Preview | Colchester United U21s v Swansea City U21s

Swansea City Under-21s will look to continue their unbeaten start to 2024 when they travel to Colchester United on Friday afternoon in the Professional Development League.

The Swans come into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 3-0 victory over second-placed Millwall at Landore Training Ground on Monday.

In the reverse fixture against the U’s, the Swans came out on top with a 4-1 victory thanks to a Kristian Fletcher hat-trick and a maiden under-21s' goal from Charlie Veevers.

Colchester currently sit bottom of the PDL South having only won two games all season, against Barnsley and Peterborough United respectively.

Pre-match views

Coach Anthony Wright: "The games are starting to come thick and fast this time of year, especially with the cup final coming up. But a busy schedule is always a good learning experience for the boys, as its what you expect in senior football.

"It's a long trip, but again, we'll prepare like any other game with analysis and video. I was really pleased with the performance against Millwall, and the quality of goals were fantastic. We want to make sure we start producing these performances away from home."

Previous meeting - February 28, 2023

Colchester United 3 Swansea City 4

Cameron Congreve scored the winner in a seven-goal thriller as Swansea City Under-21s came from behind to claim the three points on their last league visit to Colchester United at the Maldon Stadium.

The Swans had taken the lead through Josh Thomas, who netted his third goal in as many games, and moments later doubled their lead through Corey Hurford. 

However, Colchester's Kaan Bennett and Brad Ihionvien had levelled matters before the interval, with the latter adding his second after the interval to fire the U's ahead.

But the Swans responded as Ruben Davies brought them level before Congreve struck as Swansea remained undefeated in 2023.

Swansea City Under-21s: Remy Mitchell, Joe Thomas, Lincoln McFayden, Azeem Abdulai (Liam Smith 61'), Kai Ludvigsen, Ben Blythe, Cameron Congreve, Joel Cotterill (captain), Josh Thomas (Ruben Davies 61'), Ben Lloyd (Sam Leverett 72'), Corey Hurford. 

Unused subs: Ben Hughes.