Report | Swansea City U21s 3 Queens Park Rangers U21s 1
A Morgan Bates hat-trick ensured Swansea City Under-21s claimed back-to-back wins with victory over Queens Park Rangers on Monday evening.
After a goalless first half, Bates would open the scoring from close range but the visitors levelled proceedings five minutes later through an Archie O'Brien tap-in.
But Bates went on to complete his treble and seal the three points as he headed home from a corner kick, before winning and converting a penalty in stoppage time.
There were two changes to the side that claimed a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City on Friday night, with Callum Deacon and Milo Robinson coming in for Thomas Woodward and Dan Watts respectively.
Under-16s’ midfielder Bobby Lewis made his second appearance for the age-group off the bench, following his debut on Friday night on his 16th birthday.
The young Hoops were in control for the opening five minutes as both Leon Scarlett and Philip Olanrewaju forced Iestyn Jones in to crucial blocks in the box.
Swansea responded with a promising attack through Caleb Demery, who played in Bates to his left, only for the forward’s strike to end up off-target.
Striker Bates thought he'd made up for it seconds later as his header found the back of the net, but the referee disallowed it for a foul on the QPR keeper, Charlie Warren.
Another chance for Bates came on the 25-minute mark as his powerful header from Josh Pescatore's corner was well saved by Warren.
Pescatore, in search of a third goal in four games, looked to strike immediately after, only to curl high and wide.
The second period started with both sides exchanging half-chances, but it was Bates who finally got the breakthrough.
The striker was on hand to tap home after Warren had been unable to hold his initial effort.
However, the hosts' lead was short-lived and it took just five minutes for the visitors to level the score. Cian Dillon did well to hold off Jones before setting up O'Brien, and he made no mistake to finish from close range.
It was looking like the game would end a point apiece but two goals in six minutes from Bates, completing his hat-trick, all but sealed the three points for the hosts.
Pescatore went for goal after being awarded a free-kick a long way out, and his strike was on course to find the net until a deflection at the last second sent the ballout for a Swans corner.
Bates rose highest from the corner and headed home from another Pescatore delivery, before the 19-year-old won and converted a penalty in the 92nd-minute with a calm finish down the middle from the spot.