Swansea City Under-21s Liverpool friendly
5th October
Striker Botti Biabi scored his first goal for the club as he helped Swansea City Under-21s to a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Liverpool on Sunday.
Coaches Gary Richards and Cameron Toshack arranged the fixture at Kirkby Academy while the squad are on a three-week break from league action before their next match at home to Aston Villa (October 19).
The development squad faced an experienced Liverpool side with the likes of first-team players Jose Enrique and Joao Carlos Teixeira included in the starting line-up.
After a goalless first-half, the Swans could have taken the lead through Oliver McBurnie only for the striker to see his shot hit the post minutes after the restart.
But the young Reds took the lead five minutes later through defender Connor Randall.
The U21s hit back with 15 minutes left when Biabi broke through the defence to score his first goal since signing from Falkirk in August.
And coach Cameron Toshack credited the development squad's hard-working performance against an experienced Liverpool side.
"Credit has to go to all the lads - we are very pleased with their performance and discipline," he said. "Liverpool fielded a number of players who have Premier League experience, including defender Jose Enrique who has played over 200 games.
"It is important we give them opportunities against first-team players. Myself and Gary (Richards) are pleased the team have competed against strong opposition for a second game following the draw against Newcastle last week.
"All the lads need to take credit for their discipline and organisation against a challenging opposition. Botti (Biabi) has worked hard up front and deserved his first goal.
"We had chances for a second and on another day perhaps could have taken a win against an experience category one side who are a division above us.
"The game was well worth the exercise. It is important at this stage of the season we continue to get game time and experience.
"We face a friendly at home to a mix of Bath City and University players next Monday which will keep us match ready before our next league test against Aston Villa."
SWANS U21s: Gregor Zabret, Daniel Alfei, Raheem Hanley (Liam Shephard, 80), Adnan Maric, Keston Davies, Alex Gogic, Tom Holland (Marco Dulcu, 85), Henry Jones, Oliver McBurnie, Botti Biabi (Ryan Hedges, 85), Kyle Copp
SUBS NOT USED: Gareth Owen.
