WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
2023-24 Premier League 2
Manager: Steve Potts
The 2023-24 Premier League 2 is the top tier of the Professional Development League. It is an Under-21 league where clubs are permitted to field five 'over-age' outfield players and one 'over-age' goalkeeper. The league operates under the so-called 'Swiss Model' where the 26 teams will be seeded into five pots based on their historical performance in the competition over the preceding three years, meaning each team will play 20 matches in the regular season (the same number as in PL2 Division Two in 2022-23 but six fewer than in PL2 Division One).
A 21-game week scenario will see teams playing each club in their own pot plus four or five teams in all other pots, either home or away. After this, the combined table will determine play-off positions, with the top 16 teams qualifying for the knockout format.
Reading regained Category One status in the summer of 2023 and return to this level after a one-year hiatus. Manchester City are the defending Division 1 champions.
ARSENAL
Meadow Park
0 - 3
11 August 2023
Knightbridge
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Forbes
Kelly
Orford
Chesters
Earthy (Appiah-Forson)
Scarles
Marshall
West Ham United U21s fell to a 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in their Premier League 2 opener on Friday evening. An even first 45 minutes saw Mark Robson’s side compete with their counterparts, and arguably edge the chances too. Callum Marshall and George Earthy both went close when their efforts were deflected away, before Kaelan Casey’s header was superbly kept out on the stroke of half-time.
In truth, Arsenal begun the quickest of the two sides in the second half though, and saw Casey’s block deny the hosts an opening goal just minutes after the restart. Soon, the Gunners’ pressure told, however. And Jacob Knightbridge, who had previously stood tall with a hatful of stunning saves between the sticks was finally beaten.
Myles Lewis-Kelly and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji struck either side of the hour to put Arsenal two goals ahead. And while Keenan Appiah-Forson almost pulled one back with a delicate chip wide of the post five minutes from time, Arsenal would clinch victory with a third in stoppage time. Amario Cozier-Duberry struck from close range to confirm a London derby defeat in our Premier League 2 opener.
SUNDERLAND
Rush Green
2 - 0 (Luizao, Marshall)
18 August 2023
Knightbridge
Chesters (Robinson)
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Scarles
Coventry
Kelly (Orford)
Marshall (Kodua)
Mubama
Earthy (Appiah-Forson)
An emphatic, dominant, performance saw the Irons quickly out of the traps, determined to put last week’s defeat behind them. A feat they achieved clinically within 17 minutes. A bright start saw two quick goals, with Callum Marshall first turning home a Dan Chesters’ cross from inside the area.
Luizão then tapped in from close range after a well-worked corner fell at the Brazil defender’s feet to double his side’s lead from inside the six-yard box. From then on the chances kept coming the way of those in Claret and Blue – and, in truth, most will leave disappointed the Hammers did not grab a third or even a fourth. In the first half, Divin Mubama had the ball in the net, although he was flagged offside.
The second half was a similar feat too. Hammers flooded forwards in search of a third and had plenty of chances to net one. Earthy blazed over after Chesters' neat run and cross. Conor Coventry and Mubama both saw free kicks sail over the bar. Marshall saw his dipping effort fade wide of the post.
The Hammers No9 continued to search for a goal and would have turned Scarles’ cross into the net but for a stunning stop from Sunderland stopper Matthew Young.
Sunderland would have pulled a way back into the fixture had Keenan Appiah-Forson not found a crucial late tackle, but the Hammers deserved the three points.
Valencia (Spain) : Premier League International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 0 (Kodua)
22 August 2023
Anang
Chesters (Robinson)
Laing (Tarima)
Casey
Luizao
Scarles (Battrum)
Kelly
Orford
Kodua
Marshall
Earthy (Moore)
West Ham United U21s produced a resolute performance in their opening match of the Premier League International Cup, as they beat Valencia CF 1-0 at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
In an incredibly even contest, it looked as though the match was going to be heading to a stalemate, but Gideon Kodua produced a moment of real quality, firing the ball into the bottom corner late on to win the tie.
It took some time for the Hammers to find opportunities against a stubborn Valencia side. The first real chance of note arrived on 36 minutes as compatriots Patrick Kelly and Callum Marshall combined, with the former seeing an effort blocked in the area. Up the other end, Brazilian defender Luizão was in inspired form, as he stopped the away side from advancing on several occasions.
Pushing for consecutive wins, Kodua, Marshall and George Earthy combined well as the game entered the second 45 minutes, but again, the Irons couldn’t find the final pass that would unlock the opportunity for a clear strike on goal. Earthy nearly broke the deadlock on 70 minutes, but his shot nestled wide of the post.
In the end, the pressure from the home side was rewarded. A run from Kelly opened the space up for Kodua to hit a sweet-struck effort that nestled in the bottom corner, winning the tie for his team.
LEEDS UNITED
Elland Road
5 - 2 (Marshall 3, Casey, Scarles)
25 August 2023
Knightbridge
Chesters (Robinson)
Laing (Tarima)
Casey
Luizao
Scarles
Kelly (Battrum)
Orford
Earthy
Marshall (Moore)
Kodua
A third win on the bounce came the way of West Ham United U21s who ran riot at Elland Road.
