More goals at the Liberty as Swans cruise into third round
had efforts on goal soon after as Swansea dominated the opening stages, although the visitors nearly struck an unlikely equaliser when Louis John headed wide George Maris’s free-kick.
Routledge and Carroll then went close for the Swans.
But it didn’t take long for Cooper’s troops to double their advantage as John’s pass into the box deflected into the path of Byers, who fired home his third goal of the campaign.
And the home side were three goals to the good four minutes later when Peterson crossed for Surridge, who prodded beyond Callum Burton for his second goal since joining on loan from Bournemouth.
Shots continued to rain down on the visitors’ goal, with Carroll curling wide.
However, the U’s almost pulled a goal back in stunning fashion when Harvey Knibbs played Jack Roles through on goal, although his rasping effort cannoned back off the bar.
And the League Two side were punished in devastating fashion as Burton could only parry Routledge’s shot into the path of Garrick, who drilled the loose ball into the net for his first senior goal for the club.
The gulf between the sides was alarmingly evident from Cambridge’s point of view, understandably so given that they had made seven changes to their starting XI from the weekend.
The travelling supporters did almost have something to cheer, though, when Knibbs raced through on goal, only to be denied by the onrushing Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
But normal service was resumed in the first minute of first-half injury time when Surridge drilled a low shot beyond Burton after a slick onetwo with Byers to make it 5-0.
The traffic remained one-way after the restart, with Byers and Surridge both attempting to increase their tallies. And the latter was inches away from netting his second of the night when his drilled effort rebounded off the upright.
Garrick was withdrawn to a standing ovation after 62 minutes, with McKay coming on in his place while 17-year-old Tivonge Rushesha replaced Naughton soon after to make his senior bow.
And there was a special moment for local lad Jack Evans, who was also handed his first-team debut by Cooper just six months after it was confirmed that he was in remission after being diagnosed with cancer last summer.
McKay curled an effort well over the bar soon after, but it was 6-0 in the 76th minute when Routledge’s shot somehow bobbled beyond Burton and into the back of the net.
McKay, Surridge, Byers and Peterson all had efforts in the final stages, but the damage had long been done as Swansea progressed into round three in brilliant style.
Swansea City: Nordfeldt, Naughton (capt, Rushesha 67), Cabango, Wilmot, John, Byers, Carroll (Evans 74), Garrick (McKay 62), Routledge, Peterson, Surridge. Subs not used: Mulder, Cooper, Dhanda, Cullen.
Attendance: 8,763.
Referee: Michael Salisbury.