Report | Swansea City U21s 3 Brighton & Hove Albion U21s 1
Swansea City Under-21s made it back-to-back Premier League Cup wins as Kristian Fletcher’s brace and an own goal sealed victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Landore Training Ground.
The Swans opened the scoring after Fletcher struck from the edge of the area with half-hour played, giving the hosts the advantage going into the break.
The Seagulls equalised through Mark O’Mahony not long after the restart, but it didn’t matter as the Swans found the net twice within five minutes in the closing stages through an own goal, and a wonderful solo effort from Fletcher.
There were three changes to the side that played out the thrilling Professional Development League draw against Watford on Monday. Evan Watts returned to the side, replacing Ben Hughes, with Zane Myers and Kian Jenkins coming in for Nathan Tjoe-A-On and Liam Walsh respectively.
Brighton had a sight of goal early on, Filip Lissah and Harry Jones defending well in their own penalty area to deny O’Mahony’s shot before clearing the ball to safety.
The next big chance went the way of the Swans, Myers showed strength to beat his man down the left, drifting inside and finding Ben Lloyd, whose shot dragged just wide of the target.
Swansea continued to threaten, and it came as no surprise when they broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.
A raking pass from Kyrell Wilson sent Fletcher into space on the right, the American embarked on a mazy run through the Seagulls’ defence before sending a thunderous strike into the top corner.
The Swans almost had a second in the dying moments of the first period. A brilliant link-up between Fletcher and Joe Thomas sent a superb ball into the path of Wilson, but the 18-year-old’s effort flew behind for a goal-kick.
From the restart, the visitors looked to respond. Jamie Mullins saw two shots denied in quick succession, with Watts comfortably collecting the latter effort.
In-form Wilson then to into space down the right-hand side for the hosts, the forward broke free from his marker but the ball got out of reach and into the hands of Tommy Reid.
However, within 10 minutes of the second period, the visitors had their equaliser. O’Mahony got on the end of a fine cross to fire into the centre of the net.
The visitors were soon pressing again, and Watts produced a magnificent save to keep out substitute Louis Flower’s volley from close-range.
Down the other end, the speed of Wilson and Fletcher almost put the Swans back ahead, but the American’s effort were well-blocked by Reid.
Marcus Ifill came closest to putting the Premier League 2 outfit ahead as his deflected shot clipped off the near post.
But, instead, it was the home side who would strike the decisive blow. Substitute Faakye drove forward and drilled a delivery into the area that a Brighton defender put through his own net.
And DC United loanee Fletcher put the game to bed with five minutes left of normal time.
Good work from Lloyd sent Fletcher clear into the area,with the forward cutting inside on his right foot before firing past Reid to seal the win.
Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Watts, Harry Jones, Zane Myers (Richard Faakye 60), Kian Jenkins, Filip Lissah (captain), Kai Ludvigsen, Joe Thomas (Ruben Davies 70), Liam Smith, Kristian Fletcher, Ben Lloyd, Kyrell Wilson.
Substitutes: Josh Carey, Ben Hughes, Dan Watts.
Brighton Under-21s: Tommy Reid, Casper Nilsson, Jacob Slater, Leigh Kavanagh, Noel Atom, Jack Hincy (captain), Marcus Ifill, Joe Knight (Louis Flower 55'), Mark O’Mahony, Jamie Mullins, Benicio Baker-Boaity.
Substitutes: Samy Chouchane, Josh Duffus, Ruairi McConville, Brody Peart.