Llanelli 1 Swansea City U21 Development 2

Llanelli with no fewer than seven players making their first appearances in a Reds shirt, gave an excellent account of themselves in a hard working display against the Swansea City U21 Development side in a training game on rain soaked Stebonheath Park last night, almost matching their neighbours until tired legs proved crucial in the closing stages.

With the game in doubt due to the torrential weather, groundman Eddie Donne was the star during the day working miracles to get the pitch playable, in what was an important run out for both teams, the Reds with so many new players and trialists on show and the Swans needing game time after their match with Millwall had fallen victim to the weather the previous week.

The Reds fielded new defensive signings Lee Hartshorn and Alex Evans, while Dylan Blain and Nicky Holland slotted into midfield. Upfront was ex-Clevedon forward Jack McKenna and Polish striker Safian Skupinski. While another Polish player was named as a substitute, Reds new signing from Poznan, Ariel Mrowinski. The Swans were without Jazz Richards who has joined Crystal Palace on a loan deal but ex-Red Chris Llewellyn was back at Stebo as part of the Swans coaching staff.

Both teams started well trying to pass the ball from the back in what was to be horrendous conditions. Lloyd Grist was named the new Reds Captain and took up a forward role on the left for a player more accustomed to the left back slot. Midway though the first half it was Swansea who took the lead, Liam Sheppard slotting home to young Swans the advantage. Llanelli then lost Jack McKenna through injury with Ariel Mrowinski replacing him and wowing the small crowd on the night with a fantastic first touch in Welsh Football. Shortly before half time the Reds were back in it when referee Wayne Stephens adjudged Lloyd Grist to be fouled in the box and the skipper stepped up to confidently hammer the ball home to make it Llanelli 1 Swansea City 1 at the interval.

The second half again saw both teams trying to play football, incredible really when you consider the conditions, with Llanelli giving Dafydd Jones some game time in goals and James Secker replacing trialist Skupinski. The Reds midfield of Steff Lloyd, Dylan Blain, Nicky Holland and that man himself Gristy continued to work well and more than matched the Swans, but with the clock ticking down and a few tired legs out there it was Swansea who clinched the victory when substitute Sam Evans found the back of the Reds net.

All in all though everyone deserved credit, with the new backline gelling well on their first outing, Lee Hartshorn and Alex Evans linked up well, with fullbacks Adam Davies and Ryan Batley looking to get forward at every opportunity. Craig Williams, Jason Bowen and Craig Moses are all to come back to strengthen the squad for the kick off next week after being rested last night. Scott Evans is still recovering after a hernia operation, but is expected to be back in a few weeks, while Bob Jeffrey was looking to finalise his squad today before the transfer window closes tomorrow evening with two or three more signings.

Llanelli: Craig Morris (Dafydd Jones), Adam Davies, Alex Evans, Lee Hartshorn, Ryan Batley, Dylan Blain, Stephan Lloyd, Nicky Holland, Jack McKenna (Ariel Mrowinski), Safian Skupinski (James Secker) and Lloyd Grist. .

Swansea City: Oliver Davies, Gwion Edwards, Connor Roberts, Scott Tancock, Luke Williams (Alex Samuel), Liam Sheppard, Josh Sheehan, Tomas Atteyo (Joseph Jones), Lee Lucas (Henry Jones), Kurtis March, James Loveridge (Sam Evans).