NEWPORT County AFC’s quest for FAW Youth Cup glory is over for another season following a semi-final defeat to Swansea City.

Kyle Copp’s first-half penalty and Matthew Blake’s looping effort after the break were enough to send the Swans into the final at County’s expense.

County did create several good chances, Corey Shephard having arguably the best of them when his side trailed 1-0.

A windy GenQuip Stadium in Port Talbot hosted two teams that between them had scored 35 goals on their way to the last four.

Given that 22 of those came from Swansea players in defeats of Llanidloes and Llandudno, it was the side all in white that had enjoyed the more comfortable progress up to the semis.

While the Swans’ toughest tie was against rivals Cardiff in round three, County went into the semi-final on the back of some tight tussles with Cardiff Met and Port Talbot.

Their 6-3 victory over Bangor in the quarters was more straightforward than those two previous games.

Probably as expected, Swansea made all the early running and County keeper Elliot Matthews had to claw away an Owain Jones effort inside two minutes.

Matthews then turned a Copp shot around the post before County created their first opening of the encounter when Dafydd Jones fired wide.

Swansea’s Jordan Garrick might have broken the deadlock on 25 minutes but he couldn’t keep his close-range header down.

However, the Swans did go in front when Daniel James was brought down in the box and referee Leigh Jones pointed to the spot.

There was a bit of debate among the Swansea players as to who was going to take the penalty but first-year pro Copp stepped up to beat Matthews with ease.

County came into the tie more as the half wore on and Dafydd Jones went close to levelling proceedings with a header from six yards.

At only 1-0 down, County knew they were still in the contest and Shephard had a glorious chance to equalise on 53 minutes.

Latching onto a loose ball, Shephard went through one-on-one with Swansea keeper Lewis Thomas, only to poke the ball just wide of the upright.

At the other end, Joe Rodon miscued a header from point-blank range, while James was dispossessed in the nick of time after leaving Nathan Mathias for dead.

James then curled a delicious effort a matter of inches wide as Swansea looked to put daylight between themselves and County.

But that all-important second goal did arrive in the 75th minute.

A deep cross to the left of the County area found Blake and, whether he meant it or not, his volley looped over a stranded Matthews.

County battled to the end but they couldn’t find a way past a solid Swansea defence.

County: Matthews, Mathias, Wood (James 71), Young (Touray 76), Angel, Parselle, Bamford, Shephard, Tolland, Matondo (Kavanagh 60), Jones

Subs not used: Waterhouse, Evans

Booked: Wood

Referee: Leigh Jones