Report | Swansea City U18s 6 Colchester United U18s 2

Morgan Bates netted a hat-trick as Swansea City Under-18s made it back-to-back wins on home turf with a handsome victory over Colchester United.

The Swans were 2-1 up at the break thanks to fine finishes from Aidan Higgins and Bates, while a quick counter from the U's allowed Raashad Drysdale to halve the deficit. 

The goals continued to come thick and fast in the second half, Milo Robinson netted his first goal of the season on the hour mark, with Bates getting his second minutes later. 

Eighteen-year-old Bates then grabbed a third and completed his hat-trick to make it 5-1.

Kai Martin pulled a goal back from the spot for the visitors, but substitute Callum Jones rounded off the scoring for the Swans. 

The home side had been in control from the off, and they had an early chance when Higgins sent Ramon Rees-Siso through on goal, but his volley flew wide of the target.

In-form Bates then forced Jack Sexton into his first save, the Colchester keeper pushed away his low effort from a run down the right.

Bates looked to turn provider, picking out Robinson with a lovely through ball, but the Wales youth international sent his effort over the bar. 

But the Swans did get the breakthrough in the 17th minute.

Higgins latched on to a slide-rule pass before lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net for the opening goal.

Bates would soon double the lead, firing home from close range after Sexton had failed to gather in the ball.

However, the visitors responded by pulling a goal back with their first attempt on goal as Drysdale sent the ball into the bottom corner after a rapid counter-attack.

That left the score at 2-1 at the break, and Colchester had penalty appeals waved away early in the second half when Drysdale tumbled in the area.

But Swansea restored their two-goal lead just before the hour mark, a series of crosses into the box ended with the ball landing at Robinson's feet, and he sent his low drive into the bottom corner.

Immediately from the restart, the Swans bagged another. Osian Williams showed his pace and got the better of his man down the right before drilling the ball into the area, allowing Bates to turn and slot home. 

Substitutes Kiel Higginson and Jones made an immediate impact, and a good team move sent Rees-Siso on his away, but Sexton was equal to his curling effort.

Bates then completed his hat-trick in style, guiding the ball into the back of the net following a high cross in from the right.

Colchester reduced the deficit once more after Drysdale was fouled in the area, with skipper Martin converting from the spot.

Swansea spurned further chances, but the sixth goal did come after Jones embarked on a mazy run and drilled a low shot in from the edge of the box.