Colchester United under-18s beaten at Swansea City

With four of their regular members playing and on the bench for the under-21s at Cardiff, it was an inexperienced U's squad turning out at Swansea.

Elliott Ward's side are still searching for a first league win since September which they so nearly got last week, only to be denied by a stoppage-time Cardiff equaliser.

Cameron Llewellyn, the son of former U's under-18 boss Chris Llewellyn, was outstanding for Swansea and provided four assists.

🗣 "We have Sheffield United on Wednesday, which will be a different challenge for us but one I think we are ready for, then Bournemouth on the weekend. We have had a few tough weeks against some good opposition, but all we need is a good win for motivation."

Cam Llewellyn 👊

— Swansea City Academy (@swans_academy) February 19, 2024

Swansea soon led with a very early goal by Sammy Henia-Kamau after just two minutes.

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Centre-back and captain Jack Fanning then hit the top netting with his header from an Aimar Govea corner, soon after.

Caio Ifans did well to win the ball outside the area to set up Thomas Woodward but his effort was held by keeper Jayden Peglar.

On 18 minutes following a one-two between Cameron Llewellyn and Henia-Kamau, the home forward was in on goal but his attempt was cleared away for a corner.

Woodward saw his effort blocked, with the follow up by Yori Griffiths tipped over by Peglar as Swansea pressed for further goals.

The U’s keeper was certainly a busy man as he pushed away Henia-Kamau's long-range strike but Swansea doubled their lead ten minutes before the break when Jack Fanning netted.

Colchester added a third goal from Thomas Woodward two minutes later and the same player then saw his header fly over the bar, before Cameron Llewellyn chipped effort went wide.

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After half time, Swansea continued to dominate and Govea's ball over the top saw Griffiths find the net but he was ruled offside.

Henia-Kamau saw two efforts blocked in quick succession before Jordan Cook fired wide of the far post.

Colchester pulled a goal back through their trialist on 64 minutes but two goals in two minutes from Yori Griffiths and Woodward sealed Swansea's win.

Colchester United U18: Jayden Peglar, Andrew Palmer-Brown, Rashaad Drysdale, Alamin Kosoko (sub Harvey Duggins, 80), Caiden Lewis, Fela Abidkun, Samson Uwanda (sub Alex Kokoshi, 45), Ronnie Harvey, Jamie Arnold (sub Lennox Emery, 80), Burak Sabah (sub Kai Martin, 80), trialist. Sub (not used): Jack Sexton.