REPORT | CARDIFF CITY U23S 2 SWANSEA CITY U23S 1

[Official Site News]

Source: Swansea Official Site

Swansea City Under-23s were beaten by Cardiff City in their Professional Development League South encounter in Leckwith.

The young Swans made the perfect start at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium; taking a seventh-minute lead through Bradley Gibbings’ first goal for the development side.

However, they struggled to pose a genuine attacking threat thereon, and were undone by two set-pieces in quick succession during the second half with Taylor Jones and Jack Bodenham turning the contest on its head.

And the Swans’ misery was compounded with four minutes remaining, when Scott Butler was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Jon Grey named an unchanged team from last week’s hard-earned 0-0 draw with league leaders Millwall, and saw his side make the best possible start.

Just seven minutes were on the clock when a well-worked short corner was poked home by Gibbings from close range.

Cardiff responded well and the young Swans had Jamie Searle to thank, as the goalkeeper made smart saves to keep out Rubin Colwill and Sam Bowen.

The visitors, who lost Joe Lewis to injury before the break, also went close at the other end.

Adrian Akande shot just over following a good run and cross by Morgan Clarke, while Rio Campbell saw a fierce low drive turned behind.

The hosts continued to apply the pressure in the second half. A quickfire break saw Owen Pritchard release Isaak Davies through on goal, only for the striker to blaze over when one on one with Searle.

The Swansea keeper then produced a magnificent double-save; keeping out Davies from close range after parrying Colwill’s initial effort.

But there was nothing he could do as Cardiff finally made their pressure tell by equalising in the 68th minute. A free-kick into the box broke kindly for Jones, who fired home.

And the turnaround was completed just six minutes later from another set-piece – albeit a harsh one awarded against Butler, who received what subsequently proved to be a costly yellow card.

The hosts took full advantage with skipper Bodenham heading in from Evans’ delivery.

Unable to respond, Swansea were reduced to 10 men with four minutes to play as Butler was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge.


Cardiff U23s: George Ratcliffe, Taylor Jones, Tom Davies (Cameron McWilliams, 68), Sam Bowen, Oli Denham, Jack Bodenham (capt), Rubin Colwill, Owen Pritchard, Isaak Davies, Roland Idowu (Chanka Zimba, ht), Kieron Evans.

Subs not used: Bradley Stewart, Tom Chiabi.

Swans U23s: Jamie Searle; Morgan Clarke, Scott Butler, Jake Thomas, Joe Lewis (Cameron Congreve, 39), Matthew Blake (capt); Erick Kenko, Ryan Bevan, Adrian Akande; Bradley Gibbings, Rio Campbell (Michael Murphy, 77).

Subs not used: Tyler Evans, Ryan Bassett, Aaron Hillier.

 

[Swanjaxs]

I watched this via scumtv, sad to report the cupboard is looking pretty bare at U23 level...

 

[Official Site News]

JON GREY | WE NEED TO FOLLOW FIRST-TEAM’S SET-PIECE EXAMPLE

Source: Swansea Official Site

Swansea City Under-23s coach Jon Grey says his players must follow the first-team’s example in defending set-pieces if they are to eventually step up to the senior environment under Steve Cooper.

The young Swans were beaten 2-1 by Cardiff City in their latest Professional Development League South fixture, despite taking an early lead in Leckwith through Bradley Gibbings.

After coming under an intense period of second-half pressure, Grey’s youthful side were undone by two free-kicks in the space of six minutes as they left the Cardiff International Sports Stadium empty-handed.

It means that the development side have kept just a single clean sheet from 13 league games this season.

By contrast, Cooper’s first team have 15 from 24 outings so far, with their solidarity at the back and defending set-pieces instrumental factors in their surge up to second place in the Championship table.

And Grey insists his under-23 players must follow in the footsteps of their senior counterparts if they are to eventually make strides in the professional game.

“We conceded from two set-pieces today, which is quite frustrating,” he said.

“If the players want to make the step-up to the first team, we must address the issue. That is something they pride themselves on.

“If they’re not getting away with it at under-23 level, they certainly won’t get away with it at senior level.

“I didn’t think it was a free-kick that led to the second goal but, even so, you still have to get on with it and defend properly.

“They must get that aspect of their game absolutely right and today they didn’t, they conceded two poor goals that were easily avoidable.”

However, Grey did praise the performance of Jamie Searle after the goalkeeper produced a number of impressive saves to keep his side in the game.

The New Zealander has been a regular between the sticks for the young Swans this term after arriving from Aston Villa in the summer.

Having registered a clean sheet in last week’s draw with Millwall, he turned in another creditable display against Cardiff; notably demonstrating tremendous reflexes to deny Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies in quick succession.

And Grey believes Searle is reaping the rewards of hard graft behind the scenes with goalkeeping coach Martin Davies at Landore.

“He’s come out of the game today with credit,” the under-23s coach added.

“He hasn’t been in the professional game for very long, but Martin works tirelessly with him every day on the training ground.

“It’s starting to show in his last couple of performances.

“He kept a clean sheet last week and kept us in the game today with a couple of good saves.”