Preview | Colchester United U18s v Swansea City U18s

Swansea City Under-18s travel to Essex to go head-to-head with Colchester United in the Professional Development League on Saturday morning. (11am kick-off). 

The young Swans are unbeaten in their last two outings on the road, with victories and clean sheets against Bristol City and Reading.  

Last time out, the Swans fought well to come from behind and earn a point against a strong Watford side at Landore Training Ground. Rohan Davies pulled one back on the hour mark. 

Colchester United have lost their last five fixtures in the league, suffering heavy defeats to Queens Park Rangers and Millwall.

Assistant coach Ollie Jefferies previews the match ahead:

"It's a long trip away. So we're going to train early and watch the game before we head off.

"We've had an illness run through the squad this week, and with the under-18s environment, some of our boys played with the under-21s against Burnley on Monday.

"We'll have quite a young squad heading to Colchester on Friday and again, we'll make sure our style is implemented on the game against Colchester."

Previous meeting - October 23, 2021

Colchester United 3 Swansea City 1

Swansea City Under-18s were defeated 3-1 away at Colchester United in the Professional Development League.

The Swans sat just one place below Colchester heading into the game, with both teams searching for their second league victory of the season.

Swansea dominated the early proceedings, but it was Colchester who took the lead against the run of play. Just six minutes in, a low cross found Kacy Parish who smashed it in from close range.

Cameron Congreve found an equaliser from an indirect free-kick just 10 minutes later. After goalkeeper Endurance Johnson dropped the ball then picked it up again, Joel Cotterill laid off Congreve who fired a shot into the bottom left.

Colchester remained dangerous on the break throughout the first half despite Swansea dominating possession. Kaan Bennett broke down the left, but he dragged his shot wide.

The U’s restored their lead just before the break, a long throw in found Parish who nodded it down and Yiazo Marcel-Dilangr fired in from close range.

But Colchester would seal the three points with just five minutes to go, Ben Hughes made a good save from Kaan Bennett’s shot before a second shot was blocked but Brad Ihionvien finally turned it in.

Swansea U18s: Ben Hughes, Harry Jones, Kian Jenkins (David Roberts 65’), Josh Edwards, Richard Faakye, Joel Cotterill (captain), Adrian Akande, Ben Lloyd, Kyrell Wilson, Cameron Congreve (Dylan Perkins 65’), Aaron Hillier (Geoff Bony 71’).

Unused subs: Tyler Evans, Charlie Veevers.