Report | Swansea City U21s 3 Millwall U21s 0
Swansea City returned to Professional Development League action in emphatic fashion with a handsome victory over reigning champions Millwall at Landore.
The Swans – fresh from reaching the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup – led 2-0 at the break thanks to a Charlie Veevers’ goal from close range and a Kyrell Wilson finish at the end of a brilliant, flowing movement.
Cameron Congreve added a third in the second half as Anthony Wright’s side moved to within two points of the second-placed Lions in the PDL South table.
There was also a third clean sheet in a row in all competitions for the hosts.
There had been three changes from the side that booked a place in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup courtesy of victory over Cardiff Met, with Lincoln McFayden, Richard Faakye and Dan Watts making way for Nathanael Obgeta, Nathan Tjoe-A-On and Veevers respectively.
It was an even start with little to choose between the two sides, although the Swans felt they could have had more from a sharp counter started by Liam Smith, with Kyrell Wilson unable to beat the final defender.
The hosts were then denied an opener in the 15th minute by a superb goal-line clearance from Josh Stephenson, who kept out Joe Thomas’ header from a Congreve cross.
Thomas was having plenty of joy down the right, with his cross being deflected just behind Wilson, before the winger’s effort was again blocked on the line by Stephenson.
At the other end, Remy Mitchell stood up well to make a strong stop after Millwall skipper Abdul Abdulmalik had seized on a short backpass to get in on goal.
The game was opening up, and Liam Smith was soon sending a left-footed strike arrowing just wide of the right-hand upright, with Wilson then unable to find the net from Thomas’ astute reverse pass.
Mitchell parried Frankie Baker’s stinging angled drive just past the half-hour mark, with Ogbeta’s left-footed effort sailing wide of the far stick as the Swans attacked smartly.
But the breakthrough did arrive in the 36th minute. A wonderful ball from Congreve picked out Ogbeta, who turned the final defender inside out before laying it on for Veevers to finish.
The Swans had the chance to double the lead three minutes before the break after Smith was bundled over in the box after running onto a lovely pass from Congreve,
The Scot took the responsibility for the spot-kick, but saw George Evans make a terrific save.
However, Swansea did have a two-goal lead at the break courtesy of a tremendous, flowing attack.
Thomas sent Veevers racing into space, and his first-time pass was met by Wilson who sent a superb curling strike into the top corner.
It was no less than the Swans deserved, and they threatened again early in the second period, Evans gathering in a Veevers strike following a purposeful run by Smith.
But there was a greater purpose about Millwall as they sought a way back into the game, and Mitchell did well to smother Jack Howland’s effort after Baker had found the winger in plenty of space in the area.
The hosts then suffered a blow as Thomas was forced off by injury, with Faakye taking his place, but they shrugged off the setback as Congreve was found on the edge of the area to rifle a left-footed effort into the net.
The Swans had Filip Lissah sent off following a second booking with 15 minutes to go, but there was to be no late comeback as the tree points were secured with Mitchell making some impressive stops to preserve the clean sheet.
Swansea City U21s: Remy Mitchell, Harry Jones, Nathanael Ogbeta (Lincoln McFayden 60), Mitchell Bates, Filip Lissah (captain), Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Joe Thomas (Richard Faakye 64), Charlie Veevers (Dan Watts 60), Kyrell Wilson (Ruben Davies 60), Liam Smith, Cameron Congreve.
Unused Substitutes: Kit Margetson.
Millwall U21s: George Evans, Elias Mansour, Josh Stephenson (Elidon O’Boyle 70), Finley Cotton, Kyron Horsley-McKay, Oliver Evans (Frankie Hvid 46), Jack Howland, Alfie Massey, Frankie Baker, Abdul Abdulmalik (captain), Ariski Hamouchene (Nana Boateng 60).
Unused Substitutes: Jacob Przewozny, Frankie Macioca.