11am 24 January 2015
Under 18 Professional Development League Two
Swansea City U18 2 Crystal Palace U18 4 (att 77)
Swansea use a couple of venues for youth team games, most are played at Fairwood, developed by the club in conjunction with Swansea University, but a few, including this one, are instead at the Landore training ground, not far from the Liberty Stadium.
It's a newish facility, with a two-tier building housing changing rooms and offices, beyond which are three parallel pitches, running widthways. This game was played on the one nearest the changing rooms, beyond it a second pitch has a trio of small seated stands, and beyond that is an all-weather pitch. All three are floodlit.
This was the cliched game of two halves, or rather a game of the first 40 minutes and the following 50. Little of note happened during much of the first half, and I thought I'd be lucky to see a goal. Then Palace seized on a rare opportunity to go ahead five minuted before half time.
The second half was much more entertaining. Swansea started the half on the front foot, and it wasn't long before they turned the game around to lead 2-1. But palace weren't to be denied, and played some good football as they scored three to run out convincing winners.
I enjoyed my visit to Swansea, who unlike some clubs at this level welcome supporters to academy games (Brighton take note). I'm yet to see the club's youngsters play at Fairwood, so may be back in Swansea before the season ends.
Under 18 Professional Development League Two
Swansea City U18 2 Crystal Palace U18 4 (att 77)
Swansea use a couple of venues for youth team games, most are played at Fairwood, developed by the club in conjunction with Swansea University, but a few, including this one, are instead at the Landore training ground, not far from the Liberty Stadium.
It's a newish facility, with a two-tier building housing changing rooms and offices, beyond which are three parallel pitches, running widthways. This game was played on the one nearest the changing rooms, beyond it a second pitch has a trio of small seated stands, and beyond that is an all-weather pitch. All three are floodlit.
This was the cliched game of two halves, or rather a game of the first 40 minutes and the following 50. Little of note happened during much of the first half, and I thought I'd be lucky to see a goal. Then Palace seized on a rare opportunity to go ahead five minuted before half time.
The second half was much more entertaining. Swansea started the half on the front foot, and it wasn't long before they turned the game around to lead 2-1. But palace weren't to be denied, and played some good football as they scored three to run out convincing winners.
I enjoyed my visit to Swansea, who unlike some clubs at this level welcome supporters to academy games (Brighton take note). I'm yet to see the club's youngsters play at Fairwood, so may be back in Swansea before the season ends.
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