An injury time own goal from Curtis Obeng saw Town to a 2-1 victory over 10-man Swansea and through to the first round proper of the U21 Premier League Cup at Portman Road. The Blues went behind to Kenji Gorre’s first half goal after an error from Bartosz Bialkowski, Darren McQueen (pictured) equalised shortly after the break prior to Henry Jones seeing red for the Welshmen.

Bialkowski, Cameron Stewart, Tommy Smith, Balint Bajner and Alex Henshall all started, while the Blues also included trialist left-back George Wells, 18, who is currently with Ryman Premier League side Hampton and Richmond having previously been with Chelsea and QPR’s youth set-ups.

In sodden conditions with rain continuing to fall heavily, Town threatened for the first time in the sixth minute, skipper Matt Clarke, who was playing in central midfield, fed Stewart on the left and the former Hull City man sent in a cross which McQueen nodded straight at Swansea keeper Oliver Davies but with the linesman’s flag raised.

The visitors forced Bialkowski into his first save of the game four minutes later, Ryan Hedges riding a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot which the Polish keeper claimed with little trouble.

The lively McQueen shot wide from the edge of the area on 12 after good work from Clarke.

Town had been on top during most of the first quarter hour but on 16 Swans skipper Jones lashed a powerful 25-yard strike into the side-netting. A minute later Clarke picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Alex Samuel in the centre circle.

Despite the Blues having had the better of it up to then, the visitors went ahead in the 21st minute via a Bialkowski howler. Gorre hit a speculative low 25-yard effort which skidded off the wet turf just in front of the Town keeper, who misjudged it and could only help it on its way into the corner of the net with his left hand.

The Blues had had a lot of the ball but had created little, while the Swans had regularly taken pot shots from distance hoping to make the best of the conditions. On the half hour, Kyle Copp struck another 25-yard shot which Bialkowski did well to keep out.

Four minutes later, Henshall skipped down the left wing and sent a cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Bajner looked all but certain to nod home but the wet ball slid off his head and wide.

Moments later the duo combined again, the Hungarian crossing deep from the right and Henshall taking a touch before lashing over. Trialist Wells wasn’t too far away with a strike from distance in the 38th minute.

A minute before the break Swansea broke quickly and Bialkowski did well to to save Copp’s low shot to his left.

While Town had had a lot of the ball, they hadn’t threatened to score until the closing stages. The visitors’ goal had been down to Bialkowski’s error but the Town keeper had been much the busier of the two.

The not overly involved Bajner was replaced by New Zealand U20 international Monty Patterson.

Two minutes after the restart Stewart found Henshall with a deep cross from the right but the former Manchester City man dallied and keeper Davies was able to block. From the resultant corner, Clarke headed over when he will feel he should have hit the target.

On 49 the Blues got back on terms. Patterson charged down a Swans clearance on the edge of the box and the ball ricocheted into the path of McQueen, who gleefully rolled it home from 10 yards.

Four minutes later trialist Wells twice won tackles down the left before threading an inch perfect pass through to Patterson, who smashed a shot only just wide. On 58 Kurtis March was booked for a cynical foul on McQueen as Town broke quickly.

The Blues didn’t threaten again until 67th minute when Clarke fed right-back Joe Robinson breaking into the area. Keeper Davies saved and Patterson’s follow-up was blocked.

At the other end, Gorre sent a low ball across the six-yard box which fortunately for Town no one managed to divert into the net.

Swansea were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when Jones was shown a straight red card for a wild challenge on McQueen 10 yards outside the area. Referee Jonathan Burridge had no hesitation in dismissing the Swansea skipper and there were few complaints from the visitors.

Town looked to make the extra man tell - with few wanting to see extra-time with the rain still teeming down - and on 77 a Stewart corner from the left found Smith inside the six-yard box but the defender was unable to turn it goalwards. Patterson diving in at the post sent it into the side-netting.

A minute later, Stewart went within inches of claiming a superb equaliser with a rasping 30-yard drive that flew only just past Davies’s right post.

The Blues continued to press, Robinson hit a well struck shot which was too close to the keeper, then the impressive Kundai Benyu screwed an effort into the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

On 84 Gorre was booked for the latest in a succession of fouls, this time on Benyu 30 yards out. From the freekick the ball was played to Henshall, who rather wasted the opportunity, blazing his shot high and wide.

