Under-18s edged out by Chelsea

Swansea City Under-18s were edged out by Chelsea as the academy side lost 2-1 in Premier League South at Landore on Friday.

The London side took the lead 11 minutes into the game when England Under-18 international Tino Anjorin drove a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The Blues were spurred on by their early advantage as Ben Erickson cleared the danger from George Nunn’s teasing cross.

Nunn hit the crossbar from the resulting corner, but the young Swans could not keep out Sam McClelland’s follow up as Chelsea took a 2-0 advantage after a quarter of an hour.

But Swansea’s persistence paid off as they pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark when midfielder Daniel Williams rifled an impressive 25-yard strike past Karlo Ziger into the top corner.

Swansea goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd was called into action to keep out striker Armando Broja’s deflected shot and maintain the 2-1 scoreline at the break.

Chelsea crafted a superb attack and almost extended their lead four minutes into the second half only for Nunn to fire his effort inches wide of the post.

Swansea continued to fight for an equaliser and almost delivered when substitute Jayden Reid floated in a teasing cross from the byline that almost found Marc Walsh in the box.

Minutes later Walsh lost his marker to race into the area from the left but Arnor Gudjohnsen saw his touch at the near post somehow kept out by Ziger.

Pierre Ekwah threatened to score Chelsea’s third, but the substitute’s long-range effort was deflected narrowly over the bar before Reid tested Ziger at the other end.

Gudjohnsen’s late attack forced Ziger off his line as Chelsea managed to scramble the ball clear.

The defeat leaves the Swans still searching for their first win of the season as they prepare to face Reading away on September 22 (1pm).

Swans U18s: Nathan Shepperd, Ryan Bevan, Luke Motruk, Daniel Williams, Cameron Evans, Ben Erickson (capt), Shaquille Wynter-Coles (Jayden Reid, 28), Tivonge Rushesha, Arnor Gudjohnsen, Owen Evans (Will Richard, 84), Marc Walsh (Bradley Gibbings, 70).

Subs not used: Josh Hutchings, Jake Thomas.

Chelsea U18s: Karlo Ziger, Dynel Simeu, Jack Wakley, Sam McCelland, Ian Maatesen, Clinton Mola (capt) (Jonathon Russell, 52), James Clark (Marcel Lavinier, 90+2), Tino Anjordin, Armando Broja (Pierre Ekwah, 66), Marcel Lewis, George Nunn.

Subs not used: Jake Askev, Henry Lawrence.