Steve Potts’ men quickly had Leeds United in their sights in their third PL2 outing of the campaign. Kaelan Casey struck the first poking home Ollie Scarles’ corner before a front three of Gideon Kodua, Callum Marshall, and George Earthy showed their class in Yorkshire. Threatening throughout, Marshall struck his first of a sensational hat-trick on the stroke of half-time to restore the lead after Connor Douglas equalised for Leeds.
The Northern Ireland international added his second shortly after the break turning home a Kodua’s assist to put the Hammers two-goals ahead.
Scarles then found the net himself, powering home from inside the area with a fierce swish of his left foot before Marshall completed his hat-trick, with West Ham’s fifth four minutes from time. His late goal meant that a Leeds second from Cian Coleman in added time was rendered meaningless and the points returned to east London.
The Hammers rise to sixth in the Premier League 2 table, with six points from their first two games.
EVERTON
Chigwell Construction Stadium
3 - 1 (Kodua, Marshall, Orford)
1 September 2023
Knightbridge
Chesters
Laing (Tarima)
Casey
Luizao
Scarles
Kelly (Appiah-Forson)
Orford
Kodua
Marshall (Moore)
Earthy (Robinson)
West Ham United U21s came from behind to beat Everton at Rush Green Stadium. After an early strike from Everton’s Katia Kouyate, who found the bottom corner from close range, the Irons responded impeccably after the break to secure the victory.
Shaking off a sluggish first half, the U21s pulled level through a curling strike from Lewis Orford, who left goalkeeper Billy Crellin stranded as he found the bottom corner. Ollie Scarles continued to threaten down the left to see Callum Marshall fouled inside the area, with Toffees’ skipper Ryan Astley receiving his second booking of the night – and sent off – for a clumsy challenge.
Marshall then struck his fifth goal in his last three Premier League games from the spot to give his side a deserved advantage. And chances continued to fall to those in east London, before Gideon Kodua headed home a game-settling third from close range.
At times it wasn’t pretty from the U21s, but finding a way to win is a pleasing trait, and one they have shown in abundance over the past fews weeks. Plenty of momentum then, as the young Irons head into the September international break, sitting fifth in the Premier League 2 table, as it stands.
CELTIC 'B' : Premier League International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
5 - 0 (Marshall 2, Mubama 2, Orford)
15 September 2023
Anang
Chesters (Robinson)
JohnsonCasey (Forbes)
Laing
Scarles (Moore)
Coventry
Kelly (Orford)
Earthy
Marshall (Kodua)
Mubama
West Ham United U21s put on a comprehensive attacking display to comfortably beat Celtic B 5-0 in the Premier League International Cup. Divin Mubama’s opener on ten minutes, turned in from six yards after Ollie Scarles’ wicked cross, came following a frantic opening period in which both sides registered big chances without netting.
West Ham’s lead was doubled just 12 minutes later as Callum Marshall scored his first of the evening, latching onto Levi Laing’s lobbed pass to slot home at the second attempt.
Marshall scored his second and West Ham’s third on 28 minutes with a smart finish, ensuring a dominant advantage for the Hammers at the interval. It would only take the Irons three minutes in the second half to get a fourth, as Mubama maturely read a deflected shot and tucked in his personal second.
A host of substitutions followed for both sides and one of the introduced Irons, Lewis Orford, would net a beautiful fifth for the hosts just a few minutes after his introduction. The midfielder arrowed a well-taken strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, putting Steve Potts’ side in full control before an hour had been played.
Celtic’s best chance of the fixture came in the opening few minutes, when Magnus Mackenzie tried his luck from distance, but otherwise the Scottish side did little to test goalkeeper Joseph Anang or indeed trouble the Hammers defence.
Junior Robinson will feel he should have added sixth for West Ham on 77 minutes, but his headed effort from just a couple of yards out somehow went over the bar.
BRISTOL ROVERS : Bristol Street Motors (Group A)
Memorial Stadium
3 - 1 (Marshall 2 [1 pen], Earthy)
19 September 2023
Anang
Chesters (Robinson)
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Scarles
Orford
Kelly
Earthy (Moore)
Marshall
Kodua (Clayton)
West Ham United U21s produced a stunning comeback to beat EFL League One outfit Bristol Rovers 3-1 in the EFL Trophy.
With the rain pouring in Bristol, the hosts took the lead at Memorial Stadium, but it was all West Ham after Sam Finley found the bottom corner from inside the area with 24 minutes played. The development side had chances to equalise through Patrick Kelly, Callum Marshall, and Gideon Kodua in the first half, but it was after the break that this talented group showed their class to stroll to a second win in five days. The comeback was set in motion when Dan Chesters’ swashbuckling run won a penalty with 70 minutes played. George Earthy then shaped to take the penalty, before handing the ball to Marshall, who found the bottom corner from 12 yards. And a second quickly followed when Kodua found Earthy, who completed a quick counter-attack with a deft finish from inside the area. But the Hammers weren’t done there and had chances to net a third too, despite Joe Anang preserving the lead with a string of superb stops. By the time the game rolled into stoppage time, Marshall found the net from close range, poking the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to secure a win that takes the U21s top of Group H in the EFL Trophy Southern Section.
