Swansea City Under-23s Brighton Premier League 2
21st November
Swansea City Under-23s extended their unbeaten Premier League 2 run to four games with a narrow 1-0 win over Brighton at Landore on Monday.
Oli McBurnie's first-half header was the difference as the striker netted his sixth of the season from close range thanks to a cross from Tyler Ried.
The young Swans had plenty of chances to double the lead through McBurnie, George Byers and Alex Samuel.
Brigton searched for an equaliser to take a point away from Wales but could not find the net before the final whistle.
The young Swans made seven changes to the side that were held to a goalless draw against Dinamo Zagreb in the Premier League International Cup earlier this month.
First-team players Stephen Kingsley, Alfie Mawson and Nathan Dyer all started for the under-23s at Landore.
Winger Alex Samuel and midfielder Jack Evans returned to the starting XI alongside Australian international Mark Birighitti, who was back in goal.
SWANS U23s: Mark Birighitti, Tyler Reid, Stephen Kingsley, Ryan Blair, Keston Davies (Capt), Alfei Mawson, Alex Samuel (Alex Bray, 84), Jack Evans, Oli McBurnie, George Byers, Nathan Dyer (Owain Jones, 58)
UNUSED SUBS: Gregor Zabret, Botti Biabi, Tom Plezier.
BRIGHTON U23s: Robert Sanchesz, Will Collar, George Cox, Dessie Hutchinson (Capt), Ben Hall, Rob Hunt, Joe Ward (Connor Tighe, 69), Jayson Molumby, James Tilley, Jesse Starkey (Daniel Mandroiu, 80), Henrik Bjordal (Jack Harper, 80).
UNUSED SUBS: Dylan Barnett, Bailey Vose.
The young Swans started well at Landore and created a chance inside the first minute as George Byers' pass found Alex Samuel, and when he cut inside the winger fired narrowly over from 25 yards.
Minutes later first-team winger Nathan Dyer skilfully beat his marker before dribbling into the penalty area only to see his shot denied by Robert Sanchez in the Seagulls net.
The young Swans took the lead on 15 minutes as a cross from Tyler Reid on the right found striker Oli McBurnie to head home his sixth of the season in all competitions from close range.
Swansea could have doubled the lead five minutes later as McBurnie beat his man before racing through on goal before squaring to Byers in the box, but Brighton defender Ben Hall denied the midfielder with a vital block.
The home side continued to press as a cross from Stephen Kingsley on the left found McBurnie in the area, only for the Scot to see his half-volley saved by Sanchez.
Brighton looked to get back on level terms five minutes before the break as Joe Ward's free-kick found Hall on the edge of the area, but the defender's header dropped wide of the post.
Seagulls defender Will Collar's powerful shot on goal then forced a superb save from Mark Birighitti in the Swans net seconds before half-time.
HALF-TIME: Swans U23 1 - 0 Brighton U23s
Swansea raced out of the blocks in the second half as Dyer went on a driving run down the right wing with his pass finding Samuel before the play broke down.
Minutes later Kingsley's rifled shot towards goal cannoned off the legs of Hall to deny a second goal, while the Seagulls could have pulled level on the hour mark as Ward met Henrik Bjordal's cross with a header from close range only for Birighitti to palm over the bar with a superb save.
Minutes later Kingsley's rifled shot towards goal cannoned off the legs of Hall to deny a second goal, while the Seagulls could have pulled level on the hour mark as Ward met Henrik Bjordal's cross with a header from close range only for Birighitti to palm over the bar with a superb save.
The Australian keeper was again called into action minutes later to deny Jesse Starkey's 30-yard free-kick.
The hosts continued to carve out chances in the final third as Reid's cross from the right almost found Samuel in the area to double the lead.
Great build-up play minutes later saw Samuel's cross from the left find Owain Jones in the box, only for the substitute's effort to roll inches wide of the post.
McBurnie almost bagged his second of the night when he raced onto a poor back pass only for Sanchez to clear the ball seconds before the striker could pounce.
A superb punch from Birighitti seconds before the full-time whistle denied one last Seagulls attack to ensure the young Swans earned their fourth league win in a row.
