Report | Millwall U18s 5 Swansea City U18s 1
Swansea City Under-18s fell to defeat against Millwall in their Professional Development League encounter at Calmont Road.
The hosts had four goals in the first half thanks to a Jack Howland brace, and close-range finishes from Oliver Whitby and Kavalli Heywood.
The Swans pulled a goal back whilst 3-0 down after Cameron Llewellyn's delivery was calmly finished off by Rohan Davies.
But the Lions netted a fifth goal in stoppage time as Howland completed his hat-trick, with the three points putting them on level terms with the Swans in the PDL South.
Brogan Popham replaced Seb Dabrowski in the Swansea team before before kick-off, whilst Davies came back into the startling line-up in place of Sammy Henia-Kamau.
The Swans had some promising moments in the opening stages. Popham’s through ball found Yori Griffith who cutting inside only to overhit his cross.
However, the Lions soon surged forward and broke the deadlock inside 10 minutes.
The hosts capitalised on a misplaced pass in midfield, which sent Howland into space before curling the ball into the top corner.
Down the other end, Thomas Woodward had a chance to level immediately but his free header was kept out by the Millwall stopper.
Instead the hosts extended their lead, Howland netting his second goal after a solo run down the right ended with his angled finish going in at the near post..
A third was not long in coming, and this time it was Whitby slotting home from six yards after a scramble in the box saw the ball fall to the forward’s feet.
The Swans continued to battle and found a way back into the game before the break. Woodward picked up a long cross-field pass and Davies was on hand to finish after a Cameron Llewellyn lay-off from the right.
But the visitors’ task of salvaging a point was made even more difficult as the Lions added a fourth before the interval, Heywood with the simple tap-in from close range.
Millwall started the second period in control, and it took crucial blocks from Iestyn Jones and Osian Williams to prevent them adding to the scoreline.
Swansea looked to respond, and Davies produced a delightful touch to pick out Griffith sprinting through the middle, but the 17-year-old was crowded out by a sea of Millwall defenders before he could take a shot.
But Swansea keeper Ewan Griffith was tested again moments later as he produced a fine a one-handed save to prevent Howland completing a hat-trick.
The Swans had a period of extended pressure in the closing stages, and Woodward almost trimmed the deficit as he fired wide after being played through on goal by a ball over the top.
Harlan Perry's free-kick from distance then clipped the post, with the follow-up effort being blocked away for a corner.
However, the Lions would add a fifth in stoppage time as Howland hammered the ball in from the edge of the six-yard box to seal his treble.
Swansea City Under-18s: Ewan Griffiths (captain), Brogan Popham (Osian Williams 45), Jack Cooper (Teo Minchev 60), Jacob Cook, Iestyn Jones, Harlan Perry, Cameron Llewellyn (Callum Jones 60), Yori Griffith, Rohan Davies, Thomas Woodward, Josh Pescatore.
Unused Substitutes: Tom Wright.