Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.