Report | Barnsley U18s 0 Swansea City U18s 1

Swansea City Under-18s kicked off their Professional Development League season with a win over Barnsley in south Yorkshire. 

Under-16s' striker Harvey Gray got the only goal of the contest, continuing his impressive form during pre-season before the Swans played out the majority of the second half with 10 men after Kiel Higginson was dismissed for a second booking.

Gray and Alex Godfrey made their first competitive starts for the upper-age group, whilst youth phase players such as Bobo Evans, Kai Rhodes, Carter Heywood and Alfie Jones also played a part in proceedings.

The hosts put on the pressure in the early stages, controlling possession, but instead the breakthrough came for the visitors.

Excellent work from Ramon Rees-Siso on the left saw him move infield to play a perfectly-timed pass through to striker Gray, whose movement inside the box enabled him to meet the through ball and finish past the onrushing keeper. 

The visitors settled into the game after the goal and began to build up momentum, whilst also defending stoutly against a more mature Barnsley side.

The second half started brightly in the Swans' favour, as they created a number of good attacking positions in the final third.

However, the young Swans were dealt a blow after 10 minutes of the second period as Higginson was given his marching orders after a mis-timed tackle saw him receive a second yellow card.  

That ensured a tactical reshuffle was required from coach Jarred Harvey against a physical Tykes side, and the young Swans showed great character to hold on to claim the three points and a well-deserved clean sheet.

Swansea City Under-18s: Sam Seager, Osian Williams, Billy Clarke, Milo Robinson, Brogan Popham, Kiel Higginson, Ramon Rees-Siso, Alex Godfrey, Harvey Gray, Aidan Higgins, Callum Deacon.

Substitutes: Kai Rhodes, Elis Keating, Bobo Evans, Carter Heywood, Alfie Jones.