Ollie Jefferies pleased to see hard work pay off for Swansea City Under-18s

Swansea City Under-18s’ coach Ollie Jefferies believes hard work is paying off for the age-grade side after victory over Queens Park Rangers gave them three consecutive wins in all competitions. 

Rohan Davies opened the scoring early with a smart finish at the back post and, while the visitors did play their way into the game, the Swans were disciplined out of possession and the visitors failed to test keeper Ewan Griffiths.

Goals either side of half-time for Thomas Woodward put the game out of sight, before Davies dispatched a penalty kick with five minutes to go to make it 4-0.

However, the Swans were denied a clean sheet as Jake Coomes scored a consolation for the R's in injury time.

But Jefferies was keen to praise the attacking and defensive display from his side.

"We're really happy for the boys to get three wins in a row," said Jefferies.

"We've spoken over the last three weeks about how we can be more defensively structured, and getting the balance right between a pressing team and a team that defend in a more compact shape, and the boys were excellent at that today.

"They did that so well that Ewan [Griffiths] didn't have any saves to make. We're happy to see the learning from the video and training being put into the games.

"We've gone from conceding six goals against Charlton to conceding two across three games. As staff we're pleased with the defensive structure of the team, but also frustrated we weren't able to get over the line and give the team that clean sheet.

"At half-time, we told them to keep their composure. We knew that QPR are a high-pressing team and we wanted to invite the press to then have opportunities to play around or over them. 

"Overall, I'm so happy for them, everyone seems pleased and and happy within themselves, which is what you want."