Swansea City Under-21s | Road to the Nathaniel MG Cup Final

19th January
Academy
Evan Watts Cardiff

As Swansea City Under-21s get set to take on The New Saints in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final on Saturday, we take a look at their journey to the final at Jenner Park.

The Swans face the nine-time winners for the first time in their history, in what is the development side's debut campaign in the competition after receiving a wildcard in July 2023.

Tickets for this match are sold by the FAW and can be purchased HERE.

 

July 22, 2023 - Carmarthen Town 0 Swansea City U21s 4 - First Round

Iwan Morgan

Swansea City Under-21s progressed to the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup after goals from Iwan Morgan (2), Ben Lloyd and Glory Nzingo sealed a dominant win over JD Cymru South outfit Carmarthen Town.

The Swans had received a wildcard entry to this season's competition, and this first-round tie marked the first time the Swans had featured in the tournament.

And they thoroughly enjoyed their cup bow with all the goals coming in the first half, with the hosts subsequently being reduced to 10 men when Greg Walters saw red at their Richmond Park home.

 

August 5, 2023 - Caerau Ely 1 Swansea City U21s 3 - Second Round

Mitchell Bates

Swansea City Under-21s progressed to the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup with a slick performance in victory over Caerau Ely at The Old Road.

Former Briton Ferry man Mitchell Bates opened the scoring at his old stomping ground, with Kyrell Wilson adding a second for the Swans in the first half.

Ten minutes into the second period, Welsh striker Iwan Morgan continued his fine form by grabbing his third goal of the tournament.

Caerau Ely closed the gap to two goals after a curling strike from James Williams, but it merely proved a late consolation.

 

September 19, 2023 - Swansea City U21s 1 Cardiff City U21s 1 (Won 5-3 on penalties) - Third Round

Swansea City Under-21s sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup by beating 10-man Cardiff City Under-21s on penalties at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans were well-deserving of their first-half lead, which they secured when Maliq Cadogan finished smartly at the near post. And, when Cardiff's Kyle Kenniford was sent off for two bookable offences just before half-time, the hosts looked to be well on top.

But, despite numerous opportunities to extend their lead, the young Swans found visiting keeper Jake Dennis in inspired form and Kieron Evans finished off a counter-attacking move to level the scores with 20 minutes to go and ultimately send the tie to penalties. 

But the Swans were perfect from the spot, scoring all five of their penalties, while Evan Watts made himself the hero in goals when he saved Finlay Johnson's spot-kick to send the Swans into the next round.

 

October 23, 2023 - Swansea City U21s 6 Briton Ferry Llansawel 0 - Quarter-Final

Kian Jenkins

Braces from Kian Jenkins, Ruben Davies and Kristian Fletcher helped Swansea City Under-21s book their place in the semi-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup with an emphatic victory against 10-man Briton Ferry Llansawel at Old Road.

The Swans took an early lead through Jenkins, and were then handed a man advantage when Morgan Hutin was sent off with just 26 minutes played for an awful challenge on Mitchell Bates, who was skippering the visitors against his old club.

Swansea profited with striker Davies netting and Jenkins adding his second in the final minutes of the first half.

Anthony Wright’s team controlled the second half to seal progress with a minimum of fuss; Davies adding his second and Kristian Fletcher also on the scoresheet with two goals of his own as the coach enjoyed a winning return to a grassroots club he has close ties to.

 

January 3, 2024 - Swansea City U21s 0 Cardiff Met 0 (Won 5-4 on penalties) - Semi-Final

Goalkeeper Remy Mitchell was the hero as Swansea City Under-21s advanced to the Nathaniel MG Cup final with a penalty shootout victory over Cardiff Met at Landore.

The tie had ended goalless after 90 minutes, and the two sides scored four of their regulation five penalties.

But Mitchell got down low to his left, as he had done earlier in the shootout to deny Eliot Evans, and pushed away Thomas Vincent's effort to ensure the Swans prevailed 5-4 and advanced to the final.