Russell Martin hails academy production line after derby goals

Head coach Russell Martin hailed Swansea City’s academy production line after two of the three goals in derby victory at Cardiff were scored by Landore alumni.

After Joel Piroe had opened the scoring at Cardiff City Stadium, Liam Cullen doubled Swansea’s lead when he stopped to head home the rebound after another Piroe effort had been pushed onto the post.

Cardiff fought back to level the game at 2-2, but Ben Cabango struck a 99th-minute winner after Jay Fulton’s strike had come back off a post.

A number of academy players and graduates have featured during Martin’s tenure, and he says the work on the club’s player pathway will continue to be important moving forward.

“What a brilliant story for us as a club, and for them as players,” said Martin.

“The academy is going to be so important, and we spend a lot of time with those guys and watching them and having them as part of our group.

“During the international break I went over to Spain to see how the guys were doing with Wales Under-21s, and Azeem with Scotland, too.

“It’s really important for us. We had Cameron Congreve here for the game, he didn’t make the squad but he was with us, his parents were here cheering the team on in the stands.

“Ben Lloyd sent us a message of him on the bus to the game wearing his shirt, and he will be another one who will be in with us in the first team if we are here long enough.

“It’s massive, the academy is so important, it has been a big part of what we are trying to build.

“They spend a lot of time with us, the support between us has been great and long may that continue.”