REACTION: FAW YOUTH CUP SEMI-FINAL

The Academy staff give their take on County's 2-0 defeat to Swansea City in the FAW Youth Cup semi-final.

The Swans scored a goal in each half to deny the County youngsters a place in the final of the FAW Youth Cup.

In an even contest, Kyle Copp scored from the spot to give Swansea a halftime lead, which was doubled by a measured finish by Matthew Blake, fifteen minutes before the final whistle. 

Speaking after the game, Academy coach, Byron Anthony, praised the players efforts.

"I thought overall it was a very even game."

"Both teams had to cope with a difficult surface and conditions all evening weren't great."

"The boys are gutted in the changing room after the game and are a little disappointed in how the game panned out. We almost got ourselves back into the game late on with a finish from Kyron Tolland that was flagged for offside, but I thought the lads did well against a Premier League outfit."

"Their second goal is a great finish to be fair and any time you concede a goal like that you hold your hands up and congratulate the finish."

"We just have to make sure the lads keep their heads up and know that they have done the Club proud."

Due to the rules and regulations of the FAW Youth Cup, the U19's were able to call on first-year pro Kieran Parselle, who paired newly signed pro Liam Angel at centre-back.

"Kieran is a big presence and he was last year when he was involved with the Youth team," added Anthony

"He is only a young pro, but already a model proffesional and he helps organise people and is a good leader to have in the dressing room."

Byron believes that the players will pick themselves up and focus on their remaining Merit League fixtures.

"We are still involved in the Merit League, although we haven't got a game this weekend."

"The boys are in on Thursday for education, so they will have a couple of days recovery, before focusing on our remaining fixtures."

"As a academy we are working hard behind the scenes to make the academy setup even better, so we are taking strides forward and developing. 

"It's a good time to be at the Club."

Academy Director Grant Kalaher added, "I thought we were really unlucky this evening."

"The lads did well to limit Swansea and force them into doings things that they weren't comfortable in doing."

"We had two great chances and if those go in it changes the game. Overall we are all really pleased with the lads performance."


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