Knightbridge
Chesters
Laing (Luizao)
Casey
Johnson
Scarles (Moore)
Coventry
Kelly (Orford)
Marshall
Mubama (Kodu)
Earthy
SOUTHAMPTON
Rush Green
3 - 3 (Marshall 2, Earthy)
22 September 2023
In a hard-fought Premier League 2 fixture at Rush Green training ground, the Saints took the lead when skipper Kamrai Doyle curled a delicious free-kick over the wall and into the near corner with 19 minutes played.
West Ham United’s fifth PL2 outing of the season saw chances for both sides, with Jacob Knightbridge making a string of exceptional saves, before the Irons pulled level through George Earthy. The No10 finished Callum Marshall’s inch-perfect cross from close range to restore parity midway through the first half.
Marshall was then on the scoresheet himself when he headed home a teasing cross from Dan Chesters, who again showed his quality in attack when bursting forward from right wing-back.
The game was in the Hammers’ favour at the break then, although the Saints struck twice in the second half to swing momentum back the way of the visitors, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw’s effort proved to be too powerful for Knightbridge, who could only tip the Southampton No7’s shot onto bar before it crept over the line. Princewell Ehibhatiomhan then finished a stunning counter-attack to put the visitors ahead.
Marshall though had other ideas. His eleventh goal in his last eight games stole a point after a delicious pass from Coventry sent the forward through on goal in stoppage-time.
MANCHESTER CITY
Joie Stadium
2 - 2 (Kodua, Marshall)
30 September 2023
Knightbridge
Chesters
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Scarles (Clayton)
Kelly
Orford
Kodua (Moore)
Marshall
Earthy
A resolute showing from West Ham United U21s at Manchester City saw goals from Callum Marshall and Gideon Kodua secure a point.
The Hammers move seventh in the Premier League 2 table, four points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur, with an impressive performance in the defending champions' backyard. A battle followed in the North West as the hosts started well. Indeed, West Ham needed Marshall to cancel out Kane Taylor’s early opener with his 12th goal of the season inside ten minutes.
In the Hammers’ ninth competitive outing of the campaign, City would lead at the break as Josh Adam curled the hosts’ second past Jacob Knightbridge, although West Ham responded well in the second.
George Earthy and Lewis Orford both went close until the U21s’ second of an impressive performance in the North West salvaged a point. Earthy won the ball brilliantly and allowed Orford to find Callum Marshall. The Northern Irish forward then left Kodua with a tap-in at the back post.
Late chances for Orford and Marshall meant the Hammers could have seen more than a point from their travels, although a draw was perhaps a fair result. Knightbridge, Laing, Luizão, and Kaelan Casey all played their part to stop City from finding a third late on.
MIDDLESBOUGH
Rush Green
5 - 0 (Marshall 3, Earthy, Orford)
Date
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing (Luizao)
Casey
Forbes
Coventry
Kelly (Orford)
Kodua (Scarles)
Marshall
Earthy (Chesters)
Clayton
Twenty goals in PL2 already in 2023/24 as five more arrived at Rush Green Stadium on Friday night in another sensational attacking display.
Callum Marshall poked home the first of the night in a 5-0 win over Middlesbrough, before the in-form forward struck twice in the second half to secure another PL2 hat-trick. He had three against Leeds United last month and Boro were next in his sights.
George Earthy was also on the scoresheet and found the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time, while Lewis Orford, introduced as a second-half substitute, found the net just three minutes after his introduction.
A sixth goal could have arrived had Marshall not seen his penalty saved in second-half stoppage time, although the forward had already netted his 13th, 14th, and 15th of a stunning campaign, before he stepped up from 12 yards.
With victory, the Hammers rise to third in the PL2 table leapfrogging Middlesbrough.
NEWPORT COUNTY : Bristol Street Motors (Group A)
Rodney Parade
1 - 0 (Kodua)
31 October 2023
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing
Casey (Forbes)
Luizao
Scarles
Kelly
Orford
Earthy
Kodua (Battrum)
Chesters (Clayton)
West Ham United U21s booked their place in the EFL Trophy last 32 with a group game to spare after a 1-0 win at Newport County.
An even game unfolded at Rodney Parade, although a moment of real quality decided the fixture with just over an hour played.
Lewis Orford found Gideon Kodua, who skipped past his man with ease on 63 minutes.
His right-footed drive from 25 yards out nestled in the top corner to take the Irons into the EFL Trophy knockouts for the first time since 2020/21.
Kodua’s strike takes the Hammers through following a previous 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers, and therefore six points from their first two games.
The Hammers could have had more goals in Newport too. George Earthy and Kodua went close in the first half, while Lewis Orford missed a chance to double the lead late on.
