**Swansea City Fall to Exeter City in Narrow Pre-Season Test**
Swansea City’s preparation for the upcoming football season hit a stumbling block as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Exeter City in a tightly contested pre-season friendly at St James Park, Devon. The match, staged to mark Pierce Sweeney’s testimonial, was a reminder of the fine margins in football and the work still to be done ahead of the new campaign.
The solitary goal of the fixture came early in the second half. Exeter’s Sonny Cox proved to be the hero for the hosts, capitalising on a clever passage of play down the left side. Within 90 seconds of the restart, Cox was on hand to convert a low cross, giving the Grecians a lead that they would ultimately not relinquish.
For Swansea, the afternoon was one of missed opportunities and disallowed goals. The visitors found themselves frustrated after having two goals ruled out by the officials. Defender Cameron Burgess looked to have opened the scoring when he powered home a header from a corner, but celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee’s flag for a foul inside the area. Moments later, Zan Vipotnik thought he had found the net after latching onto a powerful volley from a Josh Tymon free-kick, only for another infringement to end Swansea’s hopes of levelling the scores.
Despite the setbacks, the Swans continued to probe and create chances, with Ronald, Goncalo Franco, Melker Widell and Cameron Congreve all going close. The Welsh side peppered the Exeter goal but struggled with cutting edge in the final third, an issue that has caused concern for manager and supporters alike as the club seeks to build momentum before competitive action resumes.
Amongst those leading Swansea’s charge was Wales international Liam Cullen, who nearly found the equaliser midway through the second half with a well-struck free-kick. His efforts, however, were thwarted, and he was replaced by Ollie Cooper as time ticked away. Defender Josh Key also returned to familiar surroundings, facing his former club for the first time since departing two years ago in what proved to be a notable subplot.
Exeter, meanwhile, maintained their unbeaten pre-season run. Lawrence Vigouroux, the home side’s keeper, produced a stunning save to deny Finnish winger Ilmari Niskanen, who made an enterprising run and unleashed a powerful shot from distance. Vigouroux’s agility and sharp reflexes ensured that Swansea’s attacking efforts did not alter the course of proceedings.
On the occasion of his testimonial, Pierce Sweeney featured for 30 minutes to mark his imminent tenth season in Exeter colours, underlining a remarkable commitment to the club. His presence was warmly received by the St James Park faithful and added an extra dimension to the contest.
Off the pitch, transfer activity remains at the forefront of Swansea’s focus. Head coach Luke Williams has previously suggested that more recruits are needed before the transfer window closes, highlighting a significant turnover of personnel during the off-season. “We’ve brought in some good players, but it’s important to ensure the depth of the squad is where it needs to be,” Williams told local media. The club is expected to remain active in the market, weighing options for further arrivals and inevitable departures as the summer unfolds.
As the final whistle blew, Swansea were left reflecting on missed chances and lessons to take from their defeat. These pre-season games, while not pivotal in terms of results, provide invaluable opportunities for tactical experimentation and squad assessment. The challenge now will be to translate their positive moments into consistent performances once the competitive season begins.
For Exeter, their preparations continue on a positive note, buoyed by the victory and an unbeaten start to their pre-season schedule. For Swansea, the attention swiftly shifts to integrating new faces and sharpening their attacking instincts as both clubs build towards what promises to be an intriguing campaign ahead.