Report | Cardiff City U18s 3 Swansea City U18s 2

Swansea City Under-18s suffered late heartbreak as Trey George's hat-trick saw Cardiff City come from behind to claim victory in their Professional Development League clash at Leckwith.

Thomas Woodward had opened the scoring for the Swans with his eighth goal of the season after a fine cross from Yori Griffith picked out the 16-year-old in the area to tap home.

Rohan Davies made it 2-0 after the break with his third goal in two games; Woodward turning provider from a Swans corner.

However, a second-half hat-trick from George saw the Bluebirds snatch all three points.

There had been just the one change to the Swansea starting line-up from last Saturday’s victory over Queens Park Rangers as Dan Watts – returning from injury – came in for Harlan Perry. 

It was an open start and the visitors showed the confidence from their recent good run of form, but the first attack went the way of the Bluebirds as George saw his shot well blocked by Woodward in the box. 

Swansea survived another scare moments later, George getting in on goal but the woodwork prevented his strike finding the bottom corner.

Down the other end, the Swans had their first chance after winning the ball with a good press. A smart delivery from Aimar Govea fed Woodward in the box, and he made room for a shot which ruffled the side-netting. 

Two half-chances followed for the young Swans. Davies sliced a volley following great work from Griffith, before Watts sent a free-kick over the crossbar. 

But the Swans were soon ahead with 20 minutes on the clock. 

It came via a lovely team move. Griffith produced a mazy run, fending off his man down the left before floating the ball into the penalty area for Woodward to tap home. 

Cardiff responded, and Swansea keeper Ewan Griffiths was forced into two crucial saves in quick succession, blocking out Japhet Matondo’s close-range effort before pushing George’s strike away for a Bluebirds corner. 

Then, in the final seconds of the first period, the home side went agonisingly close to drawing level. George’s effort from a tight angle was well saved by skipper Griffiths, while Ben Phillips was on hand to clear the rebound off the line.

Cardiff enjoyed some early pressure after the restart, George planting a header just wide from a Will Spiers cross. 

The Swans went close to extending their lead. Griffith did well beat his man and cut in on his right foot to find Davies, whose lob was tipped over by Louis Armstrong. 

But the visitors did get their second goal from the resulting corner kick. Govea's whipped delivery was nodded down by Woodward’s head and Davies finished from close range. 

However, the game would turn on its head with George producing a fine chipped finish to pull a goal back, before the same player capitalised on a defensive lapse to level from close range.

And the Swans suffered agony when George completed his hat-trick in the closing stages and gave the home side the win.  

Swansea City Under-18s: Ewan Griffiths, Iestyn Jones, Arthur Parker, Jacob Cook, Ben Phillips, Dan Watts (Harlan Perry 61), Cameron Llewellyn (Teo Minchev 78), Yori Griffith, Rohan Davies, Thomas Woodward, Aimar Govea (Josh Pescatore 62). 

Substitutes: Kit Margetson, Osian Williams.