking challenge before releasing Godfrey in space. Godfrey’s shot went straight through Parker’s gloves to put the Swans 2-0 up.
Just 3 minutes later, matters got worse for United when centre half Porter allowed himself to be pick pocketed outside his own area by an alert Meron, with no one on hand to stop Meron from darting forward to convert past Parker for the third goal.
Colchester elected to replace their crestfallen keeper at half-time, but Swansea’s ball dominance continued after the interval. Alffi Hughes side footed against the post after another jinking Meron run opened up the United backline.
Swans coach Jon Beale shuffled the back four to allow Kamron Williams to move to the right back role, Bloniarczyk into the middle alongside May and substitute Sol Baker to left back. Buster Morgan joined the midfield and provided a busy foil to Bobo Evans and Alfie Jones.
Colchester soldiered on, but showed very little quality or threat.
Meron got his 2nd and the team’s 4th when Bobo Evans set him free. Within a minute, Alex Godfrey got his hat-trick with the best goal of the match after substitute keeper Allan misplaced a clearance and Godfrey crashed home from distance.
There was still enough time for Lukas Murphy to make a welcome return to action and for another U16 debutant in the form of Iago Evans, who looked composed and adventurous in a 12 minute right wing cameo.
Our youngsters weren’t necessarily at their best today, but Alex Godfrey and Kaleab Meron were largely given free rein to create all sorts of problems for the visiting defence. Midfield duo Bobo Evans and Alfie Jones were far too creative and quick thinking for their Colchester opponents. Jack May, who had to overcome an early head injury, delivered a steady and commanding performance at the back alongside Rio Hassan and Kaven Bloniarczyk. Sol Baker kept up the pressure and quick passing on his own arrival as an attacking left back.
The team maintains handily placed in 2nd position in the PDL2, with 17 points from 8 games.
Goalscoring: Godfrey 1-0 (2m); Godfrey 2-0 (33m); Meron 3-0 (45+3m); Meron 4-0 (72m); Godfrey 5-0 (73m).
Why not have a browse of the Swansea City Under 18 v Colchester United Under 18 Professional Development League match image gallery.
Feature Image Credit: Majestic Media