Report | Queens Park Rangers U18s 4 Swansea City U18s 3
Swansea City Under-18s suffered heartbreak on the road after Queens Parker Rangers came back to win in a seven-goal thriller in the Professional Development League.
The Swans opened the scoring through Rohan Davies, but the youngster’s goal would be cancelled out almost immediately as Ridwamalayi Hassan netted the equaliser.
Cameron Llewellyn struck before the break with an excellent left-footed finish into the top corner, however, Hassan would level again early on in the second period.
Jack Fanning put the Swans’ ahead again after converting from a corner-kick, but QPR got back on terms again through Jake Leahy before snatching the winner with less than 10 minutes left of normal play as Hassan completed his hat-trick.
There were two changes to the Swansea starting XI that claimed a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town last time out.
Teo Minchev came in for Arthur Parker - who had his first start for Swansea City Under-21s in their 2-1 comeback against Colchester United on Friday - whilst Josh Pescatore and Cameron Llewellyn come in for Thomas Searle and Yori Griffith respectively.
Both sides played some promising football in the opening 10 minutes but were unable to make their opportunities count.
The closest the Swans came in this period was an Aimar Govea close-range effort which was fired straight at the QPR keeper after a neat one-two between Harlan Perry and Thomas Woodward.
QPR’s first clear chance came shortly before the 20-minute mark as Hassan sent a strike from the edge of the box goalward, but Iestyn Jones had plenty of time to clean the danger.
The Swans started to look comfortable and Davies flashed a strong effort wide following a lay-off from Govea.
But the duo would be involved again as the Swans took the lead. Davies turning the ball in from six yard after linking up well with Govea once again.
However, the lead was shortlived. After the restart, the hosts drove forward immediately and Hassan chipped the ball in from the left to find the back of the net.
Govea - causing problems down the left flank again - and Davies combined well, this time picking out Woodward in the box before the keeper got down to palm the ball away.
Just on the stroke of half-time, the visitors regained the lead and it was a brilliant left-footed strike from Llewellyn from outside of the box.
Like the first half, both sides started the second period evenly but this time the hosts were rewarded for their efforts as following a Rangers' corner, Hassan was found in space and volleyed home the equaliser.
Just beyond the hour-mark, the Swans regained the lead, skipper Fanning slotting home from a Govea corner.
But history repeated itself as QPR piled on the pressure from the restart and drew level again after a curling effort from Leahy.
And Hassan would complete his hat-trick inside the final 10 minutes of normal time to give QPR the win.
Swansea City Under-18s: Kit Margetson, Jack Fanning (captain) (Osian Williams 67), Teo Minchev (Callum Jones 61), Jacob Cook, Iestyn Jones, Harlan Perry, Cameron Llewellyn (Ben Phillips 54), Josh Pescatore, Rohan Davies, Thomas Woodward (Thomas Searle 54), Aimar Govea.
Substitutes: Ewan Griffiths.