Report | Swansea City U18s 4 Bristol City U18s 4

Swansea City Under-18s had to settle for a point after playing out an eight-goal thriller against Bristol City in their opening Professional Development League Cup group-stage fixture.

The Swans, who reached the final of last season's competition, were ahead inside 10 minutes after Thomas Woodward struck, before the striker turned provider to tee up a trialist for a tap-in.

The second period saw the visitors hit back with two quick-fire goals to level proceedings, only for the Swans to regain the lead when Woodward again found the net.

Rushon Walker made it 3-3 shortly after, before Woodward completed his hat-trick to put the home side in front for the third time with a fine header. 

However, the scoring was not done and the visitors snatched a point in the last five minutes through Walker.

Woodward, Callum Deacon and Jacob Cook had all started for the Swans after getting minutes with the under-21s in their game against Barnsley on Monday. 

The Swans started brightly, controlling possession, and they were rewarded with an early breakthrough.

A fine pass found Woodward, who held off Jaiden Foxwell to slide the ball beyond Robins keeper Freddie Godden.

The visitors sought a response, and Brogan Popham made a brilliant block to prevent Charlie Fikler tucking away a loose ball.

The Swans made the most of that let-off and doubled their lead on the 20-minute mark when Aidan Higgins was slipped in down the left by Ramon Rees-Siso. His cutback found Woodward and the ball eventually fell for a trialist to slot home.

The visitors tested Sam Seager in the Swansea goal, Reubin Sheppard’s free-kick going agonisingly wide of the near post while, at the other end, Higgins had a tame shot saved by Godden.

Swansea kept their two-goal lead at the break, but it did not last long as the Robins pulled one back after a scramble in the box.

And Fikler soon levelled matters when he drilled a strike into the bottom corner.

Swansea would find themselves ahead again when Woodward fended off two Bristol defenders to turn on the edge of the box and fire straight down the middle to make it 3-2.

But the goals kept coming. The away team going straight back up the other end as a sharp counter-attack was finished by Walker.

The action continued to sweep from end to end and Woodward put the home side in front once more as he headed in a Kai Rhodes cross to claim his treble.

But victory was not to be as Walker converted from a free-kick into the area during the closing stages.

Swansea City Under-18s: Sam Seager, Billy Clarke, Callum Deacon (Kiel Higginson 85), Jacob Cook, Brogan Popham, Osian Williams, Aidan Higgins, Thomas Woodward (Harvey Gray 90), Trialist, Ramon Rees-Siso (Kai Rhodes 45), Josh Pescatore (Milo Robinson 85).

Substitutes: Isaac Dudding.