Report | Swansea City U21s 3 Crewe Alexandra U21s 2

Swansea City Under-21s kicked-off their Professional Development League campaign with victory over Crewe Alexandra at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Kyrell Wilson fired the Swans ahead at the break, before he grabbed another goal in the second period after setting up Morgan Bates for the hosts' second.

The visitors grabbed two goals in the last quarter of the game through Will Holt and Luca Moore, but the Swans held on to open their league campaign with a three-point haul.

Evan Anderson had been given his first start for the age-grade side between the sticks, after the Scottish goalkeeper completed his move to the club.

It proved a quick and confident start from the Swans as Kai Rhodes and Wilson led the attack. The first real chance for the hosts came when Aimar Govea's curling cross found the head of Josh Ginnelly, but he directed his effort over the woodwork.

The visitors then broke quickly down the middle through Moore and Isaac Irwin, but Swansea's Iestyn Jones put in a fine block to clear the danger.

Down the other end, neat play from Rhodes and Wilson set Sebastian Dabrowski through on goal, but the defender’s second touch had too much on it and the chance was gone.

Rhodes - fresh from his brace against Afan Lido in the Nathaniel MG Cup last week - was next to test the Crewe defence, firing a shot just wide. 

The Swans should have had the lead when Ginnelly brought down a high ball on the right flank before laying off for Wilson, but a last-ditch tackle from a Crewe defender on the forward sent his effort high and wide.

Govea guided a lovely pass into the path of Wilson, only for Dominic James to save the 19-year-old's shot well with his feet. 

But, just seconds later, Wilson opened the scoring in fine fashion as his well-taken strike from outside of the area sailing into the bottom corner.

In the second half, Substitute Bates almost netted a second for the Swans after his sliding effort was well held by the Crewe stopper.

However, the striker would grab a goal of his own immediately after. Wilson turned provider by delivering a fine ball into the box, and Bates made no mistake to tap in for the Swans' second goal of the evening.

Within minutes of the second goal, Bates repaid the favour for Wilson, teeing the forward up and he calmly steered the ball into the middle of the goal to complete his brace.

Thomas Woodward then saw James push away his curling effort from 25 yards as the hosts threatened to run away with things.

Despite the Swans being dominance, Crewe would grab a goal back through Holt whose strike from a tight angle proved too much for Anderson in the Swansea goal.

Rhodes thought he had netted the fourth goal for the hosts but his powerful strike ricocheted off the crossbar and out. 

However, Crewe brought the goal deficit back down to one whenMoore smashed home from outside the box following a corner-kick, but the Swans held on for all three points.

Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Anderson, Zac Jeanes, Sebastian Dabrowski, Mitchell Bates, Ben Phillips, Iestyn Jones, Kai Rhodes, Dan Watts (Captain), Kyrell Wilson, Aimar Govea, Josh Ginnelly (Morgan Bates 45)

Substitutes: Jakub Nowak.