Swansea City Under-23s Premier League Cup

Swansea City Under-23s took another step towards progressing from their Premier League Cup group with a narrow 1-0 win over Southampton at Staplewood Campus.

The Saints started brightly with defender Will Wood's shot from the edge of the area sailing narrowly over the crossbar in the third minute.

Winger Jordan Garrick then worked his way into the box with the Swans' first attack only to see his effort denied by Southampton's defence.

Swansea broke the deadlock after 21 minutes as midfielder Adam King's low shot from 25 yards found the back of the net with the help of a slight deflection from Saints skipper Alfie Jones.

The Saints looked for an immediate response but midfielder Callum Slattery sent his effort over the crossbar before Swans keeper Lewis Thomas saved Tyreke Johnson's shot from the edge of the area.

The home side continued to look for an equaliser throughout the second half as substitute striker Ryan Seager fired over from eight yards before Thomas saved from Slattery to keep the Swans' lead intact.

Left-back Stephen Kingsley saw his free-kick blocked minutes before the final whistle as the visitors recorded their second win in Group A.

The victory keeps Swansea second in the table - level on points with Newcastle, who are top of Group A.

The young Swans next face a double-header against Bristol City in the competition with their first match against the Robins at Landore on Thursday, February 23 (2pm).

SOUTHAMPTON U23s: Mouez Hassen, Yan Valery, Will Wood, Armani Little, Ollie Cook, Alfie Jones (Capt), Josh Sims, Callum Slattery, Marcus Barnes (Ryan Seager, 46), Olufela Olomola, Tyreke Johnson (Siph Mdlalose, 75).

UNUSED SUBS: Kingsley Latham, Richard Bakary, Ben Rowthorn.

SWANS U23s: Lewis Thomas, Connor Roberts, Stephen Kingsley, Ryan Blair, Keston Davies (Capt), Tyler Reid, Daniel James (Kenji Gorre, 71), Adam King, Oliver McBurnie, Adnan Maric, Jordan Garrick.

UNUSED SUBS: Gregor Zabret, Tom Plezier, George Byers, Aaron Lewis.