Report | Barnsley U21s 2 Swansea City U21s 1
Ben Lloyd's first-half goal wasn't enough for Swansea City Under-21s as Barnsley produced a second-half comeback to claim the three points in their Professional Development League clash at Oakwell.
Lloyd netted the opener after a solid start from the Swans with a smart finish.
But the Tykes struck twice within 10 minutes in the second half through Barry Cotter's low strike and Fabio Jalo's solo effort to complete the turnaround.
Eighteen-year-old Mitchell Bates made the Swans matchday squad for the first time since signing for the club back in January after being sidelined by injury, whilst Filip Lissah made his first start in over six months.
Changes were made to the starting XI that faced Millwall last time out. Azeem Abdulai and Tivonge Rushesha were called upon to train with Russell Martin's first-team squad, which meant Kian Jenkins and Lissah came into the side, while under-18 players Iwan Morgan, Dan Watts and Ewan Griffiths were on the bench.
The Swans pushed forward from the start. Lloyd’s lovely slide-rule pass found the onrushing Liam Smith, before a last-ditch challenge from Trialist A denied the Scotsman.
It was a solid opening from the visitors. Kai Ludvigsen and skipper Joel Cotterill worked space down the right flank superbly, and Lloyd’s eventual chipped shot was held by Adam Hayton in the Barnsley goal.
Down the other end, Barnsley's Cotter effort from an acute angle bounced off the top of the crossbar.
But it was the Swans who took the lead through Lloyd in the 17th minute.
The Wales youth international was found in stride by an excellent through ball, and he made no mistake as he advanced towards Hayton and fired the ball past the keeper into the middle of the net.
The hosts looked to respond, with Swansea keeper Remy Mitchell pushing wide an angled Fabio Jalo effort, while Trialist C had a shot go well over the bar.
The temperature rose between the two teams as the interval approached, with the sides exchanging half-chances at either end. Josh Thomas held off his marker to meet Cameron Congreve’s pass but he could not find the control to finish, while Mitchell tipped away a deflected strike from Trialist C.
Smith was nearly played in by Bates, but the wing-back was beaten to the ball as Hayton raced off his line to intercept.
However, the hosts struck next as they levelled just after the hour mark. A high ball fell to Cotter, and he was able to turn away from his man and slot the ball past Mitchell.
And the home side had flipped the game around just over five minutes later. Jalo capitalised on a mistake in the middle of the park and raced clear to round Mitchell and find the net and give Barnsley victory.
Swansea City Under-21s are next in action at the Swansea.com Stadium on Monday, April 24 against Sheffield United (2pm).
Barnsley Under-21s: Adam Hayton, Barry Cotter, Eduino Vaz, Danny Benson, Trialist A, Trialist B (Keegan Hartley 60'), Trialist C (Alex Joof 55'), Harrison Nejman (captain), Oli Shaw, Jordan Helliwell, Fabio Jalo (Jack Butterfill 81).
Unused subs: Paul Cooper, Trialist D.
Swansea City Under-21s: Remy Mitchell, Filip Lissah (Harry Jones 62'), Kian Jenkins (Mitchell Bates 62'), Joel Cotterill (captain), Kai Ludvigsen, Ben Blythe, Liam Smith, Josh Thomas, Cameron Congreve, Ben Lloyd, Sam Leverett.
Unused subs: Ewan Griffiths, Dan Watts, Iwan Morgan.