Newport’s best chance arrived after three minutes when Nathan Wood hit the post from close range.
To Steve Potts' men's credit, they limited the opponents to little after that moment and deservedly took the points back to East London.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool's Academy Ground
4 - 0 (Marshall 2, Earthy, Kodua)
4 November 2023
Knightbridge
Robinson (Chesters)
Casey (Laing)
Forbes
Luizao (Moore)
Clayton
Orford
Kelly
Kodua (Scarles)
Marshall
Earthy
Their third straight victory - and clean sheet too - saw the Irons leave Merseyside with all three points, as a stunning attacking performance unfolded against the Reds.
A clinical counter gave West Ham the opening goal when Callum Marshall finished a well-worked move after 13 minutes.
Marshall would add his second of the afternoon on the hour, taking his season tally to 17 goals in all competitions, after Junior Robinson’s knockdown from Regan Clayton’s cross left the No9 with a tap-in.
Patrick Kelly then dinked the on-rushing Liverpool goalkeeper to leave Gideon Kodua with an empty goal to add the Irons’ third just three minutes later.
And buoyed on by a couple of impressive saves from goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge, Earthy then made in four, with a neat swivel and turn 17 minutes from time, after a mistake from the Liverpool keeper.
Earthy’s goal took the Irons to nine goals in their last two PL2 games and saw an unbeaten run extend to eleven games.
CHELTENHAM TOWN :
Bristol Street Motors (Group A)
The Completely-Suzuki Stadium
1 - 0 (Marshall)
7 November 2023
Anang
Chesters
Johnson
Casey (Luizao)
Forbes (Laing)
Scarles
Orford (Moore)
Kelly (Clayton)
Earthy (Kodua)
Mubama
Marshall
Another win for West Ham United U21s arrived at Cheltenham Town as our impressive start to the 2023/24 season continued. The U21s made it three wins from three matches in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as a 4-0 victory played out on Tuesday evening.
Ollie Scarles opened the scoring with 23 minutes played, before Divin Mubama struck just a minute later. The Hammers extended their two-goal lead with a third in just ten first-half minutes, as George Earthy’s deflected shot put the game beyond the well-beaten hosts.
Chances came for more goals in the second half as Callum Marshall, Mubama and Dan Chesters both went close to adding a fourth. That goal would arrive, though. Marshall added his 18th goal of the season ten minutes from time as he finished a sweeping attacking move.
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS : PL International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 1 (Earthy)
28 November 2023
Anang
Chesters (Robinson)
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Scarles
Orford
Kelly (Moore)
Earthy
Kodua
Marshall
The Hammers and Lyon sat in first and second spot, respectively, in Group B heading into this fixture, and it was the French youngsters who enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges in east London.
West Ham United U21s left it very late to claim a deserved share of the spoils in their 1-1 Premier League International Cup draw with Olympique Lyonnais U21s.
The French side thought they had secured all three points in east London thanks to Romain Perret’s penalty, which the striker confidently dispatched on 88 minutes.
Going behind so late seemed harsh on Steve Potts’ Irons, who had more than played their part in a well-contested contest at Chigwell Construction Stadium, but the hosts would get their reward in the final minute of added time.
Kaelan Casey’s header fell kindly into the path of midfielder George Earthy, who sweetly struck on the half-volley to level the game in the closing exchanges.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Rush Green
3 - 1 (Marshall 2, Kelly)
1 December 2023
Knightbridge
Chesters
Laing
Casey (Tarima)
Luizao
Scarles (Clayton)
Kelly
Orford
Earthy (Fawunmi)
Marshall
Kodua (Moore)
A bitterly cold night at Rush Green Stadium saw the U21s entertain as a thoroughly impressive attacking showing brought a sixth league victory of the season.
Patrick Kelly showed great tenacity to net the opening goal on 29 minutes.
The Northern Irish midfielder won the ball high up the field, before expertly taking the ball around Forest goalkeeper Will Brook to net the Iron’s first.
A second goal arrived just two minutes later when Callum Marshall saw his block deflect over Brook and into the net.
Seeking a response after the break, Forest hit the post through Jack Perkins, before the No7 was then denied by an inspired stop from Jacob Knightbridge, who miraculously kept the Hammers’ two-goal lead intact.
Marshall would then add his second of the match – and West Ham’s third - as his dipping strike from the edge of the area found the bottom corner.
COLCHESTER UNITED : Bristol Street Motors (2nd Round)
JobServe Community Stadium
4 - 0 (Chesters, Earthy, Mubama, Orford)
5 December 2023
Anang
Chesters (Laing)
Johnson
Casey
Luizao
Scarles (Clayton)
Coventry
Kelly (Orford)
Earthy (Moore)
Mubama
Marshall (Kodua)
West Ham United U21s reached the last 16 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for the first time in the Club’s history.
A stunning 4-0 win over Colchester United saw the young Hammers record their fourth win of the competition and also stretch an unbeaten run to 15 games.
Battling down the right throughout, Dan Chesters opened the scoring on eight minutes when he headed home a delicious cross from the impressive Callum Marshall.
