Report | Queens Park Rangers U23s 3 Swansea City U23s 1

A youthful Swansea City Under-23s side were beaten by Queens Park Rangers in the Professional Development League.

Despite first-year scholar Ruben Davies marking his debut with a goal, the young Swans suffered a second consecutive defeat at Imperial College Sports Ground.

Jon Grey made four changes to the side beaten by Charlton Athletic last time out; handing first starts at this level to Cian Williams, Adnaan Moti and Rio Campbell.

The Swans fell behind in the 21st minute, when Stephen Duke-McKenna sent a 20-yard free-kick flying into the top corner.

The visitors responded well after the break; equalising in the 64th minute as substitute Davies capitalised on a loose pass before slotting past Tyla Dickinson.

But parity lasted just four minutes before Hamzad Kargbo raced onto a long ball and rounded Jamie Searle before finishing.

And QPR sealed the points with five minutes remaining as Nathan Carlyle sent a thumping shot into the top corner.

“We were disappointed with how we played in the first half,” said under-23s coach Grey.

“We had to remind the boys at half-time that, to be a footballer, you have to produce the goods on the pitch, not just off it. 

“There was a good response in the second half in that regard. They were better and remained in the game right to the very end, but we were still miles off it.

“With the amount of games they’ve been involved in, this was probably one too far in terms of the physicality. The boys were out on their feet.

“It’s a tough period, but we’ve just got to get on with it and get the lads used to playing twice a week like the first team do.

“They have to learn to look after themselves and how to recover properly. Now is a good opportunity for them to do that.”

Swansea City U23s: Jamie Searle; Ryan Bevan, Scott Butler, Matthew Blake (capt), Cian Williams; Erick Kenko (Jacob Edwards, 65), Morgan Clarke (Ruben Davies, ht), Adnaan Moti (Michael Murphy, 65); Cameron Congreve, Bradley Gibbings, Rio Campbell.

Subs not used: Tyler Evans, Dylan Perkins.