Report | Sheffield United U18s 0 Swansea City U18s 3
Swansea City Under-18s progressed to the semi-finals of the Professional Development League Cup with an emphatic victory over Sheffield United.
The Swans found themselves 1-0 up inside a minute, the referee awarding a penalty for foul on Seb Dabrowski in the area, converted by Sammy Henia-Kamau.
The hosts then went down to 10 men when Jayden Prunty was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident.
The Blades still had their chances but a brilliant display from Kit Margetson denied them, and the Swans went on to seal the win with further goals from Aimar Govea and Dabrowski.
There was two changes to the starting line-up that beat AFC Bournemouth last time out as Margetson replaced Ewan Griffiths between the sticks, with Cameron Llewellyn dropping to the bench.
There was also a change of venue less than an hour before kick-off due to waterlogged pitches at Shirecliffe, with the game taking place at Norton Sports Park.
It was the dream start for the Swans, Dabrowski raced forward before being fouled in the area inside 30 seconds with the referee pointing to the spot.
And the Swans found themselves 1-0 up as Henia-Kamau converted calmly from the spot.
The Blades sought an immediate response, and Sam Aston headed over at the back post. Govea then hit the side-netting at the other end after a clever lay-off from Thomas Searle.
United came again, Margetson getting down low to push out an Ethan Cummings’ strike before Searle cleared Billy Blacker’s shot.
Approaching the half-hour mark, the Blades were forced down to 10 men following an altercation in the Swans’ area. Prunty being shown a straight red.
The visitors were playing some lovely passing football, and Govea went close again when he fired straight into the hands of Ryan Andrews.
Swansea went close again on the brink of half-time. Jack Fanning’s header and Henia-Kamau’s follow-up shot were both cleared off the line.
The game became stop-start due to numerous stoppages, but regardless the Swans remained on top going into the interval.
Henia-Kamau went close after the restart, getting away from his man to meet Dabrowski’s delivery, only for his final effort to land in the hands of Andrews.
The Ecuador international then got on the end of Caio Ifan’s low cross, and made no mistakes as he curled a first-time effort into the top corner.
Straight down the other end, Margetson was forced to pull out a brilliant double save to deny Cummings and Alex Waldron.
The hosts pressed in numbers, Margetson again being called into action to push away a James Asho volley.
But Dabrowski got a goal of his own, firing home from close range to finish off a fine team move from Searle and Henia-Kamau, sealing the Swans place in the semi-finals.
Swansea City Under-18s: Kit Margetson, Thomas Searle, Caio Ifans, Jacob Cook, Iestyn Jones, Jack Fanning (c), Aimar Govea, Yori Griffith, Sammy Henia-Kamau (Rohan Davies 80), Thomas Woodward (Harlan Perry 75), Seb Dabrowski.
Substitutes: Kiel Higginson, Ewan Griffiths, Cameron Llewellyn.