After the break, the Hammers found their groove and an attacking trio of Divin Mubama, George Earthy, and Marshall showed their class again. With the experience of Ben Johnson and Conor Coventry too, the U21s went on to control the game with ease.
Chesters found Earthy, whose thumping finish made it two-nil, before Lewis Orford sent West Ham’s third into the top corner from distance.
Mubama then rounded off a superb victory when he found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
CRYSTAL PALACE
VBS Community Stadium
5 - 1 (Casey, Coventry, Earthy, Kodua, Marshall)
18 December 2023
Knightbridge
Moore (Robinson)
Casey
Forbes
Luizao (Laing)
Scarles (Clayton)
Coventry
Kelly (Orford)
Kodua
Marshall
Earthy
Five second-half goals saw West Ham United U21s come from behind to beat Crystal Palace U21s 5-1 on Monday evening.
The Hammers trailed after Jack Wells-Morrison converted a penalty on 22 minutes but responded after the break for their seventh PL2 win of the season.
Kaelan Casey headed home a sweet inswinging corner to start the comeback, before Callum Marshall put the Hammers ahead from the penalty spot with his 16th PL2 goal of the season.
George Earthy found the bottom corner to make it 3-1 and completed the Hammers’ third goal in just seven second-half minutes.
Wells-Morrison was then sent off for dissent after the hour to allow Steve Potts’ men complete control of the fixture.
The victory was made even sweeter when Conor Coventry struck a stunning fourth from distance with a drilled first-time effort. Marshall then created West Ham’s fifth late on as a stunning break left Gideon Kodua with a tap-in.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS : Bristol Street Motors (Round of 16)
Adams Park
1 - 2 (Kodua)
9 January 2024
Anang
Chesters (Robinson)
Casey
Forbes (Laing)
Luizao
Scarles (Moore)
Kelly (Ajala)
Orford
Earthy
Marshall
Kodua
West Ham United U21s exited the Bristol Street Motors trophy at the last 16 stage following a 2-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers.
A performance full of heart, skill, and fight narrowly came up short as the Hammers’ 16-game run ended at Adams Park Stadium.
To the U21s’ credit, they pushed their EFL League One opposition right to the end and almost forced penalties late on.
Gideon Kodua’s second-half strike breathed life into a tie that looked to have gone away from the U21s after a Lewis Orford own-goal and Richard Kone strike in the first half.
A dramatic late equaliser almost arrived when Callum Marshall and Gideon Kodua both went close in additional time.
But Wycombe held on to progress to the last eight at the young Irons' expense.
The Hammers, though, will take confidence and pride from their performance on Tuesday evening, as well as their previous four wins over EFL opponents in the competition.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Keys Park
4 - 2 (Earthy, Forbes, Rigge, Simon-Swyer)
15 January 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson (Tarima)
Laing
Forbes
Luizao
Clayton
Orford (Rigge)
Kelly
Earthy
Simon-Swyer (Ajala)
Moore (Briggs)
It took just three minutes for West Ham United U21s to launch their return to winning ways, as Simon-Swyer set Monday's 4-2 win over West Bromwich Albion in motion with an instinctive strike.
George Earthy added the second midway through the first half, before Michael Forbes’ flicked Luizao’s volley home to put the Hammers on their way to a fifth league win on the bounce.
West Ham were made to work to keep hold of second place in Premier League 2, however, after Oliver Bostock struck on 75 minutes and Akeel Higgins converted a minute later.
But the Hammers saw out their fifth win in six matches, aided by Dan Rigge’s late effort, and have now lost just one league game in eleven this campaign.
STOKE CITY
Rush Green
3 - 1 (Earthy, Moore, Simon-Swyer)
26 January 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson
Casey
Forbes
Luizao
Scarles
Kelly
Orford
Moore (Clayton)
Simon-Swyer
Earthy
Having stretched a league-unbeaten run to eleven games thanks to a hard-fought victory, the U21s now sit second in the league table, having taken 29 points from their first 12 fixtures.
Although the game was far more even than a frantic opening at Rush Green Stadium suggested. Indeed, the U21s were indebted to a string of saves from Jacob Knightbridge, although Swyer went close, before Moore opened the scoring on 38 minutes.
The young goalkeeper was back in the action to deny Stoke’s Emre Tezgel after the break as his neat stop, diving low to his right, kept his side ahead. Skipper Michael Forbes later stood tall to deflect a Stoke header onto the crossbar, before Swyer saw Robinson’s cross deflect off his boot, up and over the visiting keeper, and into the net to double the Irons’ lead on minute 55.
A composed finish from Griffiths on 64 minutes breathed life into the fixture and left Steve Potts' side searching for more goals to confirm the win.
With Knightbridge busied at the other end by a battling Stoke attack, the Hammers needed Earthy’s stoppage-time strike to secure another three-point haul for the U21s.
