Jack Fanning eyeing up more cup success
Jack Fanning is hopeful Swansea City Under-18s can target more cup success after reaching the quarter-finals of the Professional Development League Cup for the first time following a tense 3-3 draw over Plymouth Argyle.
The Swans finished the group stage campaign top of Group E after wins over Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth in previous rounds, holding off a late Argyle fightback on their travels to advance to the last eight.
Fin Wilkes opened the scoring by tapping in a rebound for Plymouth inside 20 minutes, before Rohan Davies netted an equaliser from close range moments later.
The Swans were on the front foot again as Thomas Woodward sent a stunning header into the back of the net, before bagging his second from the spot in the second period.
Plymouth, knowing a win would send them through, pulled two goals back thanks to Welsh internationals Joe Hatch and Freddie Issaka.
But the Swans saw out the remainder of the game and made sure there was no repeat of 12 months ago, when defeat to Plymouth had dumped them out of the same competition.
And centre-half Fanning says the young Swans are aiming to further extend their run after reaching the knock-out stages.
"It was a real intense game, Plymouth made it really hard for us and we dealt with that well at times, but we also gave them a run in," said Fanning.
"We were in control when were 3-1 up, but we conceded that unfortunate penalty which put us a back a bit and lowered our momentum.
"They eventually got their third, but we showed our maturity at that time in the game to really fight. We kept it tight towards the end, and we defended well in the last 10 minutes.
"We all stuck together and everyone played their part. Kit [Margetson] made some unbelievable saves, he kept us in the game at the end.
"Credit to the boys in the attack, we scored three goals and Rohan [Davies] and Woody [Thomas Woodward] love scoring at the moment.
"We were all buzzing after the game, getting through to the quarters is great, especially after Plymouth knocked us out last year.
"We're definitely got targets in the cup and, with the FA Youth Cup coming up as well, we're hopeful to progress in these knockout stages.
"With the group that we have, there's no doubt we can do that."