Report: Swans U23s 3 West Ham U23s 0

29th January

Swansea City Under-23s got back to winning ways in Premier League 2 with a commanding 3-0 victory over West Ham United at Landore.

George Byers and Jordon Garrick were on target late in the first half as the young Swans took control of the contest, before substitute Kenji Gorre added a third in the dying moments to secure a fifth win in six league matches.

The hosts made five changes to the side that claimed a narrow 4-3 victory over Colchester United in the Premier League Cup on Thursday.

One of them – Garrick – had the Swans’ first clear sight at goal as he stung the palms of Nathan Trott in the 23rd minute. 

Although, they were fortunate not to go behind less than 60 seconds later, when Jahmal Hector-Ingram was just whiskers away from connecting with Anthony Scully’s low cross.

Nevertheless, the Swans continued to threaten and they took the lead after 40 minutes following a neat move that saw Dan James find Adnan Maric in the box, and the Swede showed great awareness to square the ball for Byers to apply the finishing touch.

They doubled the lead just before the break after hitting the Hammers with a devastating counter-attack. Courtney Baker-Richardson was sent clear down the right wing and he provided the perfect lay-off for Garrick to tuck away.

The visitors went close to halving the deficit early in the second half when Joe Powell’s free-kick rattled the post, but the Swans should have been home and dry soon after as Baker-Richardson fired wide when clear on goal.

However, the hosts, who were comfortably swept aside 5-2 in the reverse fixture in August, remained in control for the remainder of the contest.

Byers went close to adding a third goal when he was denied by Trott from close range, but the midfielder turned provider as the match was killed off in the 89th minute.

He showed great awareness to release Gorre in behind the defence, and the substitute raced away before calmly slotting past Trott from a tight angle to keep the Swans in touch with the top four in Premier League 2.

Swans U23s: Gregor Zabret, Aaron Lewis, Matic Paljk (Joe Lewis, 90), Jack Evans, Cian Harries (Capt), Brandon Cooper, Daniel James, Adnan Marić, Courtney Baker-Richardson, George Byers, Jordon Garrick (Kenji Gorrè, 74).

Subs not used: Lewis Thomas, Marco Dulca, Botti Biabi.

West Ham U23s: Nathan Trott, Alex Pike, Vashon Neufville, Joe Powell, Tunji Akinola (Kristijan Belić, 79), Ajibola Alese, Grady Diangana, Moses Masaki, Jahmal Hector-Ingram (Sean Adarkwa, 79), Marcus Browne, Anthony Scully (Bernardo Rosa, 69).

Subs not used: Rihards Matrevics.