Swansea City U21 0-1 Dev Squad

Jordan's Brown's strike helped the Dev Squad to their third consecutive win
The West Ham United Development Squad continued their fantastic run  of form with a 1-0 away against Swansea City.

Jordan Brown’s strike just after the hour mark proved to be the difference between the two sides, after Sam Howes had saved a penalty early on.

In a blustery day in South Wales, conditions were nearly unplayable yet both sides ploughed on manly fully.

Terry Westley made several changes to the side that beat Derby County last week. Luka Belic made his first start for the Hammers since signing in the summer while youngsters Noha Sylvestre and Vashon Neufville made the step up from the U18s.

It was the hosts Swansea who made the most of the early exchanges going close after just two minutes.
It got better for the Swans when they were awarded a penalty for a trip on the edge of the box.

Upstepped Henry Jones yet Sam Howes read it and got quickly down to his right to make a great save.
This seemed to act as a wakeup call for the Dev Squad who looked to create a number of chances of their own. Jordan Brown was a willing runner while Belic looked to add a touch of glass acting as a number 10.

Despite the conditions, both sides played remarkably well. Sylvestre’s shot on the turn was deflected narrowly wide while Neufville delivered an excellent cross which Tremmel collected well.

Just before half-time, the Hammers had a strong shout for a penalty of their own after Belic was hauled down, however the referee was unmoved.

The second half started much like the first, with plenty of hard work and attrition but little to show for their efforts.

Amos Nasha tested Tremmel’s reflexes with a free-kick from 25-yards before Jordan Brown fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Having had a sight on goal, Brown made no mistake with his next chance just minutes later. The powerful forward did well, at an awkward height to steer it back past Tremmel following superb work from Alex Pike. With seemingly little on, the right-back beat his man before bursting into the box and cutting it back to Brown.

In an effort to see the game out, Westley bought on Kyle Knoyle in place of the impressive Luka Belic while Lewis Page replaced the impressive 16-year-old Vashon Neufville.

The Swans rallied late on but could not find the all-important equaliser as the Hammers held on to secure their fourth win in five games. The Dev Squad now face a quick turnaround as they play Exeter City in the Barclays U21 Premier League Cup on Wednesday.
 
Swansea City U21: Tremmel, Shephard (c), Hanley, Jones, Rodon, Kingsley, Jones, Maric, Biabi, James, Hedges

Subs: Copp, Zabret, Gogic, Dyson, Davies

West Ham United U21: Howes, Pike, Neufville (Page 81), Nasha, Onariase, Hendrie, Sylvestre, Makasi, Brown, Belic (Knoyle 76), Mavila

Subs: T.Brown, Dobson, Gordon

Goal: J.Brown 59