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Four first-half goals from Ruben Davies and a last-minute strike from Corey Hurford saw Swansea City Under-21s secure a second consecutive victory at Landore as they beat Ipswich Town in the Professional Development League.
Davies scored twice within three minutes, before adding two more to the scoresheet ensuring the Swans went into the interval with a handy lead.
However, Ipswich pulled two quick-fire goals back through Osman Foyo and Joe Edwards to half their deficit just past the hour mark.
There were some anxious moments after Harry Barbrook struck a third for the Tractor Boys, but Hurford was on hand to finish things off for the Swans in the final minute.
There was an anxious moment in the close stages as the Tractor Boys pulled back a third through Harry Barbrook, but the Swans prevailed to claim the three points after Hurford buried the game in the 90th minute with a superb strike.
Wales age-grade internationals Kit Margetson, Dan Watts, and Joel Cotterill all featured in the matchday squad, with the latter skippering the side.
Meanwhile, Azeem Abdulai lined up at the back following his international debut for Scotland Under-21s in Spain last week.
Swansea would have wanted to get off to a bright start, but Ipswich drove forward almost instantly. Rakealan Jeffers produced an excellent run down the left flank before being tripped in the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty.
The Swans soon found their footing. Liam Smith’s cross-field pass fell into the path of Davies, who calmly guided the ball past Woody Williamson from close range.
And they doubled their lead just three minutes after the opener with a superb solo goal.
It was that man Davies again, beating defenders before taking the ball round the keeper to drill home for a brace inside the opening 10 minutes.
Swansea were firmly on top, and were rewarded as they bagged a third with less than half-an-hour played.
A clever set-piece routine started with a short corner from Smith. Sam Leverett chipped it into the box where a period of pinball followed before the ball arrived at Davies’ feet for him to fire home his third of the afternoon.
The visitors appealed for offside, but the goal stood.
The Tractor Boys picked up some steam approaching the break, Jeffers’ nearly snuck a long-range effort past Swans keeper Remy Mitchell only for it to go just over.
Swansea responded well to the increased pressure and further extended their lead.
Davies continued to be most influential man on the pitch, and the striker capitalised on a mistake from keeper Williamson to ease the ball into the empty net.
The second half opened with chances for both teams. Barbrook’s high flick was safely collected by Mitchell, before Smith’s outstanding run was brought to a halt after he was fouled.
Cotterill and Abdulai produced two lovely passes to get Swansea back on the attack, and the second of those led to Smith just failing to connect from an excellent delivery from Tivonge Rushesha.
The lively Smith was soon involved again down the left, with a superb cross to Davies, who was denied a fifth as his thunderous effort cannoned off the woodwork.
But it was Ipswich who would next find the net, Mitchell unable to keep out Fovo’s long-range effort from outside the area.
Just three minutes later, the visitors had halved their half-time deficit. The introduction of fresh legs brought renewed energy to their play, and it was Edwards who tapped home the rebound from Leon Ayinde’s initial shot.
Swansea brought on Kyrell Wilson in the closing stages as the forward returned after being on the sidelines for over four months with injury, and the 18-year-old was instantly involved as he met Ben Blythe's pass into the box, but the offside flag stopped the attack in its tracks.
But the drama was not over, Barbrook's driven shot found the bottom corner, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope entering the final stages.
However, Williamson could not stop Hurford scoring his second goal in as many games after he had curled a fine effort into the top corner.
Swansea City Under-21s: Remy Mitchell, Harry Jones, Sam Leverett, Azeem Abdulai, Kai Ludvigsen, Ben Blythe, Joe Thomas (Corey Hurford 45’), Joel Cotterill (captain), Ruben Davies (Kyrell Wilson 81'), Tivonge Rushesha, Liam Smith.
Unused Subs: Kit Margetson, Dan Watts, Arthur Parker.
Ipswich Town Under-21s: Woody Williamson, Michael Lavin, Harry Barbrook, Harry Nevin (Jack Manly 60’), Jacob Mazionis, Fin Barbrook (captain) (Tom Taylor 19’), Rio Oudnie-Morgan (Joe Edwards 45’), Ryan Carr, Rakealan Jeffers, Osman Foyo, Leon Ayinde.
Unused Subs: Jesse Ayoola, Danny Cullum. |  |
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