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Debutant Kristian Fletcher's last-minute header completed a second-half comeback for Swansea City's Under-21s as they claimed their first away win of the season against Coventry City at the CBS Arena.
A goal in the first five minutes put the Swans ahead after Mitchell Bates struck wonderfully from 30 yards.
However, a goal either side of the break from Justin Obikwu looked to have given Coventry the three points, but the young Swans had other ideas.
Kyrell Wilson pulled the Swans level with a header in the final 10 minutes before Fletcher netted the dramatic winner in stoppage time.
There had been just one change to the starting XI that claimed victory over Hull City at the Swansea.com Stadium last time out for the visitors, with Filip Lissah coming in for Harry Jones, while Fletcher - loan arrival from DC United - was named on the bench.
There was also a welcome return for Ben Lloyd and Ruben Davies after spells on the sideline due to injury.
A pacy start from the Swans saw Wilson - fresh from his brace against Hull City - link up with in-form Sam Parker, but the Welshman’s delivery flashed across the face of goal.
But seconds later, the Swans were ahead thanks to a blistering strike from Bates, after the 19-year-old latched on to a loose ball in the middle of the park and fired an unstoppable effort into the net.
The Sky Blues looked to respond from the restart, with Coventry striker Obikwu testing Evan Watts with two efforts from distance, but they caused no bother for the Swans stopper.
The teams exchanged half-chances before the Swans came agonisingly close to doubling their lead when Kian Jenkins’ low corner was chipped over the bar by Kai Ludvigsen. At the other end, Lissah did well to prevent Marco Rus from driving into the Swansea area.
The home side continued to press, and the pace of Obikwu was offering a real outlet for the Sky Blues who looked increasingly threatening on the break.
The leveller did come for Coventry and it was Obikwu who won and converted a penalty for his side after being brought down in the Swans box.
The game opened up with the scores level. Lissah’s header from a Swansea corner was well saved by Luke Bell, before Jenkins’ free-kick from a tight angle was controlled by Ludvigsen, but his low strike was denied by Bell.
The second period saw the introduction of Lloyd and Fletcher, with the former immediately making an impact after going on a fine solo run down the middl before firing just wide of the post.
However, the Sky Blues responded by taking the lead, with Obikwu completing his brace by tapping in from close range.
Fletcher looked sharp, beating three Sky Blues defenders after a mazy run into the box from his own half, but the resulting strike deflected out for a Swans corner.
The home side countered. A great save from Watts stopped Rus from making it 3-1 after the Coventry skipper was found unmarked.
The Swans made the most of that save and drew level when Wilson got his head to a delivery from Parker and guided the ball beyond the outstretched Coventry keeper with 10 minutes remaining. It was the 18-year-old's third goal in two games.
And it got even better for the visitors in injury time as they completed the comeback.
Fletcher got on the end of a curling delivery from Lloyd into the box, turning the ball into an open net to seal the three points and mark his Swans debut in style.
Coventry City Under-21s: Luke Bell (GK), Dermi Lusala, Callum Perry, Riccardo Di Trolio, Trialist, Trialist, Elliott Betjemann, Marco Rus (C), Evan Eghosa, Bradley Stretton, Justin Obikwu.
Substitutes: Luis Lines (GK), Rylie Siddall, Trialist, Trialist, Aiden Dausch.
Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Watts, Kai Ludvigsen, Zane Myers (Kristian Fletcher 45), Kian Jenkins (captain), Filip Lissah, Richard Faakye (Ben Lloyd 45), Sam Parker, Mitchell Bates, Kyrell Wilson, Maliq Cadogan (Ruben Davies 70), Liam Smith.
Substitutes: Remy Mitchell.
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Anthony Wright praised Swansea City Under-21s' character and resilience as they came from behind to claim their first away win of the season seeing off Coventry City 3-2 at the CBS Arena.
A goal in the first five minutes put the Swans ahead after Mitchell Bates struck wonderfully from 30 yards.
However, a goal either side of the break from Justin Obikwu looked to have given Coventry the three points, but the young Swans had other ideas.
Kyrell Wilson pulled the Swans level with a header in the final 10 minutes before debutant Kristian Fletcher netted the dramatic winner in stoppage time.
“Overall, I actually really enjoyed that game. Both sides went at it, and that added a real edge to the match," said Wright.
“From our side, I think we did some really good things in the first half, but also some things that we weren’t quite so pleased with.
“We played ourselves into trouble at times, our decision making on the build wasn’t quite good enough in the first half.
“We were still creating chances, but we were also allowing them to look quite dangerous at times on the transition.
“We regrouped at half-time, and we spoke about the things we asked the players to work on throughout the week, and why they were important in this game.
“Then, in the second half, we dominated the game. The way that we built and the way that we kept the ball, the opportunities that we created got us back into it.
“The boys showed great character, they didn’t sink at any point and I think we actually grew and went up another gear after going behind. We showed real resilience.
“In the last 30 minutes, we caused Coventry all sorts of problems, and full credit to the players because they were still in the game and still looked dangerous.
“Overall, I’m really pleased with the desire and application to win the game.” |  |
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