Preview | AFC Bournemouth U18s v Swansea City U18s
Swansea City Under-18s are back in Professional Development League action on Saturday afternoon as they take on AFC Bournemouth at Canford Park Arena (12:30pm).
The young Swans had been set to be in PDL Cup quarter-final action in midweek against Sheffield United, but the fixture was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
On their way to the quarter-finals of that competition, Swansea claimed a 1-0 victory over the Cherries in November thanks to Thomas Woodward's first-half strike, and a brilliant performance from Ewan Griffiths between the sticks.
In the reverse league fixture, the Swans ensured they finished 2023 on a high with a dominant showing as goals from Rohan Davies, Jacob Cook and Woodward sealed a 3-1 win.
Pre-match views
Coach Jarred Harvey: "It's been a busy couple of weeks for the lads, unfortunately our quarter-final game against Sheffield United was called off, but that has also enabled the players to have some valuable rest.
"And, like any other game, we'll prepare the same we always do and stick to the game plan.
"I know the boys played Bournemouth in November, which was in the PDL Cup, and they were fantastic, they really challenged them when Bournemouth are most comfortable at home as they've also just come down from category one."
Previous meeting - December 16, 2023
Swansea City 3 AFC Bournemouth 1
Goals from Rohan Davies, Jacob Cook and Thomas Woodward ensured Swansea City Under-18s finished 2023 on a high by sealing victory over AFC Bournemouth at Landore.
The Swans were 1-0 up inside three minutes with Davies converting from the spot after Woodward was fouled in the area.
The visitors netted an equaliser when Josh Salmon drilled the ball into an empty net.
But Cook would put the Swans back in front before the hour-mark after sending a wonderful strike into the top corner, with Woodward sealing all three points by turning in Aimar Govea's cross in the final quarter.
Swansea City Under-18s: Kit Margetson, Iestyn Jones, Arthur Parker, Jacob Cook, Brogan Popham (Teo Minchev 85), Harlan Perry (Cameron Llewellyn 67), Thomas Searle (Josh Pescatore 46), Yori Griffith, Rohan Davies, Thomas Woodward, Aimar Govea.
Substitutes: Ewan Griffiths, Milo Robinson.