Report | Swansea City 4 U21s Bristol City U21s 1
Swansea City Under-21s extended their three-year unbeaten run at the Swansea.com Stadium with a comfortable victory over Bristol City.
In-form Morgan Bates had the Swans ahead within five minutes, but the Robins responded immediately and drew level through Raekwan Nelson.
But Bobby Wales went on to add a brace, either side of a goal from first-year scholar Kai Rhodes, to seal the win for the hosts.
There was also the welcome sight of defender Ricardo Santos getting 45 minutes under his belt as he returns from the knee injury he suffered against Cheltenham Town in pre-season.
The Swans got the ball rolling before five minuets had elapsed. Bates tapped home the opener from close range, converting from a perfectly-weighted delivery by Thomas Woodward.
But, within seconds of the restart, Nelson the visitors level with a low shot into the middle of the net.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty on the 20-minute mark, but heroics from keeper Evan Anderson saw him dive the right way to deny Nelson from the spot.
Approaching the break, a nice one-two between Sam Parker and Woodward left the latter in a promising position, but his strike was gathered by Jack Witchard in the Bristol City goal.
The Swans started the second period on the front foot, and they would regain the lead when Wales found the net with a lofted finish from Josh Pescatore's delivery.
Moments later, Woodward came close to yet another goal only for the woodwork to deny him before Bates went through one-on-one with Witchard after a lovely ball from Wales, but the Robins' stopper got down to save.
More chances came Swansea's way as a wonderful touch from Sam Parker sent the full-back on his way down the right. He delivered a high ball into the box to Pescatore, whose close-range strike was blocked. Harlan Perry latched on to the rebound, only for his strike to be cleared.
Parker continued to prove a threat down the right flank. Another fine ball found Wales in front of goal, but the Scotsman fired high and wide.
Down the other end, Anderson made his first notable save of the second half, pushing away a shot from a tight angle by Elijah Morrison.
Having repelled the threat of an equaliser, the Swans responded by putting the game beyond the reach of their opponents as substitute Rhodes made an almost instant impact by firing in their third goal from 25 yards.
The Swans went in search of more goals, and Wales grabbed his second of the afternoon with a neat strike after the Scotsman's fine solo run.
Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Anderson, Callum Deacon, Iestyn Jones, Harlan Perry, Arthur Parker, Ricardo Santos, Sam Parker, Dan Watts, Bobby Wales, Thomas Woodward, Morgan Bates.