U18s claim win at West Ham

Swansea City Under-18s maintained their unbeaten start to the season in Premier League South with a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham.

The young Swans took the lead inside five minutes as captain Brandon Cooper headed home Matt Blake’s corner.

The U18s doubled their advantage at Little Heath ten minutes later when a well-placed through ball from Oliver Cooper found Matt Roberts to fire home.

Rosaire Longelo got West Ham back into the contest midway through the first half with an impressive long-range strike with the score 2-1 at the break.

Swansea found themselves under pressure throughout large spells of the second half but defended well as the home side battled to find an equaliser.

The Swans could have put the game beyond doubt only for Anor Gudjohnsen to miss from the penalty spot.

However the U18s dug in well and held on earn their second win of the season and move fifth in Premier League South.

West Ham U18s: Rihards Matrevic, Ben Johnson (Sam Caiger, 46), Jay Mingi, Ben Wells, Reece Hannam; Louie Watson (Emmanuel Longelo), Conor Coventry, Rosaire Longelo, Bernardo Rosa, Jeremy Ngakia (Amadou Diallo, 83’), Doneil Henry

Swans U18s: Alex Lang, Joe Lewis, Ben Cabango, Brandon Cooper (Capt), Matthew Blake, Tom Price (Daniel Williams, 90+3’), Kees De Boer, Mason Jones-Thomas (Finley Hazell, 53), Oliver Cooper, Jack Fox (Arnor Gudjohnsen, 62), Matt Roberts