Report | Sheffield United U23s 0 Swansea City U23s 1

4th May
Jake Thomas

Swansea City Under-23s beat Professional Development League 2 North champions Sheffield United 1-0 to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Kris O’Leary’s side had to show their defensive resolve at the Technique Stadium – home of Chesterfield – as they prevented the North division’s top scorers from finding a breakthrough.

And it paid off as a trialist fired home from the edge of the box to seal a sixth win of the campaign and inflict just a fourth defeat on the Blades.

Their sound defensive efforts mean they have now lost just once in their last nine games – on top of  a third consecutive clean sheet - with O’Leary’s team facing fixtures at Colchester on Friday and Sheffield Wednesday next Monday.

The Blades were on the front foot in the first half, with Oluwafemi Seriki seeing his shot deflected onto the crossbar in the early exchanges.

Antwoine Hackford was then thwarted before the striker saw another effort cleared off the Swans’ line.

Zak Brunt’s powerful effort was then kept out before the Blades saw shots from Will Osula and Andre Brooks blocked by the Swans defence.

The Swans had more of an attacking edge after the break, and Bradley Gibbings had the visitors’ first real chance after 70 minutes as he launched a counter attack and raced into the Blades’ box. However, he scuffed his shot with Ali Al-Hamadi just failing to make contact as he lent support.

However, the game-changing moment came five minutes later as one of the Swans’ five trialists fired in from the edge of the box to give the Swans the lead.

O’Leary’s side continued to defend bravely, making countless blocks and crucial interceptions, as they held on for a hard-fought victory.

Swans U23s: Trialist, Ryan Bevan, Harry Jones, Trialist, Trialist, Jake Thomas (Scott Butler, 70), Bradley Gibbings (Mike Murphy, 88), Daniel Williams (capt), Ali Al-Hamadi, Trialist, Trailist.

Subs not used: Jamie Searle, Jacob Jones, Rio Campbell.