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB : PL International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
3 - 0 (Luizao, Moore, Robinson)
31 January 2024
Anang
Robinson
Casey (Tarima)
Forbes
Luizo (Mayers)
Scarles (Clayton)
Kelly
Orford (Ajala)
Moore
Mubama (Simon-Swyer)
Earthy
West Ham United U21s booked their place in the Premier League International Cup knockouts with a comfortable 3-0 win over GNK Dinamo Zagreb.
The Hammers’ development side proved too strong for the Croatian outfit, recording a third straight win in all competitions to progress to the quarter-finals. Luizao headed home a wicked corner from Ollie Scarles after just five minutes to set the Irons' win in motion. A busy first half, though, should have seen West Ham score more.
Divin Mubama had an effort ruled out for offside, while Lewis Orford forced a good save from Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Dorian Klarin. Sean Moore led the charge for the hosts' second and managed to squeeze the ball to Scarles, who struck wide, although the Hammers were rewarded for their dominance after the break.
Half-time substitute Kamarai Swyer played his part in the next two West Ham goals, with the Irons finding a clinical edge they lacked in the first 45. Swyer set up Junior Robinson and Moore, who stretched West Ham’s advantage to three with the Hammers striking twice in the first 15 minutes of the second period. Moore has now found the net in successive matches.
CHELSEA
Rush Green
0 - 2
9 February 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson
Clayton
Orford
Casey
Luizao
Moore
Kelly
Mubama (Simon-Swyer)
Earthy
Scarles
West Ham United U21s suffered just their second Premier League 2 defeat of the season against Chelsea U21s at Rush Green Stadium on Friday evening.
There was little to separate the sides in a hard-fought first half, with both goalkeepers called into action.
But the Irons, who were not without chances of their own, were condemned to a rare defeat as goals from Ronnie Stutter and Leo Castledine in the second half handed the visitors victory.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham Hotspur Academy Spurs Lodge
1 - 1 (Moore)
17 February 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Scarles
Kelly
Orford
Earthy
Simon-Swyer
Moore (Clayton)
A sweet strike from Sean Moore’s left boot saw West Ham United U21s end Tottenham Hotspur U21s’ perfect start to Premier League 2 following a 1-1 draw.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international found the net on the hour, as his third goal in his last four leagues matches opened the scoring at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground.
The hosts were good value for their equaliser which came through Yago Santiago ten minutes later, and a point apiece was a fair end to an enthralling battle between the PL2 top two.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : PL International Cup
Rush Green
2 - 1 aet (Orford, Scarles)
23 February 2024
Anang
Robinson
Laing
Casey (Tarima)
Luizao
Scarles (Battrum)
Kelly
Orford
Moore (Simon-Swyer)
Mubama (Clayton)
Earthy
West Ham United U21s booked their place in the Premier League International Cup semi-finals following a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Steve Potts’ side needed extra time to force a winner, with Lewis Orford’s late header coming after an enthralling 90 minutes, and a real battle with the visiting Seagulls, finished 1-1.
Indeed, the Hammers looked on the verge of an exit after Brighton’s Cameron Peupion struck a first-half goal to leave the U21s with plenty of work to do by the interval.
The Brighton No7 was sent free and finished into the bottom left corner past Joseph Anang on 16 minutes, although the U21s showed great character to fight back in the second half.
Ollie Scarles’ free-kick – curled into the bottom corner with a neat swish of his left foot – brought extra time, with both sides threatening to net a winner in an exciting extra 30 minutes in east London.
Alongside chances for the visitors, Orford, Scarles, and Kamarai Swyer all went close in extra time before the final big moment of the fixture fell to those in Claret and Blue. Brilliant throughout alongside midfielder partner Patrick Kelly, the No4 headed home the winner to avoid spot-kicks, meeting Junior Robinson’s cross with a perfectly timed run eight minutes from the end of extra time.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Blackburn Rovers Training Centre
3 - 1 (Earthy, Luizao, Orford)
2 March 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Scarles (Clayton)
Kelly
Orford
Moore (Battrum)
Simon-Swyer (Rigge)
Earthy
West Ham United U21s came from behind to defeat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 and stay second in Premier League 2.
Unbeaten in five previous league games, Blackburn was another test that the Hammers had to show character to sweep aside. They delivered once again, though, despite an early setback.
First-half goals from Luizao and Lewis Orford overturned Dominik Biniek’s opener by the interval, as the Hammers battled to consecutive wins with another strong showing.
A stoppage-time free-kick from George Earthy secured the U21s’ tenth league win of the season, despite late Blackburn pressure.
The Hammers moved to within one point of leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
FULHAM
Rush Green
0 - 3
8 March 2014
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing
Casey
Luizao
Clayton
Orford
Battrum (Moore)
Simon-Swyer
Mubama
Earthy
West Ham United U21s fell to only their third Premier League 2 defeat of the season as Fulham stole the points in a London derby.
The visiting West Londoners found the net twice in a pulsating first 12 minutes – a run of play that took the wind out of the Hammers’ sails.
Having scored a hat-trick in his last outing for Fulham, Adrion Pajaziti struck the opener with five minutes played, before Matthew Dibley-Dias added a second quickly after to see the visitors lead at the break.
