Young Robins flying – and a Williams bow

Wednesday, January 27th 2021

City Under-23s went top of the Professional Development League with a 3-1 win over Swansea City, which included a debut in Robins colours for Joe Williams.

A brace from Tommy Conway (pictured above) and a third goal from Louis Britton saw City complete a season double over the Swans at their fog-bound Training Academy Centre in South Wales.

It was a doubly pleasing evening for City, who made it eight wins from 12, as summer signing Williams, captain for the evening, came through 45 minutes following thigh and hamstring injuries that had ruled him out of the season to date.

WATCH CITY'S GOALS

City Head Coach Dean Holden praised coaches Alex Ball, Rene Gilmartin, Ali Hines and Academy and Under-23s staff and players, which included recent first team squad members Sam Pearson, Ryley Towler and Jojo Wollacott.

Holden said: “It’s another win for the Under-23s and they have gone top of the league which is pleasing. It’s not easy for them. Everybody talks about the first team but they are having to adapt their training times around the first team because of the bubbles and it’s a huge credit to everyone involved.

WATCH DEAN HOLDEN ON CITY UNDER-23s

“Joe was always going to get 45 minutes and he has come through that successfully. He got booked, which I am not surprised about! He’ll feel a million dollars on the back of that. It’s been a long season for him. We have to be calm with him but hopefully now we are starting to see the end of the road.”

Conway, back with the development squad from Bath City due to a two-week Covid-enforced National League break, struck inside the first minute following a cutback from Josh Owers, before Swansea equalised with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

Britton headed over from a corner before Conway made it 2-1 ahead of the break when he got on the end of a lofted pass from Sam Pearson and flicked the ball home.

Joe Williams had 45 minutes for the Under-23s

Williams made way at half-time as scheduled, with Alex Scott his replacement. It only took seven second half minutes for City to extend their lead with Ayman Benarous providing the assist after a team build-up for Britton, who calmly finished.

Louis Britton, pictured earlier in the season, made it three for the Under-23s

Pearson almost made it four when he hit the post with a header as City finished strongly to complete a successful night across the border.

City Under-23s: Wollacott, Allen (Wood 83), Harper, Towler, Low, Williams (capt, Scott 45), Owers, Pearson, Conway, Britton, Benarous (Francois 75). Sub not used: Robertson (GK).