Report | Swansea City U21s 5 Sheffield United U21s 0
Swansea City Under-21s extended their three-year unbeaten record at the Swansea.com Stadium with a dominant victory over Sheffield United on Monday afternoon.
In-form striker and Swansea boy Morgan Bates headed home the opener in the first half, before Ben Lloyd's curling strike found the net before the break to put the hosts two goals to the good against the Professional Development League North champions.
Sheffield United went down the 10 men after the break as Lennon Patterson was dismissed for a foul on Sam Parker.
Thomas Woodward netted his 18th goal of the season, before captain Lloyd completed his brace and Ramon Rees-Siso registered his first stadium goal in the closing stages as the hosts ran out handsome winners.
Filip Lissah made his second consecutive start for the age-grade side following eight months on the sidelines, whilst Sam Parker came into the starting 11, after he and Lloyd had featured from the bench in the senior side’s draw against Oxford on Saturday.
It was a strong start for the hosts and in-form Bates, who netted a hat-trick last time out against Birmingham City, was played through by Dan Watts, but a fingertip save from Coby Hewitsob pushed his strike out for a corner.
Lissah went close moments later as his shot was gathered by the Blades' stopper, after the defender looked to turn in Jacob Cook's initial shot from 30 yards.
And the Swans took the lead in the 20th minute as Bates was found at the back post, and he made no mistake to head into the top corner for his fourth goal in two games.
It could have quickly been two for the young Swans as a smart team move allowed Lloyd to whip a ball in, but it flashed across the face of goal as Parker arrived at the far post seconds later.
Down the other end, Kit Margetson made the first notable save of the afternoon as Alfie Atherton struck a low shot on target, but it was comfortable for the Welsh keeper.
But it was 2-0 before the break, thanks to skipper Lloyd producing a fine finish. Woodward sent the midfielder through one-on-one and he chipped the ball around Hewitsob for his second goal at the Swansea.com Stadium this season.
Swansea also started off the second period brightly. Woodward had a shot blocked by Patterson, Parker latched onto the rebound but lofted it high and wide.
Three minutes played, Blades defender Patterson was shown a straight red card for a sliding tackle on Parker down the right.
Parker nearly made it 3-0 moments later, but Hewitsob would deny him a goal as he pushed away a powerful strike from the youngster.
The Swans were in control as they were enjoying possession in the Blades' half, and they were rewarded with a deserved third goal.
Lloyd's thunderous strike was fumbled by Hewitsob and Woodward raced goalward to slide home from close range.
And skipper Lloyd would bag another goal with yet another fine finish, as his low strike found the bottom corner from outside of the box.
Rees-Siso made an impact from the bench as Hewitsob denied the winger’s attempt at goal, and he then sent a strike over the crossbar.
But the scholar would eventually get his goal, showing his pace and outrunning the Blades' defence to round the keeper and fire home for the fifth and final goal.
Swansea City Under-21s: Kit Margetson, Sam Parker (Callum Deacon 82), Sebastian Dabrowski (Jack Fanning 45), Jacob Cook, Filip Lissah (Zac Jeanes 68), Iestyn Jones, Aimar Govea (Ramon Rees-Siso 62), Dan Watts, Morgan Bates, Ben Lloyd (captain), Thomas Woodward (Yori Griffith 82).