Report | Swansea City U21s 4 Colchester United U21s 1

Another Kristian Fletcher hat-trick and a maiden Swansea City Under-21s' goal from Charlie Veevers clinched a third consecutive league victory as Colchester United were defeated at Landore.

Veevers opened the scoring when he steered the ball into the net from a Kyrell Wilson cross. 

And DC United loanee Fletcher then bagged yet another hat-trick - following on from his treble against Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

He netted two quickfire goals within three minutes in the first period, then added a thunderous strike approaching the hour mark. 

The visitors did deny the home side yet another clean sheet after Kaan Bennett slotted home, but it was no more than a consolation.

Zane Myers, Jack Stafford and Maliq Cadogan came in for Joe Thomas, Richard Faakye and Liam Smith respectively following the win over Ipswich. 

Archie Matthews made his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, replacing Remy Mitchell in goal, while Nathanael Ogbeta was named on the bench after he returned from his own long lay-off. 

The hosts had a chance early on when a lofted ball over the top fell to Wilson, whose header was cleared off the line by Jet Dyer. 

Cadogan then forced a strong block from Harrison Chamberlain in the U’s goal, before skipper Filip Lissah headed over from a Dan Watts free-kick. 

Down the other end, Bennett forced two great saves from Matthews, before Fletcher saw a close-range shot blocked by Dyer, and then drilled an effort straight at Chamberlain after weaving through a crowd of defenders.

Fletcher and Wilson so nearly combined on the half-hour mark with a sharp attack, but the former’s delivery couldn’t connect with his strike partner in the box. 

But the Swans did take the lead in the 31st minute, Wilson did well to win the ball amongst a crowd of U's defenders before embarking on a mazy run to tee up Veevers, with the midfielder calmly finding the net for his first goal for the under-21s.

It was soon 2-0, and it was Fletcher on the scoresheet again. Sam Parker drove infield from the right past a host of yellow shirts, and Fletcher finished off his delivery to find the back of the net.

The goals kept coming, and Fletcher converted his second in barely two minutes as he fired home, cutting inside before sending a shot into the bottom right-hand corner. 

It gave the Swans a three-goal lead at the break, and they controlled the early stages of the second period. 

It was proving an entertaining contest, and Fletcher would complete a second hat-trick in as many games thanks to a wonderful strike into the top corner from 20 yards.

Colchester looked to respond, but Matthews did well to come off his line to intercept Kaleel Green’s solo run. 

But the visitors did deny the Swans a third clean sheet in a row. Bennett capitalising on a mistake at the back before fashioning a strike that Matthews got his fingertips to but could not keep out. 

Veevers came agonisingly close to netting his second of the afternoon, after Ogbeta and Myers combined down the left - but his strike bounced off the crossbar.

The Swans were then forced down to 10 men after Fletcher was withdrawn due to a groin issue, but the Swans were able to ease to a comfortable victory.

Swansea City Under-21s: Archie Matthews, Sam Parker, Zane Myers, Mitchell Bates, Filip Lissah (captain) (Harry Jones 46), Jack Stafford, Kyrell Wilson (Liam Smith 46), Charlie Veevers, Kristian Fletcher, Dan Watts (Richard Faakye 71), Maliq Cadogan (Nathanael Ogbeta 60).

Unused Substitutes: Remy Mitchell.