Swansea City Under-21s registered their sixth Professional Development League win this campaign with victory over Charlton Athletic on Friday evening.

Swansea raced into a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes thanks to superb finishes from Thomas Woodward and captain Dan Watts. 

Morgan Bates scored the Swans' third goal in fine fashion late on as he struck home from distance.

Caleb Demery returned to the squad after the forward picked up an injury in July following the Swans' Nathaniel MG Cup victory over Carmarthen Town.

The Swans showed early aggression in their press in the opening stages, and created the first chance of note. Harlan Perry delivered a ball in to the path of Bates, the striker raced into the area but George Hardy pushed away a strike from the 19-year-old. 

And the continued aggressive press brought about the opener on 13 minutes, Woodward rifling a deflected strike above the outstretched Hardy from outside of the box and into the roof of the net. 

The visitors offered a threat from the restart, with Swans keeper Evan Anderson making a fingertip save to deny a Patrick Casey effort.

But the Swans stormed into a two-goal lead, and it came via a fine finish from the skipper Watts, who unleashed an unstoppable volley into the bottom corner.

Iestyn Jones put his body on the line to block a close-range effort from Reuben Reid, before Anderson was called into action once again with a fine diving save to deny a free-kick from Jacob Sala to ensure the home side retained their cushion at the break.

Swansea started the second period brightly, and a sweeping attack between Zac Jeanes and Bates worked the ball to Woodward and he made no mistake to turn the ball in from a tight angle, only for the assistant referee to rule the goal offside.

And there was a moment of madness in the box seconds later as Hardy had to make a triple save, with Yori Griffith hitting the woodwork before Josh Pescatore struck high and wide. 

The hosts were enjoying plenty of the ball, and another fluent team move almost had the Swans three goals ahead when Griffith's through ball was met by Bates, but his strike deflected out for a corner which came to nothing.

However, Swansea would strike on 90 minutes after Bates produced a wonderful finish, following excellent work from substitute Demery.

Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Anderson, Sam Parker (Zac Jeanes 45), Callum Deacon (Ramon Rees-Siso 52), Harlan Perry (Carter Heywood 67), Arthur Parker, Iestyn Jones, Josh Pescatore, Dan Watts (captain) (Caleb Demery 80), Morgan Bates, Thomas Woodward, Yori Griffith.

Substitutes: Thomas Wright.