U18s return to winning ways against Brighton

Swansea City Under-18s bounced back from consecutive defeats to beat Brighton 2-1 in Premier League South courtesy of goals from Matthew Roberts and Oliver Cooper.

The Seagulls started brightly at Landore but were unable to capitalise on their efforts as the young Swans started to take control of the game.

Swansea forward Oliver Cooper came close to breaking the deadlock on 20 minutes but volleyed his effort narrowly wide of the post. 

Midfielder Tom Price had an excellent first half, and it was his pinpoint through ball that put Matthew Roberts through on goal to put the home side ahead on the half hour. 

The home side did well to hold onto their lead in the second half, with Brighton pushing for an equaliser. 

But it was Swansea who doubled their lead as Oliver Cooper curled his shot past Brighton goalkeeper Tom McGill into the top corner. 

Brighton continued pushing as Alex Cochrane scored an excellent free-kick late into added time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Swans from getting their third win of the season. 

Saturday’s victory puts the young Swans level on points with Brighton - keeping them sixth in the Premier League South table with 11 points.

Swans U18s: Alex Lang, Rhydian Williams, Joe Lewis, Tom Price, Ben Cabango, Brandon Cooper (capt), Mason Jones-Thomas (Bradley Gibbings, 93), Dan Williams, Matthew Roberts (Shaquille Wynter-Coles, 85), Oliver Cooper, Matthew Blake

Subs not used: Kees De Boer, Jack Fox, Nathan Sheppard.

Brighton U18s: Tom McGill (capt), Hamish Morrison, Haydon Owen (Coulumbus Ibeh, 65), Charlie Ferguson (Tyrese Fornah, 65), Tareq Shihab, Ben Clark-Eden, Ryan Longman, Jordan Araujo, Danny Cashman, Issac Hutchinson (Stefan Ljubicic, 65), Alex Cochrane.

Subs not used: Mamadou Kone, George Bentley.