Report: Swans U23s 5 Colchester United U23s 1

7th December

Oli McBurnie scored twice as Swansea City Under-23s got back to winning ways by claiming a commanding 5-1 victory over Colchester United in the Premier League Cup.

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The striker, who captained the young Swans at Landore, scored in each half while Adnan Maric and Courtney Baker-Richardson were also on target, before substitute Daniel James marked his return to action by completing the rout five minutes from time. 

Colchester had reduced the deficit to 2-1 before half-time when Diaz Wright fired into the roof of the net, but it was a mere consolation as the hosts collected their first points of this season’s competition.

The young Swans, who included Federico Fernandez in the heart of defence, made 11 changes to the side beaten by Charlton Athletic in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday.

They made a bright start and deservedly took the lead in the 14th minute following a neat move that resulted in Maric turning the ball home from Baker-Richardson’s cross.

The advantage was doubled just five minutes later as McBurnie latched onto a deep free-kick before firing into the roof of the net.

The hosts continued to push for more goals with Mael Davies showing wonderful vision with a precise through ball for Baker-Richardson, who was denied by equally superb reflexes from goalkeeper Daniel Wilks.

However, against the run of play, the visitors pulled one back just before half-time when Wright blasted past Lewis Thomas after the Swans failed to deal with a corner.

Nevertheless, the hosts restored the two-goal buffer after 58 minutes, as McBurnie lost his marker at the near post to flick a corner beyond the helpless Wilks.

Baker-Richardson then got in on the act seven minutes later when he controlled Davies’ cross before drilling home, while McBurnie squandered a great chance to complete his hat-trick after firing over from close range.

The young Swans put the icing on the cake five minutes from time when, shortly after entering the action, James marked his return from injury in style by cleverly stepping away from his marker before beating the goalkeeper with a vicious strike from a tight angle.

Swans U23s: Lewis Thomas, Mael Davies, Matthew Blake, Jack Evans, Federico Fernandez (Jack Bainbridge, 62), Brandon Cooper, Adnan Marić, Jay Fulton, Oli McBurnie (Capt), Trialist (Marco Dulca, 88), Courtney Baker-Richardson (Daniel James, 75).

Subs not used: Steven Benda, Causso Darame.

Colchester United U23s: Daniel Wilks, Cameron James, Osase JJ Wilson, Diaz Wright (Capt), William Wright, Tariq Issa, Charley Edge (Tarryn Allarakhia, 75), Decarrey Sheriff, Courtney Senior (Eoin McKeown, 71), Louis Dunne,Daniel Jefferies.

Subs not used: Callum Sturgess, George Phillips.