Report | Swansea City U21s 2 Huddersfield Town U21s 0
Swansea City Under-21 made it back-to-back wins in the Professional Development League with a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Second half goals from Ben Lloyd and Kai Rhodes were enough to condemn the Terriers to their first defeat of the league season.
The Swans made three changes to the side that faced the Huddersfield in the Premier League Cup a week ago, with Milo Robinson, Alfie Jones and Rhodes coming into the starting XI.
It was the visitors who fashioned the first real threat after just three minutes. Marlie Neil was given time and space on the edge of the area before his low effort took a deflection and rattled against the post.
The Terriers continued to make the brighter start, with Cameron Ashia forcing Evan Watts into a strong save before Max Murray connected well with James Spencer’s out-swinging cross, but could only head wide.
Midway through the half, Jones came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock for the Swans. After receiving a neat inside pass from Rhodes, the midfielder curled an effort narrowly wide as Swansea looked for an opening.
The visitors then had another excellent opportunity before the break when Michael Onyeka broke through the Swansea backline and found himself one-on-one with Watts. However, the forward could not find the finishing touch to beat the onrushing goalkeeper.
Bobby Lewis, who had been introduced as an early substitute, then came closest to giving the Swans the advantage before half-time. He weaved his way through a crowded penalty area before forcing a save from Francis Hurl, ensuring the sides could not be separated at the break.
The breakthrough eventually came when the Swans were awarded a penalty 15 minutes into the second half after Joe Davies was brought down inside the area.
Lloyd stepped up and found the net at the second attempt, having seen keeper Hurl push his spot-kick onto the post.
The game began to open up following the opener, and Swansea soon doubled their advantage. Kavin Bloniarczyk’s whipped cross found Rhodes at the back post, with the winger’s low strike beating the Terriers’ shot-stopper
With 15 minutes remaining, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Murray was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Seb Dabrowski.
Anthony Wright responded with a triple substitution as he looked to maintain Swansea’s attacking momentum. The changes nearly paid dividends in stoppage time when Lloyd broke through on goal, but he could only blaze his effort over the bar.
It mattered little, though, as the Swans held on to secure their first home league win of the season.
Swansea City: Watts, Jones, Dabrowski (Fanning 82’), Robinson, Parker (C) (Bloniarczyk 46’), Heywood, Clarke (Lewis 8’), A. Jones (Meron 82’), Davies (Evans 82’|, Lloyd, Rhodes.
Substitutes: Collins, Asemokhai.