West Ham pushed in response, though, with midfielders Ryan Battrum, making his first U21s start of the season, and Lewis Orford leading the charge for a West Ham goal.
Their creativity in the middle, alongside some wicked crosses from Junior Robinson down the right, saw chances fall to Divin Mubama and Kamarai Swyer, who could not convert from close range.
As the Hammers added more shirts to their attacking line, with Sean Moore replacing Battrum for the final ten minutes, Fulham sprung to life on the counter.
Hayden Mullins’ men won a corner and Samuel Amissah headed home to confirm the victory, as the U21s failed to score for only the third time this season, despite further chances in stoppage time.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
American Express Elite Performance Centre
4 - 1 (Mubama 2, Earthy, Robinson)
15 March 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing (Tarima)
Casey
Luizao
Clayton
Kelly (Battrum)
Orford
Simon-Swyer (Moore)
Mubama
Earthy
West Ham United U21s went top of the Premier League 2 table following a superb 4-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Steve Potts’ side put in a stellar performance on the south coast to see off Brighton.
After an even start, Divin Mubama put the young Hammers ahead after 34 minutes as he capped off a neat move down the left. Regan Clayton did the hard work, reaching the by-line to pull the ball back for the striker to fire past goalkeeper Steven Hall from close range. George Earthy then doubled the Irons’ lead shortly into the second half, before Mubama tapped home his second on the goal line after being set up by Clayton to make it 3-0. Brighton’s Mark O’Mahony later reduced the deficit for the hosts with a smart finish, though any hopes of an unlikely comeback were diminished when West Ham were awarded a penalty - and defender Noel Atom was sent off - after a reckless challenge on second-half substitute Sean Moore. Junior Robinson then turned home West Ham’s fourth after Earthy’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Hall, with Divin Mubama’s stoppage-time red card the final action of the Hammers’ eleventh league win of the season.
DERBY COUNTY
Rush Green
3 - 2 (Moore, Robinson, Simon-Swyer)
5 April 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson
Laing (Tarima)
Casey
Luizao
Clayton
Kelly (Battrum)
Orford
Simon-Swyer (Moore)
Mubama
Earthy
West Ham United U21s moved back to the top of Premier League 2 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Derby County U21s. The young Hammers were made to work for three points by a stubborn performance from the visitors at Rush Green Stadium, although their hard work paid off.
After Junior Robinson found the opening goal – scoring for a successive Premier League 2 match – with a neat finish on seven minutes, Derby levelled the fixture with 14 minutes played. Lennon Wheeldon found the net to leave the game level at the break, although West Ham proved too strong in the second 45 minutes after Regan Clayton was denied by Derby goalkeeper Jack Thompson twice before the interval. The Hammers came out roaring in the second half, pressing home the man advantage after visiting skipper Darren Robinson was sent off for a second booking on 63 minutes, to move two goals in front. Kamarai Swyer made in 2-1 just two minutes later when he capped a superb move from the flying Hammers, before Sean Moore, with the aid of a slight deflection, doubled the advantage 12 minutes from time. Despite a late Derby goal in the 13th minute of stoppage time, West Ham saw out the win to move top of Premier League 2
PSV EINDHOVEN : PL International Cup (Semi-Final)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
2 - 3 (Orford, Simon-Swyer)
9 April 2024
Terry
Moore
Tarima
Casey
Mayers
Clayton
Kelly
Orford
Simon-Swyer (Marshall)
Mubama
Earthy
West Ham United U21s exited the Premier League International Cup at the semi-final stage following a narrow 3-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven. After early chances for George Earthy, Kamarai Swyer scored the opener with a neat finish from the edge of the area.
Lewis Orford then added West Ham’s second with a superb strike from around 25 yards out ahead of the half-hour mark.
After Mason Terry then kept the lead with a crucial penalty save against Mohamed Nassoh, PSV came out roaring in the second half to secure the win with three goals of their own.
The U21s had beaten Celtic, Valencia and GNK Dinamo Zagreb - and took a point against Olympique Lyonnais - to reach the knockout stages of the PL International Cup with ten points from their four group-stage games, before a last-eight win over Brighton & Hove Albion set up a semi-final with the holders.
But this is where the Irons’ journey ended, as PSV skipper Nassoh cut the U21s’ lead in half with a delicate finish on 47 minutes, before a late equaliser from Jesper Uneken, and a stoppage-time winner from Tai Abed secured the win for the visitors.
NORWICH CITY
Carrow Road
2 - 0 (Earthy, Orford)
12 April 2024
Knightbridge
Robinson (Adiele)
Golambeckis
Casey (Tarima)
Mayers
Moore
Kelly
Orford
Earthy (Rigge)
Marshall
Simon-Swyer (Ajala)
West Ham United U21s brushed aside Norwich City with a 2-0 win to go top of Premier League 2. The Hammers scored two first-half goals with Lewis Orford and George Earthy both on the scoresheet inside 30 minutes.
Sat level on points with leaders Tottenham Hotspur at kick-off, the Hammers made the perfect start to boosting their seeding for the knockout stages.
