U18s suffer 3-1 defeat

Swansea City Under-18s were unable to make it three league wins on-the-bounce after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra at Fairwood on Saturday.

Kyle Copp equalised after Crewe had taken an initial second-half lead, but a late brace by Callum Saunders saw the visitors take all three points in the Professional Development League 2 fixture.

After a tightly contested first-half, the young Swans went behind early on in the second period after they failed to defend a long ball played over the top by the visitors. 

But the Swans responded well to the setback, and were rewarded for their response when Copp scored from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute.

Clearly buoyed by Copp's equaliser, Cameron Toshack's side took the ascendancy and went close to taking the lead as Alex Samuel, Jordan Sherman and Owain Jones all had chances to score Swansea's second.

However, with ten minutes left of play, Saunders restored the visitors' advantage before adding his second and Crewe's third from the penalty spot, deep into added time.

Tom Atyeo, who was sent off after receiving his second booking of the game, was harshly adjudged to have brought down his opponent inside the box.

Speaking after the game, U18s coach Toshack felt the scoreline wasn't a true reflection of the game, but acknowledged the fact that his side need to cut out costly individual errors.

"We were the better side over the course of the game, but individual errors cost us," admitted Toshack.

"We have to improve at both ends of the pitch - defending against the long ball over the top, as well as finishing off the chances we create in the final third.

"Having said that, if we eradicate the individual errors, as well as dominate possession and create chances like we did today, I am sure we will win more games than we lose."