What just happened in Swansea City's…

What just happened in Swansea City's behind-closed-doors friendly no-one saw against Bristol Rovers

Swansea City followed up their 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle in midweek with two games against Bristol Rovers at Fairwood on Saturday.

The encounters against the Gas were further useful exercises for head coach Russell Martin and his players, who got more miles in the tank in searing conditions on the edge of Gower. Swansea won the first game 2-1 and the second finished 1-1.

Like the ties against Colchester United and Forest Green Rovers, the match - made up of two 60-minute games - was played behind closed doors at the Swans' training base as Martin prepares his team for the start of the Championship season away at Rotherham United at the end of the month. You can read about why so many games have been played without fans present here.

Martin named a strong XI for the first game against the League One opponents, with Nathan Wood, Harry Darling, Matt Grimes and Joel Piroe starting. Youngster Cameron Congreve, fresh from signing a contract extension at the club this week, also began the match.

Piroe gave Swansea an early lead from the penalty spot after just eight minutes, converting the spot-kick he earned after he was felled in the box. Then teenager Congreve crowned an incredible week by doubling the advantage two minutes later, smashing the ball past visiting keeper James Belshaw.

Joey Barton's men halved the deficit with a penalty of their own converted by Aaron Collins on 11 minutes in what was an action-packed start in the blistering heat.

Collins should have made it all square on 23 minutes but fired straight at Andy Fisher in the Swansea goal, with Harvey Saunders also going close for the visitors when well placed. And after the 30-minute turnaround, the away side thought they were on level terms but their goal was chalked off.

Swans struck the bar on 47 minutes, but the scoreline remained intact as the first game came to an end. Martin made two changes for the second hour, with Jamie Paterson replacing goalscorer Congreve and Steven Benda coming on for Fisher in goal.

Rovers' Jordan Rossiter had the ball in the back of the net soon after but the referee ruled out his effort for offside. Martin then looked to his replacements' bench again, introducing Liam Cullen, Olivier Ntcham, Jordon Garrick, Ryan Manning and Lincoln Mcfayden for Piroe, Latibeaudiere, Obafemi, Sorinola and Naughton.

And it was substitute Cullen who put Swansea in front on 18 minutes, finishing well from inside the 18-yard box. More changes were made as the fixture entered the final quarter, with Brandon Cooper, Ollie Cooper, Nathanael Ogbeta and Dan Williams coming on for Wood, Darling, Grimes and Fulton.

Benda was called into action late on, saving well from Ryan Loft, and the equaliser eventually came via the same man after good work from Ryan Jones. In trying conditions it was certainly a valuable afternoon for Martin and his staff.

New signing Joe Allen again sat this one out as he ramps up his return from a hamstring injury; he is targeting some minutes before the season kicks off against The Millers on July 31.

"I'm hoping to be in the squad for that," he said. "That's the first game of the season, as much as it's a long season, you want to be a part of it. We'll do everything we possibly can between now and then to be ready.

"The FAW got a programme together for me to ensure I was getting back to fitness as quick as possible. I’m really grateful to them. That helped me be in a position to sign for Swansea."

Also not involved this afternoon were Lewis Webb, Ryan Bennett, Tivonge Rushesha, Ben Cabango, Liam Walsh, Morgan Whittaker and Kyle Joseph.

Swansea sign off their summer schedule at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, July 23 - a week before their Championship opener against Rotherham at the New York Stadium.

Swans v Bristol Rovers (first 60): Fisher; Latibeaudiere, Wood, Darling, Naughton; Grimes, Fulton; Congreve, Piroe, Sorinola; Obafemi.

Swans v Bristol Rovers (second 60): Benda; Latibeaudiere, Wood, Darling, Naughton; Grimes, Fulton; Paterson, Piroe, Sorinola; Obafemi. Subs used : Cullen, Ntcham, Garrick, Manning, Mcfayden, B. Cooper, O. Cooper, Ogbeta, Williams

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