Report | Queens Park Rangers U21s 1 Swansea City U21s 3
A Josh Pesctore strike and a Thomas Woodward brace ensured Swansea City Under-21s picked up three points on the road with victory over Queens Park Rangers.
After a goalless first half, Pescatore struck within minutes of the restart, but the hosts were immediately level through Philip Sanyaolu's header from close range.
However, a two-goal salvo from Woodward - fresh off international duty with Wales Under-19s - got Swansea City back to winning ways as they bounced back from a 5-0 defeat to the R’s just over a week ago.
The Swans set their stall out by making a confident start.
Twice they came close to carving the home defence open, with Woodward and Sam Parker seeing efforts blocked.
With 15 minutes played, the Swans had the ball in the back of the net following a scramble in the box, but the referee chalked it off after a foul in the build up.
Parker was involved in front of goal again moments later. The 18-year-old won a corner-kick before he and Aimar Govea linked up well for the former to force Joel Halliday into a low save.
When QPR did fashion a chance for Leon Scarlett, Arthur Parker made a key intervention and started a rapid Swansea counter that ended with Morgan Bates tapped wide after excellent play by him and Sam Parker.
Rangers began to put pressure on in the closing stages of the first half. Sanyaolu unleashed an effort which was comfortable for Kit Margetson to gather, and the contest was goalless after 45 minutes.
The hosts came out of the blocks following the restart and Scarlett sliced the ball wide at the near post, but Swansea were the ones to break the deadlock moments later.
And it was Pescatore who took full advantage of being left in space to send an unstoppable strike beyond Halliday.
However, the visitors’ deserved lead was shortlived after Rangers swept into the Swans' half and teed up Sanyaolu to head home.
Swansea instantly fashioned chances to regain their lead, and Govea and Woodward were denied by Hoops stopper Halliday, who had featured prominently in his side's victory last week.
And they did regain their lead when Pescatore turned provider with a high ball into the box from the right, and Woodward timed his run to connect and head the ball past the outstretched hands of Halliday.
Substitute Callum Deacon almost made an immediate impact as the second-year scholar was left unmarked on the edge of the box and got away a shot that was only denied by the crossbar, before his great delivery into the area ended with Govea's overhead kick flying over the bar.
But Swansea sealed the win in the closing stages as Woodward completed his brace, skilfully bringing the ball under his control before sending it into the back of the net from Govea's free-kick.
Swansea City Under-21s: Kit Margetson, Josh Pescatore, Sebastian Dabrowski (captain), Jacob Cook (Callum Deacon 70), Richard Faakye (Jack Fanning 35), Arthur Parker, Sam Parker (Iestyn Jones 45), Dan Watts, Morgan Bates (Sammy Henia-Kamu 70), Thomas Woodward, Aimar Govea.
Substitutes: Sam Seager.