Report: Swans U23s1 Sunderland U23s 0

23rd April

George Byers scored the only goal of the game as Swansea City Under-23s finished their Premier League 2 season with a 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Liberty Stadium.

The midfielder headed home what proved to be the winner in the 52nd minute.

Byers' ninth goal of the campaign in all competitions was enough for the young Swans to secure a fourth-place finish in their debut season in the top flight of development football.

The hosts made four changes to the side that started the narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last time out.

Steven Benda returned in goal and Marco Dulca came into midfield, while there were also starts for Liam Cullen and Courtney Baker-Richardson up front.

The Swans controlled possession in the early stages and it took fantastic reflexes from Sunderland goalkeeper Max Stryjek to deny Cullen from point-blank range.

Byers also went close as the first half progressed when his free-kick bounced back off the post, while Dulca was just unable to guide towards goal soon after. 

However, the Swans found the breakthrough seven minutes into the second half as Byers and Baker-Richardson exchanged looping passes.

Byers then beat Stryjek to the ball to head into the empty net.

The hosts were generally in control for the remainder of the contest as they went in search of a second goal, with substitutes Botti Biabi and Daniel James going close.

Nevertheless, Byers’ strike was enough to cap off a fine first season at this level.

Swans U23s: Steven Benda, Aaron Lewis, Matthew Blake, Jack Evans, Cian Harries (capt), Ben Cabango, Adnan Marić, Marco Dulca (Daniel James, 78), Courtney Baker- Richardson (Botti Biabi, 68), George Byers, Liam Cullen (Kieran Evans, 86).

Subs not used: Gregor Zabret, Keston Davies.

Sunderland U23s: Max Stryjek, Owen Gamble, Denver Hume (capt), Adam Bale, Brandon Taylor, Alex Storey, Jack Diamond (Williams Kokolo, 73), Elliot Embleton, Luke Molyneux, Bali Mumba (Lee Connelly, 73), Benji Kimpioka (Connor Shields, 66).

Subs not used: Rayed Derbali, Anthony Patterson.