Swans in seventh heaven after big victory

SWANSEA City began their pre-season schedule with a resounding 7-0 victory over local Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County in a behind-closed doors friendly.

A first-half hat-trick from Joel Piroe, and a brace from Liam Cullen after the break were at the heart of a dominant performance for the Swans, with Kyle Naughton and Jamie Paterson also chipping in with strikes of their own.

Boss Russell Martin named two line-ups for each half for the Friday afternoon clash at Fairwood, with new signings Nathan Wood, Harry Darling and Matthew Sorinola all starting from the off.

But it was Swans veteran Kyle Naughton that got the hosts up and running, powering home from the edge of the box after just eight minutes.

Dutchman Piroe then doubled the lead after a superb ball from highly-rated youngster Cameron Congreve, before doubling his tally just two minutes later.

Piroe then completed a quickfire hat-trick nine minutes before the interval.

Martin opted for an XI filled with youngsters and fringe players for the second half, but it was a familiar face who kept the scoreboard ticking over just six minutes after the break.

Having signed a new oneyear deal at the club earlier in the summer, Paterson is likely to be a big part of Martin’s plans next term, and he pitched in with a well-taken strike on 51 minutes, arrowing a rightfooted effort into the net from just inside the box.

The goals kept coming as the second half wore on, with Cullen first to pounce after Morgan Whittaker’s effort was initially saved.

Cullen was on hand again 19 minutes from time to complete his brace and round off a highly satisfactory day for the Swans.

Their first clash in front of fans is set to be the trip to Plymouth Argyle on July 12, with the Swans also scheduled to visit Charlton Athletic on Saturday July 23.

SWANSEA CITY FIRST HALF XI : Fisher, Latibeaudiere, Wood, Darling, Naughton, Grimes, Downes, Walsh, Congreve, Sorinola, Piroe

SECOND HALF: Benda, Abdulai, Cooper, Ogbeta, Garrick, Cooper, Fulton, Joseph, Whittaker, Paterson, Cullen