Preview | Watford U18s v Swansea City U18s
Swansea City Under-18s are back in Professional Development League action on Saturday afternoon as they go head-to-head with Watford at the Hornets training base. (1pm kick-off).
The young Swans will look to build on their 2-0 win against Bristol City a week ago, as goals from Zane Myers and Iwan Morgan handed them their second victory of 2023.
Only two points separate the sides in the south division table. The Hornets have picked up nine points in their last five league fixtures, but have seen defeat in their last two outings against Queens Park Rangers and Colchester United respectively.
Back in November, the reverse fixture saw the spoils shared at Landore Training Ground. Rohan Davies' strike cancelling out a first-half free-kick by Watford midfielder Andres Aguilar.
Pre-match views
Coach Darren Davies: "I've been really pleased with the last couple of performances from the boys, and it's been brilliant to see the young ones contribute.
"Like always, we'll have a good training week ahead of Watford, analysing the units and areas where we can better from the Bristol game.
"Watford have a good squad, from what we went up against last year. We're looking forward to the trip and we'll just ask the same from the boys again, just to implement what they know and enjoy it."
Previous meeting - October 30, 2021
Watford 4 Swansea City 2
Nine-man Swansea City Under-18s were beaten on their last visit to Watford in the Professional Development League.
The visitors found themselves behind after just six minutes, Shaqai Forde getting through from an excellent ball before poking it past the goalkeeper.
But the Swans were level just four minutes later, with great pressing play seeing Cameron Congreve win the ball high up the pitch before cutting onto his left foot and burying it into the left corner.
Watford regained the lead. Richard Faakye brought down Kyreece Lisbie in the box, and Lisbie stepped up to the penalty spot and buried it in the bottom right to make it 2-1.
The Swans were then reduced to 10 men, Faakye’s high boot caught Tobi Adeyemo in the face which left him needing medical attention.
The Hornets made the most of their numerical advantage, with Adrian Blake causing a mix up in the makeshift defence, allowing Kyrell Lisbie to tap home from close range.
Ten minutes into the second half, Swansea were then reduced to nine men after Kian Jenkins received a second yellow card for a foul on the edge of the box.
Forde then scored his second of the afternoon from the subsequent free-kick, firing a low effort into the bottom right corner.
Swansea City Under-18s: Ben Hughes, Filip Lissah, Kian Jenkins, Joel Cotterill, David Roberts, Richard Faakye, Adrian Akande, Cameron Congreve (Charlie Veevers 77’), Kyrell Wilson (Seb Dabrowski 81’), Kieran Petrie (Samuel Parker 58’), Zane Myers (Geoff Bony 66’)
Unused subs: Sam Seagar.