Swansea City Under-21s Derby Premier League Division Two
7th March
A penalty from Kenji Gorre helped Swansea City Under-21s come from behind to beat table-toppers Derby County in Premier League Division Two on Monday.
The Swans, who gave Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero a 75-minute run-out, trailed after just 13 minutes as Rams frontman Offrande Zanzala took advantage at the back to give Derby the lead.
The young Swans leveled through Adam King on the half-hour mark as the midfielder tapped home after Botti Biabi's effort was parried.
Swansea then bagged the winner from the penalty spot in the second half as Montero's fine run and pass found Biabi, who was fouled in the box. Gorre then stepped up to secure the development squad all three points at Landore.
The Swans made seven changes, with Montero starting on the wing as the development squad's overage player, while Gorre also made his first appearance for the U21s since returning from his loan with Dutch side ADO Den Haag.
Josh Vickers returned in goal while Scottish midfielder Ryan Blair earned his first full start for the U21s since joining the club in January.
He was partnered by fellow Scot Jay Fulton in midfield with Botti Biabi replacing Ollie McBurnie up front. Raheem Hanley was also back in defence after missing the defeat against Blackburn.
SWANS U21s: Josh Vickers, Liam Shephard (capt) (Keston Davies, 72), Raheem Hanley, Jay Fulton (Adnan Maric, 59) Alex Gogic, Joe Rodon, Ryan Blair, Adam King, Botti Biabi, Jefferson Montero (Alex Bray, 75), Kenji Gorre.
SUBS NOT USED: Gregor Zabret (GK), Owain Jones,
DERBY U21s: Henrich Ravas, Alefe Santos (Kyron Stabana, 43), Calum MacDonald, Timi-Max Elsnik, Farrend Rawson (capt), Tom Koblenz, Callum Guy, Charles Vernam (Kellan Gordon, 59), Kwame Thomas, Offrande Zanzala, Ivan Calero (Alex Babos, 80).
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Cover, Josh Barnes (GK),
Both sides raced out of the blocks at Landore as Swans keeper Josh Vickers kept out a chance from Derby striker Kwame Thomas before Henrich Ravas denied Swans winger Kenji Gorre in the first five minutes.
The visitors took the lead after 13 minutes when Rams midfielder Callum Guy took advantage of a short clearance to put Offrande Zanzala through, and he beat two defenders before firing into the roof of the net.
First-team winger Jefferson Montero's pace caused problems for the visitors on the wing, with his whipped cross almost finding the head of Botti Biabi after 20 minutes.
The Ecuadorian's rapid attack minutes later saw him break into the box only for his shot to cannon off the post.
Derby looked in control of the game but the young Swans equalised just after the half-hour mark when Gorre's cross found Biabi in the box, and when his effort was blocked by Ravas the loose ball was slotted home by Adam King from close range.
HALF TIME: Swans U21s 1 Derby U21s 1
The Rams looked to regain the lead early in the second half as a ball over the top found Thomas in the box, but Vickers did just enough to force the frontman wide before the ball was cleared.
Minutes later the Swans were awarded a penalty when a through ball from Montero put Biabi through on goal before the striker was fouled in the area.
Kenji Gorre stepped up to rifle into the net off the underside of the bar to give Swansea the lead.
Derby looked to respond, and the lively Ivan Calero saw his shot deflected wide before Zanzala's header narrowly looped over the bar.
Swans defender Raheem Hanley linked up well with Gorre before firing wide before Derby had a goal ruled offside.
Montero then broke inside from the wing to narrowly fire a shot wide of the post before substitute Alex Bray did the same in the final few moments.
The young Swans saw out the remaining few minutes to secure a welcomed home win.
The young Swans saw out the remaining few minutes to secure a welcomed home win.
