Swansea City Checkatrade Trophy
24th January
Swansea City's development side suffered their first defeat in 12 games as they exited the Checkatrade Trophy following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Coventry City.
The League One visitors progressed to the semi-finals after seeing off the young Swans 4-2 on penalties in front of over 3,300 at the Liberty Stadium
The League One visitors progressed to the semi-finals after seeing off the young Swans 4-2 on penalties in front of over 3,300 at the Liberty Stadium
After dominating large spells of the first half, the hosts took the lead through Oli McBurnie, who scored from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the box with 20 minutes left.
A late equaliser from Coventry captain Jordan Willis forced the game to further spot-kicks with the scores level after 90 minutes.
A late equaliser from Coventry captain Jordan Willis forced the game to further spot-kicks with the scores level after 90 minutes.
Despite Aaron Lewis converting the opening penalty, Coventry keeper Reice Charles-Cook denied the Swans twice from 12 yards to help the Sky Blues progress.
Gary Richards and Cameron Toshack made four changes to the side that beat Wolves Academy in the third round of the tournament earlier this month.
He was joined in midfield by Jay Fulton, who has made 10 Premier League appearances this season. The Scot made his third appearance in the Checkatrade Trophy this campaign.
Fellow Scot Ryan Blair also returned to the team to start in midfield, while Alex Bray and Owain Jones started on the wings for the young Swans.
Experienced German goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel was the Swans' only overage player, making his fourth start in the competition. Meanwhile young striker Oli McBurnie, who netted twice in the last round, kept his place up front.
The Sky Blues made four changes to the side that started against Fleetwood at the weekend, with Kyel Reid restored in midfield.
Reice Charles-Cook replaced Lee Burge in goal, while Dion Kelly-Evans, Jordan Willis, Jordan Turnbull and Ryan Haynes made up the back four. Ben Stevenson and Callum Reilly anchored the midfield, with Ruben Lameiras, Andy Rose and Reid in an attacking threesome.
The visitors also named 19-year old George Thomas up top as he continued his run leading the line.
SWANS U21s: Gerhard Tremmel, Tyler Reid, Aaron Lewis, Ryan Blair, Keston Davies (C), Joe Rodon, Alex Bray (Botti Biabi, 90), Jay Fulton (Adnan Marić, 46), Oli McBurnie, George Byers, Owain Jones (Jordan Garrick, 71).
UNUSED SUBS: Gregor Zabret, Jack Evans, Tom Plezier, Tom Holland.
COVENTRY CITY: Reice Charles-Cook, Jordan Willis (Capt), Jordan Turnbull, Andy Rose (Jodi Jones, 71), Ruben Lameiras, Kyel Reid, Callum Reilly (Gael Bigirimana, 76), Ryan Haynes, George Thomas, Dion Kelly-Evans, Ben Stevenson (Vladimir Gadzhev, 89).
UNUSED SUBS: Lee Burge, Jack Finch, Devon Kelly-Evans, Cian Harries.
Swansea full-back Tyler Reid found space on the right to send in an early cross that was cut out by Coventry keeper Reice Charles-Cook minutes after kick-off.
But that early chance was one of few in a sparse opening 20 minutes.
Swansea held possession well and did look to create chances in the final third as Owain Jones' teasing ball into the box was once again saved by the Sky Blues keeper.
Swansea held possession well and did look to create chances in the final third as Owain Jones' teasing ball into the box was once again saved by the Sky Blues keeper.
The young Swans had a penalty appeal turned down as Oli McBurnie went down in the area under a challenge from a resilient Coventry defence.
German keeper Gerhard Tremmel prevented Coventry from taking a first-half lead as his diving save to his left denied Callum Reilly's 25-yard effort.
Coventry created chances but it was the Swans who had the better of the first period as George Byers' corner was scrambled away from five yards before Jones could get the vital touch while McBurnie saw his shot deflected over the bar minutes before the half-time whistle.
HALF-TIME: Swans U21s 0-0 Coventry City
Swansea attacked from the restart and almost took the lead as a threaded ball from Ryan Blair played McBurnie into the box, but the striker's effort was saved by the legs of Charles-Cook.
Ten minutes later a Coventry free-kick fell to Kyel Reid, but the winger could only fire over before Byers pulled a shot wide for Swansea at the other end.
The young Swans continued to attack as Ryan Haynes' last ditch tackle denied Alex Bray a chance on goal.
But the Swans were awarded a penalty as McBurnie was pulled back in the box minutes later by the Coventry defender. The striker stepped up to net his fifth goal in the competition and give the Swans the lead.
Swansea continued to press as defender Joe Rodon saw his shot saved before Jordan Turnbull fired wide for Coventry.
The win looked to be heading the Swans' way, but a late free-kick saw George Thomas' ball find Jordan Willis, and he headed home from close range inside the final five minutes to force to game to penalties.
FULL-TIME: Swans U21s 1-1 Coventry City
Swans defender Aaron Lewis stepped up confidently to fire home the Swans' first penalty before George Thomas levelled from the spot.
Coventry keeper Charles-Cook then saved Botti Biabi's next spot-kick as sub Gael Bigirimana netted to put the Sky Blues into the lead.
Byers and Reid converted their respective kicks before Charles-Cook denied the Swans again, this time saving Ryan Blair's effort.
Ruben Lameiras then stepped up to fire the winning penalty to put Coventry into the semi-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy and end the young Swans' successful campaign in the competition.