Orford found the net on ten minutes after Earthy put a well-struck finish on a plate with a beautiful bit of skill and then a neat reverse pass. The provider then turned scorer with half-an-hour played when he found the top corner from 25 yards out.
The search for another goal in the second half saw Orford send a free-kick narrowly over, Callum Marshall hit the post, and Adiele strike wide, although two first-half goals proved enough for the U21s' 13th victory of the league season.
Having already secured their place in the Premier League 2 knockouts, the U21s have one final regular season fixture remaining – at home to Leicester City on Friday 26 April – before the knockout mini-tournament to decide the development league champions begins in May.
LEICESTER CITY
Rush Green
1 - 3 (Simon-Swyer)
26 April 2024
Knightbridge
Moore (Appiah-Forson)
Tarima
Forbes (Briggs)
Mayers
Adiele
Kelly
Orford
Rigge (Ajala)
Marshall
Simon-Swyer (Sowunmi)
West Ham United U21s secured second place in Premier League 2 and a high seeding for the knockout stages, despite falling to their fourth league defeat of the season at home to Leicester City.
Kamarai Swyer gave the young Hammers hope of an inspired comeback, but overturning three Leicester City goals in the first half proved too tall a task for the U21s.
Chris Popov, Sammy Braybrooke, and Will Alves were all on the scoresheet in the first 33 minutes as the Foxes ran riot in east London.
West Ham had chances in the first half, with Lewis Orford and Callum Marshall going close, although recording a fourth PL2 win on the bounce was always unlikely after a disappointing first half an hour.
Chances followed to cut Leicester’s lead as Emeka Adiele forced a good save from Brad Young, Patrick Kelly headed wide from close range, and Josh Ajala saw his goal-bound effort bundled off the line by the visiting goalkeeper.
Defeat will disappoint the young Irons, who have set such high standards this season, and they will be keen to bounce back in the knockouts, which take place throughout May.
BLACKBURN ROVERS : PL2 Play-offs (Round of 16)
Rush Green
4 - 1 (Marshall 2, Earthy, Moore)
3 May 2024
Knightbridge
Appiah-Forson
Casey (Golambeckis)
Forbes
Mayers
Moore (Adiele)
Kelly
Orford
Kodua (Simon-Swyer)
Marshall
Earthy (Ajala)
The U21s secured their place in the PL 2 Play-Offs quarter-finals following a comprehensive 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. Sean Moore’s first-half effort got the Hammers on their way, before a Callum Marshall brace either side of a super strike from Earthy and a consolation from Blackburn, clinched a comfortable victory at Rush Green Stadium.
Chances came and went aplenty as the Hammers' worked the visiting goalkeeper Felix Goddard, who stood tall for all but the final two minutes of the first 45. Indeed, Moore’s goal on minute 43 was the least the Hammers deserved for their dominance in the first half. The second half sawr Keenan Appiah-Forson, Gideon Kodua, and Marshall force decent stops from Goddard, and Earthy smashed a powerful strike against the crossbar, West Ham found their shooting boots in some style.
Marshall poked home from close range on 77 minutes, before Earthy finished a flowing West Ham move to make it 3-0 ten minutes from time. Blackburn then found a response through Jake Batty one minute later, although Marshall secured the points with a stunning strike from 20 yards out in the final minute of the 90.
SUNDERLAND : PL2 Play-offs (Quarter-Final)
Eppleton Colliery FC
3 - 3 (Kelly, Kodua, Marshall) [lost 3-5 pens]
13 May 2024
Knightbridge
Appiah-Forson
Casey (Tarima)
Forbes
Mayers
Moore (Adiele)
Orford
Kelly
Kodua (Simon-Swyer)
Marshall
Earthy
West Ham United U21s exited the Premier League 2 playoffs following a penalty shootout defeat in an enthralling quarter-final at Sunderland. A six-goal thriller unfolded throughout a superb 120 minutes, which finished 3-3, before Sunderland took the win by a 5-3 scoreline on spot-kicks.
It seemed a world away from Sunderland celebrating their win that Gideon Kodua found the opener on 40 minutes when he tapped home after Kaelan Casey headed a well-worked corner from Lewis Orford into his path. The Hammers battled well across the next period but saw victory snatched from their grasp in normal time by a strike from Sunderland skipper Ellis Taylor in minute 80 and had to go again in extra time. However, Patrick Kelly finished a well-worked move with a neat strike from the edge of the area, to give the U21s the lead heading into the second half of extra time.
But it was in the final 15 that the game ebbed and flowed to a thrilling conclusion following a second Sunderland goal from Caden Kelly that made the game 2-2 with nine minutes to play. After Orford then missed his spot-kick, Callum Marshall thought he had found the winner when he expertly finished from inside the area three minutes from the end of the 120.
But Sunderland were not done just yet and their third, one that was somehow bundled over the line by Tom Watson in the 119th minute, despite a hatful of Hammers making superb blocks, set up the penalty shootout which the hosts ultimately edged on home soil.