Swansea City under-23s Newcastle United
16th January
An Oli McBurnie helped Swansea City Under-23s extend their lead at the top of Premier League 2 to 13 points after a 3-1 win over Newcastle United at Landore.
The Swans took the lead on ten minutes after the Scottish striker beat his man in the box before rifling into the top corner.
The Swans took the lead on ten minutes after the Scottish striker beat his man in the box before rifling into the top corner.
Tyler Reid's cross then found McBurnie, and he poked home under keeper Nathan Harker to double the lead midway through the first half.
Swansea continued to dominate after the restart as Alex Bray's run earned the home side a penalty, with McBurnie netting his third of the night from the spot.
A late consolation from Magpies striker Tom Heardman could not dent a solid performance as the young Swans clinched their 13th league win of the season and a ninth consecutive victory.
Gary Richards and Cameron Toshack made six changes to the side that beat Wolves' academy in the Checkatrade Trophy the previous week.
Defender Connor Roberts returned from his loan at League Two side Bristol Rovers to start at left-back while Slovenian keeper Gregor Zabret also returned in goal.
Elsewhere, Ryan Blair, Jay Fulton, Alex Bray and Owain Jones were all back in the Swans midfield, while Oli McBurnie kept his place up front.
Daniel James missed out on through injury, while Alex Samuel recently joined League Two side Newport County on loan.
SWANS U23s: Gregor Zabret, Tyler Reid, Connor Roberts, Ryan Blair, Keston Davies (Capt), Joe Rodon, Alex Bray, Jay Fulton, Oli McBurnie, George Byers, Owain Jones (Jordan Garrick, 74).
UNUSED SUBS: Aaron Lewis, Lewis Thomas, Botti Biabi, Adnan Marić.
NEWCASTLE UTD U23s: Nathan Harker, Michael Newberry, Adam Wilson (Callum Williams, 66), Jack Hunter, Owen Bailey, Curtis Good, Owen Gallacher (Lewis Cass, 79), Dan Ward, Tom Heardman, Liam Smith (Matty Longstaff, 66), Callum Smith.
UNUSED SUBS: Ben Smith, Elias Sorensen.
Swansea attacked from the kick-off as Owain Jones and Alex Bray looked sharp down the flanks.
The fast-paced start meant it did not take long for the Swans to test Newcastle's goal as Magpies keeper Nathan Harker had to be alert to deny George Byers' shot from four yards.
Swansea took a deserved lead after ten minutes as Connor Roberts pass found McBurnie on the right flank, and he beat his man in the box before firing a powerful effort into the top corner.
The Swans then doubled their lead just before the 20-minute mark as Tyler Reid's cross found McBurnie, and the striker raced in to slot his effort just under Harker.
Swansea continued to dominate the attack in the first half as Harker's reflex save denied Alex Bray's header inside the area.
The hosts continued to press as Reid's counter attack unlocked Newcastle's defence to set up Byers, and when his rebound fell to McBurnie, the striker's shot cannoned off the crossbar.
The visitors tried to reduce the deficit as Gregor Zabret was called into action to deny Magpies striker Tom Heardman, while the Slovenian then saved Michael Newberry's shot just before half-time.
HALF TIME: Swans U23s 2-0 Newcastle U23s
Buoyed by their fine start, the young Swans continued to search for another goal.
The chances kept coming as Byers failed to connect properly with Reid's cross before Roberts' volley was padded over by Newberry.
Newcastle looked for a way back into the game but defender Keston Davies denied Liam Smith a chance at goal just as he was about to let rip.
The chances kept coming as Byers failed to connect properly with Reid's cross before Roberts' volley was padded over by Newberry.
At the other end, Swansea were dangerous on the counter attack as Bray raced forward before his run was ended by a foul in the box to earn a penalty.
McBurnie stepped up to net his hat-trick from 12 yards with a cool finish into the bottom corner that sent Harker the wrong way.
The league leaders continued to attack, though, as Byers' effort was tipped over by Harker midway through the period.
The Magpies did eventually find the net inside the last ten minutes as Heardman pounced on a loose ball to cut inside and beat the onrushing Zabret.
Newcastle continued to press as Zabret saved Callum Smith's low shot in stoppage time, but the Swans were not denied a convincing victory at Landore.
