Swansea City Under-21s West Brom Premier League Division Two
14th December
Goals from first-team players Saido Berahino and Callum McManaman helped West Brom's development squad beat Swansea City Under-21s 3-0 at the Lamb Ground on Monday.
Despite chances from Swansea it was the home side who took the lead through frontman Tahvon Campbell.
Swansea looked to make their efforts on goal count in the second half, but it was the Baggies' who doubled their lead from the penalty spot when striker Berahino sent Swans keeper Gregor Zabret the wrong way.
Midfielder McManaman secured the win for West Brom with five minutes left when he volleyed home Josh Ezewele's cross from inside the area.
The development squad made one change to the team that beat Brighton 4-0 at home the previous week.
Midfielder Matt Grimes was the only change to the starting XI as the 20-year-old - who has made five appearances for the Swans since signing from Exeter in January - replaced Jack Evans in midfield.
Meanwhile, first-team trio Saido Berahino, Callum McManaman and Serge Gnabry all started for West Brom.
WEST BROM U21s: Jack Rose (Alex Palmer, 45+1) Josh Ezewele, Robbie McCourt, Joe Ward, Shaun Donnellan, George Cleet, Serge Gnabry (Jonathan Leko, 50), Samir Nabi, Tahvon Campbell, Saido Berahino, Callum McManaman.
SUBS NOT USED: Sam Field, Kyle Edwards, Zack Elbouzedi.
SWANS U21s: Gregor Zabret, Liam Shephard (capt), Raheem Hanley, Matt Grimes, Joe Rodon, Stephen Kingsley, Daniel James, Adnan Maric, Botti Biabi (Owain Jones, 78), Henry Jones (Kyle Copp, 82), Ryan Hedges.
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Thomas, Alex Gogic, Daniel Alfei.
The home side attacked from the kick off with striker Tahvon Campbell heading just wide from a cross from the left.
The Swans' first chance came just minutes later when Ryan Hedges burst into the box to flash a cross across goal only to see the effort deflected into keeper Jack Rose's hands.
Swansea stopper Gregor Zabret made a number of saves in the first half to keep out efforts from Callum McManaman and Serge Gnabry.
Despite a few half chances for the visitors, it was West Brom who took the lead on 34 minutes when Campbell latched onto the loose ball from Berahino's blocked shot before poking it past Zabret from close range.
The Swans' best chance of the half came just minutes before the break when Matt Grimes saw his 20-yard free-kick acrobatically tipped over the bar by Rose.
HALF-TIME: West Brom U21s 1 Swans U21s 0
Swansea started brightly in the second half but despite good link-up play, Liam Shephard could not find a way through the Baggies defence.
Minutes later, midfielder Samir Nabi cut inside from the left to unleash a curling effort narrowly over the crossbar as the home side attempted to double their lead.
Hedges was next to try his luck from 25 yards for the Swans, but the winger's effort flew over the bar.
On the hour mark, Henry Jones squeezed his way through the West Brom defence but his powerful effort was kept out by sub keeper Alex Palmer.
Despite a number of Swansea attacks, it was the home side who got the game's crucial second goal.
Berahino stepped up to slot home a spotkick after Shephard was penalised for a foul in the box.
And the victory was completed with five minutes to go as McManaman volleyed home Josh Ezewele's cross from 12 yards.Berahino stepped up to slot home a spotkick after Shephard was penalised for a foul in the box.
