Report | Swansea City U18s 12 Doncaster Rovers U18s 0
Swansea City Under-18s progressed to the semi-finals of the Professional Development League Cup after a thumping 12-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers at the Joma High Performance Centre.
A hat-trick from Kai Rhodes, braces from Josiah Kallicharan and Bobby Lewis, along with further goals from Callum Jones, Carter Heywood, Alex Godfrey and Harvey Gray - plus an own goal - ensured the Swans booked their place in the final four in emphatic fashion.
It was a blistering first-half display from the Swans, who showed ruthless efficiency to score six goals in the space of just 23 minutes.
The same standards were maintained after the break, with Jon Beale’s side adding a further six goals in the second half to complete a dominant performance and confirm their place in the semi-finals.
The opener came through Jones, who looked lively from the outset, shifting inside the area to create space before striking across goal and into the corner.
He was involved again just minutes later, advancing down the left flank before squaring the ball to Rhodes, who made no mistake from close range to double the lead.
The Swans showed no signs of easing off and added a third inside 22 minutes. A slick move down the left saw Jones play Billy Clarke into the area, who in turn picked out Lewis to tap home past Luke Stirzaker.
Lewis then grabbed his second just four minutes later in almost identical fashion, as Bobo Evans raced down the left before finding the Swans’ number 10, who calmly slotted home.
Swansea continued to threaten from both flanks and netted a fifth shortly after the half-hour mark. This time Rhodes beat his man down the right before squaring for Kallicharan, who tapped in — the fourth close-range finish of the half.
To cap a superb opening 45 minutes, Heywood added a sixth after receiving the ball in midfield from Kaven Bloniarczyk and driving past several Rovers players, before firing a powerful finish past Stirzaker.
The Swans showed no signs of letting up and came flying out of the blocks after the restart to net a seventh within three minutes. Rhodes produced a superb solo effort, driving 20 yards down the left before cutting inside onto his right foot and unleashing a powerful strike from outside the area that flew into the roof of the net.
Swansea continued to push for more goals as they approached the hour mark. Clarke won the ball high up the pitch and sent Kallicharan through on goal, but the forward dragged his effort wide of the post.
Clarke’s energy continued to cause problems and he was involved again soon after, driving into the area before playing Rhodes down the left. The winger then squared the ball for Kallicharan, who was on hand to tap in from close range and complete his brace.
More goals followed with 20 minutes remaining as substitute Gray headed home from an Evans corner to make it 9-0.
As the match entered the final 10 minutes, the Swans maintained their high standards and found a 10th goal. A slick team move saw Lukas Murphy release Rhodes down the left, and after lifting his head, the winger delivered across goal for substitute Godfrey to convert at the back post.
Rhodes continued to threaten late on and was involved again as Swansea added number 11. His delivery into the six-yard area took a deflection off a Rovers defender before rolling into the net.
The winger then capped a sensational performance by completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Lewis was brought down in the area.
Rhodes stepped up and sent Stirzaker the wrong way to round off a superb display and seal Swansea’s place in the last four.
Swansea City Under-18s: Tom Wright, Kaven Bloniarczyk, Billy Clarke (Harvey Gray 63), Alfie Jones, Ben Phillips, Carter Heywood (Brogan Popham 46), Kai Rhodes, Bobo Evans, Josiah Kallicharan (Lukas Murphy 63), Bobby Lewis, Callum Jones (Alex Godfrey 46).
Substitutes not used: Jakub Nowak.
Doncaster Rovers Under-18s: Luke Stirzaker, Harry Glaves, Jonny Tomlinson (Myles Walshaw 70), Aaron Cashmore (captain), Lucas Mckie (Samuel Butler 59), Franklin Middleton, Rhomani Murray (Rohan Chabvonga 70), Ashton Swales, Alex Pavan (Harrison Hird 32), Lincoln Pawlak, Ethan Hodgett.