Preview | Cardiff City U18s v Swansea City U18s
Swansea City Under-18s head to Cardiff City for their south Wales derby meeting at Leckwith in the Professional Development League (11am) on Saturday.
The young Swans are unbeaten in their last three games after staging a late comeback at Burnley to snatch a point on the road last time out
Darren Davies' side will be without Jada Mawongo, Sam Parker, Ewan Griffiths and Evan Watts as they are away on international duty for Sri Lanka and Wales respectively.
The Bluebirds are also on a good run, and are yet to suffer defeat this season following victories over Hull City, Birmingham City and a handsome 6-2 success against Peterborough United.
Pre-match views
Swansea City Under-18s' coach Darren Davies: "Last week at Burnley was an entertaining match, with those two last-minute goals. We spoke to the boys, and they acknowledged that they weren't as good as they can be.
"It's been a good week on the training pitch, it's international break, so we've combined training with the under-21s, which is nice for the boys to be exposed to that.
"Saturday is a different learning experience, with it being a local derby. Footballing wise on the pitch it's a learning moment, but off the pitch, there's plenty of learning all around.
"We're not really focused on Cardiff, it's about Swansea City and what we do, how we educate the players. I know Cardiff will be very well coached and there will be an edge to the game.
"With it being a derby, why not embrace that? As much as the staff would want to focus on individual development and our process, there's no denying the boys are looking forward to it."
Previous meeting - February 2, 2022
Cardiff City 1 Swansea City 2
Swansea City Under-18s secured back-to-back league wins for the first time during the 2021-22 campaign as they claimed the bragging rights against rivals Cardiff City.
The Swans travelled to the third-placed side in the Professional Development League south group and took an early lead through Kyrell Wilson.
The hosts equalised with a penalty, but Filip Lissah’s second-half header proved the difference as the Swans came out on top in the derby.
The visitors opened the scoring after some fantastic passing play between Wilson and Geoff Bony gave the former a simple finish as he converted his second goal in as many games.
But six minutes later Cardiff were level, Isaac Jefferies broke down the left and was dragged down in the box by Kai Ludvigsen. Jefferies stepped up to the spot and converted to make it 1-1.
However, Morgan’s shot deflected upwards and Lissah reacted fastest, his looping header at the back post finding the back of the net to restore the Swans lead.
