. . . from the Liberty Stadium
The Swans Under-21s suffered a disappointing defeat against Charlton at the Liberty Stadium.
Kristian O’Leary’s men made a fine start as they took an early lead through Lee Lucas, before Charlton went on to create several openings, notably Morgan Fox who saw a rasping effort come back off the woodwork.
The visitors drew level on the stroke of half-time as Semi Ajeyi tapped home, and they wrapped up the win in the second period with well worked goals from Joe Piggott and Bradley Morgan.
However, the game did see Garry Monk come through 90 minutes as the skipper continued to improve his match fitness after injury.
Curtis Obeng joined the 33-year-old in the starting XI as the pair made up the home side’s quota of overage players in the squad.
Rory Donnelly continued to lead the line for the Swans as the Irishman looked to build on his first-team appearance at Crawley last week.
Meanwhile, Charlton included former Norwich and Coventry midfielder Sammy Clingan in their starting line-up as the Addicks looked to build on their single league win so far.
SWANS: David Cornell, Jazz Richards, Daniel Alfei, Garry Monk, Curtis Obeng, Henry Jones, Josh Sheehan, Lee Lucas, Gwion Edwards, Rory Donnelly, James Loveridge. Subs: Oliver Davies, Liam Shephard, Scott Tancock, Alex Samuel, Sam Evans.
CHARLTON: John Sullivan, Harry Osbourne, Morgan Fox, Semi Ajeyi, Harry Lennon, Sammy Clingan, Courtney Harris, Ruben Bover, Bradley Jordan, Joe Piggott, Callum Harriott. Subs: Dillon Phillips, James Ashton, Harry Gerrard, Ollie Muldoon.
The home side made the perfect start under the Liberty lights as they took the lead after just two minutes.
After winning a free-kick just outside the box, James Loveridge’s effort looked to be a comfortable save for Addicks keeper John Sullivan, but the youngster fumbled the ball over the line.
Charlton responded well to the early set-back and nearly levelled when Callum Harriott saw his shot flash inches wide of the left-hand post.
The visitors came close once more on 12 minutes when Morgan Fox’s rasping 25-drive came back off the post.
Jazz Richards came to the Swans' rescue five minutes before the break when he produced a fine last-ditch tackle to deny Joe Piggott, before Harriott came close again as his shot took a deflection before drifting past the post.
From the resulting corner, Morgan Fox was allowed a header on goal, but his effort dropped a fraction wide.
However, Charlton were not to be denied and they levelled matters in first-half stoppage time as Semi Ajeyi bundled home after Ruben Bover's corner wasn't cleared by the Swans defence.
Half-time: Swans 1 Charlton 1
Both sides started the second half brightly as Charlton had a couple of efforts blocked before Rory Donnelly drew a comfortable save from John Sullivan.
Shortly after, Gwion Edwards saw a left foot shot tipped over the bar before the visitors took the lead with a fine goal.
The Swans gave away possession midway inside their own half and after Callum Harriott gathered the ball, he sent Bradley Morgan away and the midfielder squared for Joe Piggott to coolly slot past Cornell from 12 yards out.
Kris O’Leary then introduced youngster Alex Samuel and the winger made an instant impression as he jinked inside from the left channel before delivering a dangerous cross that saw Donnelly draw a smart save from Sullivan with a diving header.
The Swans then came close to an equaliser on 77 minutes when Garry Monk rose highest to meet Lee Lucas’s free-kick, but the defender could only head wide of the left-hand post.
It proved to be a pivotal moment because within two minutes Charlton extended their lead.
It was another slick move from the away side as Piggott fed Morgan inside the box and the midfielder lashed the ball past Cornell with a fine half-volley.
Donnelly wasted a good chance to pull one back for the Swans but his left foot shoot flew well wide from 12 yards out.