Report | Swansea City U18s 2 Peterborough United U18s 1

Swansea City Under-18s kicked off their Professional Development League campaign with victory over Peterborough United at Landore.

Thomas Woodward scored the opening goal of the afternoon when he finished from an Aimar Govea delivery shortly after the break.

And Govea bagged a goal of his own with a wonderful strike from outside the box with 11 minutes remaining.

Tyler Winters converted a penalty in stoppage time for Posh, after 10 minutes were added on, but the home side claimed all three points.

The fixture marked first competitive starts for Jack Fanning and Sammy Henia-Kamau after joining in January and July respectively. Whilst it was the first game for this season's new scholars as they made the step up into the professional development phase.

The reigning PDL Cup champions made a fast start, pressing with plenty of energy and showing real pace and purpose in attack. 

But the first clear chance of the contest went the way of the Swans. Govea’s free-kick was flicked on to Callum Deacon by Fanning, but the latter saw his shot palmed away for a corner. 

Peterborough were soon pressing at the other end, and it took a superb clearance off the line from Deacon to head away George Hollie’s close-range effort. 

The Posh then went agonisingly close to an opener twice in quick succession as Harley Mills’ free-kick went narrowly off target before Hollie’s strike from distance clipped the near post.  

Govea delivered another free-kick into the area as Cameron Llewellyn was fouled down the right. The ball bounced off a few heads before ultimately reaching Deacon, whose header was well caught by Jake West in the Posh goal.

Swansea put increasing numbers forward in search of an opener before the break. Llewellyn’s cross in from the right just evaded the head of Henia-Kamau, who just could not get contact as he raced up in support.

It was goalless at the break, but Kit Margetson was called into action seconds after the restart. Dennis Kelmendi’s curled shot looked on course to find the net, but the Swans keeper was equal to it.

But the Swans were soon on the front foot. Govea floated a superb ball to the far post after an excellent run down the left, where Woodward stretched to drill the ball into the net.

The home side continued to press as they looked to extend their advantage. Henia-Kamau came closest to doubling the Swans lead, but his chipped effort was blocked by Noah Freeman.

The visitors were certainly not out of it, as they continued to press higher up the field, enjoying the majority of possession in the Swans half.

And the men in blue thought they had found an equaliser when they found the net, but the referee ruled the strike out for offside. Instead, the Swans doubled their lead a few minutes later.

Govea's quick footwork in the centre of the Peterborough half allowing him enough space to fire the ball into the top corner. 

During 10 minutes of added time, the visitors were awarded a penalty due to a foul in the box, and Winters converted for the Posh, but the Swans held on to their lead to secure their first win of the season.

Swansea City Under-18s: Kit Margetson, Jack Fanning, Arthur Parker, Jacob Cook, Jack Cooper (captain) (Harlan Perry 80), Callum Deacon, Cameron Llewellyn (Caio Ifans 65), Thomas Woodward (Ramon Rees-Siso 65), Sammy Henia-Kamau, Yori Griffith (Iestyn Jones 80), Aimar Govea. 

Unused Substitutes: Ewan Griffiths.

Peterborough United Under-18s: Jake West, Noah Freeman, Harley Mills, Tom Unwin, Luke Gilbert, Joe Toynton, Dennis Kelmendi (Max Beech 90), Josh Marcon, Tyler Winters, George Hollie (Joel Odei-Larbi 68). Torin Ntege (Andre Changunda 45') 

Unused Substitutes: Joe Davies.