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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

What just happened in the Swansea City friendly no one got to see

Swansea City opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 win over JD Cymru Premier outfit Haverfordwest County in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Fairwood.

Goals from Joel Piroe and Josh Thomas were enough to give Michael Duff's side victory on the day, against a well-drilled Haverfordwest outfit.

Duff, taking charge of his first game since taking over from Russell Martin, named two separate line-ups for this clash, with several first-team stars getting some much-needed game-time.

READ MORE: Joel Piroe's telling comments on future amid Leicester City, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Everton interest

Despite speculation continuing to build over his future, Piroe produced an impressive first-half performance and handed his side the lead 10 minutes before half-time.

Atalanta and Leicester City are understood to have stepped up efforts to sign the Dutchman this summer, and he offered a timely reminder of his prowess in front of goal by nodding home a teasing Matt Grimes corner.

Chances were otherwise largely at a premium during a tightly-contested first half that saw the Swans dominate possession.

The second half saw Duff send out a fresh XI containing the likes of Jamie Paterson, Jay Fulton and Olivier Ntcham, but it was Thomas who doubled the lead, firing a low effort into the bottom corner of the net, six minutes from time.

On the whole, Duff will have been pleased to see so many key first-team stars get valuable minutes, although new signings Josh Ginnelly and Josh Key weren't involved.

Swansea continue their preparations for the new season with another behind-closed-doors game on Tuesday, with Danish giants Brondby set to visit Fairwood for a 1pm kick-off.

Their first clash in front of fans is pencilled in for July 21, where they will travel to League One side Oxford United.

Swansea City First Half XI: Fisher, Thomas, Cooper, Naughton, Wood, Lloyd, Allen, Grimes, Cooper, Piroe, Cullen.

Swansea City Second Half XI: Webb, Cotterill, Cabango, Darling, Abdulai, Congreve, Paterson, Fulton, Ntcham, Whittaker, Josh Thomas.

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