Preview | Nottingham Forest U21s v Swansea City U21s
Swansea City Under-21s are back in Premier League Cup action on Friday evening as they travel to take on Nottingham Forest at Loughborough (7pm kick-off).
The Swans have enjoyed a positive start to their cup campaign having won their opening two games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall respectively, placing them top of Group G with six points.
Forest, meanwhile, also won their opening fixture of the competition with a 1-0 victory over Wolves. The Premier League outfit are enjoying a fine run of form in their domestic league, and are sitting in third place in Premier League Two.
It's the first time the two sides have met in over five years, last facing each other in the Professional Development League in September 2020.
Pre-match views
Coach Anthony Wright: "We're really pleased with the start we've made in the competition so far, against two very tough teams.
"Forest are a new side to this squad, but we prepare for every game in our way and we hope to made it three wins from three on Friday."
Previous meeting - September 11, 2020
Josh Thomas scored a hat-trick as Swansea City Under-23s beat high-flying Nottingham Forest 4-2 at Landore.
Kai Ludvigsen was also on target with his first goal at this level as Jon Grey’s side got back to winning ways in the Professional Development League.
The hosts took the lead in the 27th minute with Thomas applying the finishing touch to a fantastic one-touch move, for his first under-23s goal in over a year.
He added a second eight minutes later, latching onto Ludvigsen’s clever pass before slotting past Forest keeper Jordan Wright.
The visitors, who arrived in South Wales with seven wins from seven, reduced the deficit shortly afterwards courtesy of Ateef Konate’s brilliant free-kick.
But the Swans restored their two-goal advantage just after the restart with Thomas completing his hat-trick after the ball had rebounded kindly for the striker.
Ludvigsen then got in on the act in the 55th minute, turning home Matthew Blake’s inviting corner from close range.
Forest pulled a goal back through Alex Gibson-Hammond, but it was no more than a consolation as the Swans registered a well-deserved victory.
Swansea City U23s: Jamie Searle, Jacob Jones, Declan John, Erick Kenko, Kai Ludvigsen, Scott Butler, Bradley Gibbings, Ryan Bevan, Josh Thomas, Morgan Clarke, Matthew Blake (capt).
Substitutes: Tyler Evans, Adrian Akande, Rio Campbell, Adnaan Moti, Panashe Makokowe.