Preview | Swansea City U18s v AFC Bournemouth U18s
Swansea City Under-18s are on home turf for the final time this year as they welcome AFC Bournemouth to Landore on Saturday afternoon (12.30pm).
The young Swans will look to get back to winning ways after three consecutive league defeats, suffering a late loss against Bristol City last time out.
The two sides have faced each other already this season in the Professional Development League Cup, where the Swans came out on top thanks to Thomas Woodward's first-half goal.
Bournemouth - who are in their first season in the PDL since gaining category one status in the summer - have won just once in their last three league fixtures, courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town in November.
Pre-match views
Coach Ollie Jefferies: "The boys have shown real togetherness and team spirit over the last few months, especially with the success in both the FA Youth Cup and PDL Cup.
"The spirit and willingness to battle from this group has always been there. The lads have given everything for each other and our staff during the first half of the season.
"We’ll aim to finish this part of the season as strong as we can now before the lads have a well-deserved break."
Previous meeting - October 21 2023
Swansea City 1 AFC Bournemouth 0
Ten-man Swansea City Under-18s made it back-to-back Professional Development League Cup wins after Thomas Woodward's first-half strike proved the difference against AFC Bournemouth at the Canford Park Arena.
The 16-year-old opened the scoring with minutes to spare in the first period following a fine team move, and the Swans prevailed as they held on to secure a clean sheet at the other end despite a late red card for Jack Fanning.
The hosts took on a stranglehold on possession and had prolonged spells camped in the Swans half, and the Cherries threatened to take advantage as Jonny Stuttle tested Ewan Griffiths twice in quick succession.
Griffiths was called into action once again, producing a magnificent save to turn away a goalbound volley, and a frantic spell followed with Fanning and Arthur Parker producing crucial blocks for the Swans.
Yori Griffith then tested the Bournemouth keeper after racing towards goal following a neat one-two, and the Swans would soon break the deadlock.
It came via a superb team move, and Woodward finished it off from close range, netting his fifth goal of the season in all competitions.
There was late drama as the Swans had Fanning dismissed for a straight red, and Bournemouth then saw one of their defenders receive a second yellow.
But the Swans saw the game out for another cup win.
Swansea City Under-18s: Ewan Griffiths (captain) (Kit Margetson 71), Jack Fanning, Arthur Parker, Jacob Cook (Aidan Higgins 88), Ben Phillips, Iestyn Jones (Cameron Llewellyn 55), Osian Williams (Harlan Perry 55), Yori Griffith, Rohan Davies (Ten Minchev 88), Thomas Woodward, Josh Pescatore.