With a minute of normal time remaining Swansea keeper Davies made a mess of Stewart’s curling effort from distance but no Town player was able to get onto the loose ball.

As the game moved into injury time, Gorre lashed a shot wide after what was by this time a rare Swansea attack.

Just as it was looking like the tie would go into extra-time, the Blues scored a somewhat fortunate winner. Stewart crossed and Obeng looped a header over his own keeper and into the net.

Swansea had one freekick in a dangerous area which the Blues defended successfully to see themselves through to the U21 Premier League Cup first round proper.

"Overall, the Blues deserved it, however, perhaps appropriately for the conditions, they made rather heavy weather of sealing the win given the number of senior players involved and with the Swans having been down to 10 men for the final 19 minutes.

Benyu and Clarke impressed in the centre of midfield, sub Patterson made a significant impression having come off the bench at half-time, trialist Wells will have done his hopes of extending his stay at Portman Road little harm.

U21s: Bialkowski, Robinson, Wells, Benyu, Sowunmi, T Smith, Stewart, Clarke (c), McQueen, Bajner (Patterson 46), Henshall. Unused: Crowe, Kenlock, McLoughlin, Galvin.

Swansea: Davies, Obeng, Hanley, H Jones (c), Gogic, Gallipuoco, Hedges, March, Samuel (Cullen 90), Copp (Francis 61), Gorre. Unused: J Jones, Zabret, Maric.

Photo: Action Images

martleshamitfc added 21:26 - Oct 6 Was Bajner injured or just another poor performance? A full 90 minutes would have been beneficial for him but he really seems to be struggling to cope with English football!
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StowTractorBoy added 22:01 - Oct 6 Thoroughly enjoyed the match and came home very impressed with Kundai Benyu who for me was our best player. Don't think Gerks will be losing his place any time soon as Bialkowski made a complete hash of their goal although he did make a couple of decent saves. Bajner was very disappointing and does not look as if he is going to make the grade to me. Seen him a few times now and he just does not impress. Early days I know so we'll wait and see. Tommy Smith was a class above, Cameron Stewart was neat and tidy but appeared to tire. Henshall was very lively but wanted to shoot all the time however there is promise for him I believe. Afer the departure of Bajner his replacement Patterson impressed throughout the half with his non stop running and effort. McQueen was always a threat and deserved his goal albeit somewhat fortunate. Matt Clarke worked hard and George Wells the trialist grew into the game as it went on. Think we deserved the win although Swansea did not help themselves with the sending off but we looked a decent unit throughout the second half.

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Mark added 22:03 - Oct 6 Oh dear, Bajner "wasn't overly involved" and subbed at half-time. It wouldn't surprised me if we were released before too long, as he looks far below the level we need. McQueen seems to be doing much better and perhaps deserves a place on the first team bench ahead of Balint?
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linhdi added 22:30 - Oct 6 Shame only about 300 there. Fab game, really good test for Town. Omar Sowumni (no 5) was stand-out for me at the back, looks a bit like a young Tyrone Mings (!!!). Obv Tommy was imperious, Matt Clarke also good. Darren McQueen was bright throughout - nice goal (he read the play and was in the right place at the right time, which is a good habit for a striker). Don't think he's ready for 1st team bench yet, but he's surely one to watch (had a good preseason too). Benyu (no 4, CM) also superb. Good night out all round!

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bluemagic74 added 22:53 - Oct 6 From the under 14's right up to the first team I'd say town really are lookingg good and love this to continue be great to see more players coming through like Teddy bishop has, bcan see town doing well this season but learn to be able to see out games and do something about defending set pieces beeter. COYB PLEASE KEEP UP THE FORM
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Michael11 added 23:17 - Oct 6 It's nice to see the U21's looking strong like previous decades. I bumped into Jay Tabb (what an absolutely top bloke by the way) at East Midlands train station after the game yesterday. He was waiting for the same train as me heading North to see his missus. Got speaking about the youngsters coming through and he told me to watch out for the Irish kid Adam McDonnell that we signed in the summer. He said that the potential that he has is frightening and it won't be long before he's brought into the first team.

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Razor added 10:24 - Oct 7 Spot on Stow Tractor Boy, great game in horrendous conditions. I have said Baljner would not make it from seeing him early and have flagged up our lack of strength in depth in the forwards area, this really worries me. Benyu reminded me a little bit of Pirlo, controlling the middle and spraying passes all over the shop,and Patterson looks a real prospect.
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