Swansea City: Michael Laudrup happy after Luke Moore strike seals first tour … – This is South Wales

Ventura 0, Swansea City 1

MICHAEL Laudrup was a happy man after seeing Swansea City gain the first win of their American tour.

Swansea claimed a hard-fought win over Ventura County Fusion — Luke Moore scoring the only goal — though the victory margin could easily have been greater.

Swansea looked the more dangerous team throughout against a team from the Premier Development League, the third tier of American football.

Wayne Routledge was especially unlucky, seeing a goal disallowed for offside, while also having strong appeals for a penalty turned down before the interval.

And young winger Gwion Edwards showed glimpses of his potential after the break, when Laudrup fielded a completely different XI.

Laudrup said: “We created seven or eight chances so I’m quite satisfied.

“We showed some good things. Everyone played 45 minutes and, together with the game against Colorado last week, I think I know a little more.”

Swansea had the best chance of the opening few minutes when Danny Graham beat the offside trap and closed in on keeper Earl Edwards, but chipped just wide.

Gyasi Zardes then saw his powerful drive fail to trouble Michel Vorm, while the Dutchman was alert to dive low to keep out Jamiel Hardware’s shot.

Swansea found the net in the 20th minute when Routledge touched home from Moore’s through ball, only to be denied by the offside flag.

But they only had to wait a matter of seconds before opening the scoring when Graham’s low cross was side-footed past Edwards by Moore from eight yards.

Left-back Ben Davies then tested Edwards after he was set free by Michu.

Swansea continued to put pressure on the home defence and looked to have won a penalty when Routledge was brought down by Edwards. But the referee saw it differently and awarded a corner.

Despite fielding a different side in the second half, Swansea stayed on top and Andrea Orlandi went close to doubling the advantage when his shot was pushed wide of the near post.

Leroy Lita then fired over from close range before Edwards went close with a right-foot effort.

He then latched onto Stephen Dobbie’s pass, only to be denied by the keeper.

On a rare foray into Swansea territory, Fusion centre-back Andy Iro saw his header bounce off the top of the bar.

But moments later the impressive Edwards made his way into the home area only to see his effort rise narrowly over the home bar.

Ventura: Edwards, McGlynn, Elmasri, Iro, Kiffe, Lopez, Morkovic, Hardware, Chongo, Zardes, Tsonis.

Swansea (first half): Vorm, Rangel, Chico, Tate, Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Michu, Routledge, Moore, Graham.

Swansea (second half): Tremmel, Richards, Monk, Williams, Bessone, Agustien, Gower, Orlandi, Edwards, Lita, Dobbie.