Swansea City Under-23s West Ham Premier League 2
26th August
Swansea City Under-23s maintained their 100 per cent record in Premier League 2 (Division 2) following a 2-0 win over West Ham at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.
After a goalless first half, Owain Jones broke the deadlock with a close-range finish from Tyler Reid's cross before Botti Bia Bi's composed finish settled the contest.
The young Swans, who also saw Marvin Emnes denied from the penalty spot, ensured they maintained their perfect record to the campaign, which also includes wins over West Brom and Wolves.
After a goalless first half, Owain Jones broke the deadlock with a close-range finish from Tyler Reid's cross before Botti Bia Bi's composed finish settled the contest.
The young Swans, who also saw Marvin Emnes denied from the penalty spot, ensured they maintained their perfect record to the campaign, which also includes wins over West Brom and Wolves.
Swansea City Under-23s made three changes to the side that beat Wolves last time out.
Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti replaced Gregor Zabret, while Welsh international Neil Taylor returned to the starting line-up as the left-back continued to regain match fitness.
Midfielder Adnan Maric was handed his first start of the season after making a substitute appearance during the win over Wolves.
Experienced forward Marvin Emnes retained his role in the starting XI after netting two goals during Monday's 4-3 win.
SWANS U23s: Mark Birighitti, Tyler Reid, Neil Taylor (Aaron Lewis, 70), Tom Holland, Keston Davies (capt), Joe Rodon, Daniel James, Adnan Maric (Ryan Blair, 49), Botti Bia Bi, Owain Jones (Alex Bray, 76), Marvin Emnes.
SUBS NOT USED: Gregor Zabret, George Byers.
WEST HAM U23s: Nathan Trott, Alex Pike, Noha Sylvestre, Alfie Lewis (Jaanai Gordon, 70), Olatunji Akinola, Declan Rice (capt), Grady Diangana (Jahmal Hector-Ingram, 83), Moses Makasi, Antonio Martinez, Marcus Browne, Joe Powell (Dan Kemp, 70).
SUBS NOT USED: Tyler Forde, Anthony Scully.
It was West Ham who had the first shot on goal in the opening minutes as Grady Diangana saw his effort saved comfortably by Mark Birighitti in the Swans net.
The Swans broke on the counter attack moments later as winger Owain Jones found space to shoot only for Nathan Trott to gather his short comfortably.
Hammers striker Antonio Martinez then took advantage of a poor pass at the back to race into the box, but his shot was blocked by the defensive pair of Keston Davies and Joe Rodon before Birighitti saved the striker's follow-up.
Jones then went close as he almost got on the end of Davies' header from a corner before Marvin Emnes' half-volley tested Trott after a good break down the flank from Jones.
HALF-TIME: Swans U23s 0 - 0 West Ham U23s
After the break, Daniel James fired a shot inches wide before the winger burst into the box and fired low at goal, only for his strike to be kept out by the legs of Trott.
Minutes later, Botti Bia Bi squared a ball to James inside the area only for the winger's shot to be cleared off the line by West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Swansea's pressure in attack did pay off two minutes later as Tyler Reid's cross found Jones at the near post, and he fired high into the net from three yards.
The U23s could have added more to their tally a few minutes later as Bia Bi found Emnes only for the Dutchman's effort to be saved by the legs of Trott.
Substitute Alex Bray hit the side netting before the Swans were awarded a penalty after James was brought down. Emnes' spot-kick, however, was saved by Trott.
The miss didn't matter though as Swansea doubled their lead two minutes before full-time as Bray won the ball and played in Bia Bi. The striker kept his composure and coolly slotted past Trott to seal victory.
The wins see the development squad keep their 100 per cent record in tact in Premier League 2 (Division 2).
Note: Due to Premier League rights restrictions, we are unable to stream U23 games live via our YouTube channel swanstv.com
