Preview | Baglan Dragons vs Swansea City U21s

Swansea City Under-21s kick off their second consecutive Nathaniel MG Cup campaign when they face Baglan Dragons this afternoon (2.30pm).

Matchday and ticketing details can be found HERE.

The development side reached the final of last season’s competition having been handed a wildcard entry, and they have once again been granted the chance to compete by the Football Association of Wales.

Should Swansea advance, they will travel to face Cwmbran Celtic or Trethomas Bluebirds in the second round.

Port Talbot-based Baglan are in their second season in the JD Cymru South, after winning the Ardal Southern play-offs at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. 

The Dragons bowed out of Nathaniel MG Cup in the first round last term, after suffering defeat to local rivals Afan Lido.

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

Coach Anthony Wright: "We are excited to have been invited back to the Nathaniel MG Cup this year, it's a brilliant learning experience for our young players.

"We were so proud of the boys for reaching the final last year, we were disappointed to lose, but the boys took a lot away from it having faced the best team in the Welsh domestic leagues.

"This year, we'll have some boys who played in the competition last season and we'll have some that will be completely new to it, and it'll probably be the first time a lot of them have played against senior players in a competitive setting."

THROWBACK: NATHANIEL MG CUP FIRST ROUND 2023-24

Carmarthen Town 0 Swansea City 4

Swansea City Under-21s progressed to the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup after goals from Iwan Morgan (2), Ben Lloyd and Glory Nzingo sealed a dominant win over JD Cymru South outfit Carmarthen Town.

This first-round tie marked the first time the Swans had featured in the tournament.

And they thoroughly enjoyed their cup bow with all the goals coming in the first half, while the hosts were subsequently reduced to 10 men when Greg Walters saw red at their Richmond Park home.

Swansea City Under-21s: Ben Hughes, Sam Parker, Dan Watts, Joel Cotrerill (Captain) (Zane Myers 60), Ben Blythe, Filip Lissah (Arthur Parker 60), Joe Thomas (Aimar Govea 73), Glory Nzingo (Jacob Cook 73), Iwan Morgan, Ben Lloyd, Liam Smith. 

Unused Substitutes: Remy Mitchell.