Report | Swansea City U17s 4 Cheltenham Town U17s 2 (AET)

Callum Jones’ extra-time hat-trick saw Swansea City Under-17s reach the Professional Development League Cup final with a thrilling win over Cheltenham Town.

Kaven Bloniarczyk gave the Swans the lead after just seven minutes, before Cheltenham Town missed a chance to equalise when goalkeeper Tom Wright saved a penalty.

But Cameron Walters headed in an equaliser five minutes from time, and it proved enough to send the tie to an additional half-hour when Harvey Gray was denied from the spot deep into stoppage time.

Charlie Croose put Cheltenham ahead in extra-time, but Jones struck twice in the space of barely a minute to turn the tie on its head.

The drama was not done. Cheltenham were awarded another penalty, but Tom King struck the outside of the post, and Swansea swept up the other end for Jones to complete his treble and book their place in the final.

The frantic nature of the game was established early on, and Swansea could have been in front inside the first two minutes, Alex Godfrey cutting the ball back to Bobo Evans, who drilled his effort over the bar.

But the Swans would take the lead five minutes later, Bloniarczyk’s diving header from Caio Ifans’ cross opening the scoring.

Ifans continued to be dangerous for the Swans, and his delivery found Ben Phillips in the box but his close-range effort was blocked.

Despite the Swans control of the game throughout the first half, Cheltenham were given a way back in when Carter Heywood dragged King down in the box. 

Sopuru Obieri stepped up to the spot for the visitors, but Wright saved his penalty before the rebound was put over the bar.

Gray came close to doubling Swansea’s lead soon after as he raced into the box but fired just wide of the post.

Cheltenham started the second half brightly, with Caple finding space inside the Swansea box before shooting over the bar.

Godfrey responded for the Swans with a low shot that forced Mamadou Diallo into a good save.

Bloniarczyk was also denied by Diallo, and Wright saved from King as the teams continued to exchange chances.

Perry and Jones were also unable to convert good opportunities for the Swans, and Cheltenham capitalised with an equaliser five minutes from time, Walters heading home from a corner.

Swansea still had a chance to snatch the win in normal time when Gray stepped up to the spot, but Diallo saved his effort and the game went to extra-time.

The see-saw nature of the game continued as Croose went through on goal to give the visitors the lead early in the additional period.

But just four minutes later the Swans were level as Jones cut inside before hitting an incredible strike into the top-right corner.

Jones wasn’t done there, and he would repeat the trick less than a minute later as he again cut inside and dispatched another powerful shot into the net.

But there looked like there would be another twist when Cheltenham were awarded another penalty with three minutes to go. 

King stepped up to the spot for the visitors, but would hit the outside of the post as for the third time in the contest a spot-kick was missed.

And Jones would seal the win and his hat-trick deep into added time, dispossessing Cheltenham goalkeeper Diallo before converting to set Swansea up with a final assignment against Luton Town.

Swansea City Under-17s: Tom Wright, Kaven Bloniarczyk, Caio Ifans (Wahab Ojetoro 113), Harlan Perry (captain), Carter Heywood, Ben Phillips, Bobo Evans, Alfie Jones (Ioan Johnston 74), Harvey Gray (Bobby Lewis 105), Alex Godfrey, Elis Thomas (Callum Jones 45).

Unused subs: Sol Baker.

Cheltenham Town Under-17s: Mamadou Diallo, Tyler Wainwright, Ethan Hardy, Brad Burgess, Cameron Walters, Jack Robinson (Noah Carter 74), Charlie Caple (Isaac Rexworthy 74), Fred King (Chalrie Croose 84), Sopuru Obieri, Tom King, Ieuan Bailey. 

Unused subs: George McNamee.