Round-up | Academy friendlies

Swansea City Under-21s gained more valuable pre-season minutes as they faced off against Southern League Premier side Merthyr Town, with the result finishing 3-2 in the Martyrs' favour.

The first half was an even affair. Liam Smith and Joe Thomas had strikes blocked from close range for the visitors, before Joel Cotterill’s free-kick on the 20-minute mark flew within inches of the top corner. 

Five minutes later, the Swans found themselves behind after a bobbling effort from the edge of the area found its way into the net, before the hosts doubled their lead from the penalty spot after a foul in the area.

Immediately after the restart, the visitors halved the deficit through Iwan Morgan, who tapped in a rebound following a Cotterill delivery.  

The Martyrs responded and restored their two-goal advantage not long after, but Scottish youth international Smith brought the gap down to one goal for the second time in the fixture, slotting the ball into the bottom corner after some good work from substitute Kyrell Wilson down the right.

Meanwhile, Swansea City Under-18s played out a 0-0 draw against Exeter City Under-18s at Fairwood in a behind-closed-doors fixture.

The result followed on from a 4-4 draw against The New Saints development side, and a comfortable 7-0 win over Newport County Under-18s on Wednesday morning.

The under-18s next face Crystal Palace away on Wednesday (1pm).