WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
2025-26 Premier League 2
Manager: Kenny Brown : Coach Greg Lincoln
To minimise the impact of relegation on future groups of U21 players, the Premier League introduced a new format to its development phase competition in 2023/24.
Replacing the two-division system, the 26 Category One academies now compete in a single tier with 20 regular season fixtures before the top 16 seeded teams advance to single-elimination play-offs.
Regular season fixtures are determined by a draw made according to clubs’ performances over the last three seasons. Each team plays 20 different opponents before the play-offs in May, where they will be drawn against each other based on league positions, with the higher-seeded team playing at home. The top 12 are also rewarded with a place in the following season’s Premier League International Cup competition.
WOKING : National League Cup (Group C)
Laithwaite Community Stadium
2 - 0 (Orford 90', Kante 90'+7')
13 August 2025
Herrick
Golambeckis
Luizao
Mayers
Robinson
Orford
Fearon (Akpata)
Clayton (Rigge)
Battrum
Adiele
Landers (Kante)
West Ham United U21s were rewarded for an excellent performance with a 2-0 victory over Woking in the National League Cup, their first competitive outing of the new campaign. After dictating much of the contest, two late goals from Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kanté sealed all three points which sees Mark Robson's side jump to second in Group C.
The young Hammers almost made the perfect start when Orford’s corner found Ezra Mayers unmarked at the back post, but the defender couldn’t quite convert. West Ham’s sharp pressing and intelligent build-up soon created further chances, while Woking’s main threat came through Innih Effiong and Josh Osunde whose early efforts were repelled by resolute defending, Luizão producing one outstanding recovery challenge to deny Osude a clear run on goal.
As the first half unfolded, the visitors grew in confidence. Orford weaved into the area before flashing a shot just wide, and from a corner Mayers’ header was cleared off the line by Caleb Richards. The hosts had their moments, a goalmouth scramble forcing a fine save from Fin Herrick, but West Ham’s attacking play continued to trouble the home defence, Orford again drawing an acrobatic stop from goalkeeper Tom Norcott before the break.
With Woking down to ten men after a second yellow shown to Sam Ashford, the second half saw the young Hammers take almost complete control, moving the ball confidently in the Woking half and patiently probing for an opening. Ryan Battrum’s thunderous strike against the crossbar came closest, while Preston Fearon, Regan Clayton, and debutant Mohammadou Kanté all helped keep the pressure on Woking’s deep-lying defence. Orford twice went close as the minutes ticked away, only to be denied by the home side’s man of the match, goalkeeper Tom Norcott.
That persistence finally paid off in the closing stages. On 90 minutes, Junior Robinson’s low cross was calmly tucked in by Orford to give West Ham the lead they had long threatened. Deep into stoppage time, on his West Ham debut, substitute Kanté stole the ball high up the pitch, galloped into the area and calmly converted to double the advantage and round off an excellent performance from Mark Robson’s young Hammers which puts them in the top two in Group C after matchday one.
Woking:
Norcott, Hinds (Ward), Odusina (Drewe), Tu. Akinola, Richards, Turner, Andrews (Ti. Akinola), Osude (Hyde), Hall, Effiong, Ashford
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Rush Green
0 - 1
18 August 2025
Herrick
Robinson
Mayers
Fearon (Akpata)
Briggs
Golambeckis
Battrum
Kante
Antonio (Landers)
Adiele
Clayton (Rigge)
West Ham United U21s were narrowly beaten by Nottingham Forest U21s on the opening day of their Premier League 2 campaign. Despite enjoying long spells of possession and pressing Forest back for much of the second half, a first-half error in possession ultimately proved decisive as the visitors held firm to take all three points. A bright and competitive start saw Preston Fearon go close with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, before a lapse in possession proved costly on 19 minutes. Mohamadou Kanté was dispossessed inside his own penalty area allowing Archie Whitehall to slot into the far corner after being teed up by Lamin Sillah. The young Hammers looked for an immediate response and went closest from set pieces, with Fearon and Regan Clayton firing narrowly off target from free-kicks. At the other end, goalkeeper Fin Herrick remained alert to deny James Sinclair and keep his side in the contest heading into half-time.
West Ham came out even more determined to turn the game around, enjoying long spells of possession, with the team working hard to prise open a stubborn Forest backline. Despite positive build-up play, flashes of attacking threat, particularly through the wing play of Emeka Adiele and Ryan Battrum, West Ham were unable to find the breakthrough as Forest dug in to protect their slender advantage.
Nottingham Forest U21s:
Campbell, Thompson, Newton, Hanks, Abbott, Hammond, Sinclair, Smith (Anijsko), Sillah (Willows), Whitehall (Bradshaw), Berry
MANCHESTER CITY
VJoie Stadium
1 - 3 (Kante 90'+5')
22 August 2025
Herrick
Robinson
Mayers
Fearon
Briggs
Golambeckis
Battrum (Caliste)
Akpata (Clayton)
Antonio (Kante)
Rigge (Ajala)
Adiele
West Ham United U21s were beaten 3-1 at the home of the defending Premier League 2 champions Manchester City at Joie Stadium. Despite matching the four-time PL2 winners for much of the contest, and a late strike from Mohamadou Kanté, goals either side of half-time from Ryan McAidoo, Reigan Heskey and Justin Oboavwoduo were enough to seal the three points for the home side.
Keeping a disciplined shape, West Ham limited City’s attacking threat for much of the opening half-hour. Goalkeeper Fin Herrick was equal to everything asked of him, producing a smart save to deny Jaden Heskey, while captain Airidas Golambeckis made a crucial block to keep the scores level. Just before half-time, however, City found a breakthrough when McAidoo intercepted on the halfway line and finished clinically at the far post to give the hosts the lead. City doubled their advantage shortly before the hour through Reigan Heskey, and added a third via Oboavwoduo, but the young Hammers refused to let their heads drop.
The closing stages saw some of their best football, with Emeka Adiele and Preston Fearon combining to create an opening that required a last-ditch clearance on the line after Regan Clayton found Gabriel Caliste unmarked in the penalty area. Herrick then showcased his reflexes again with a great double save to keep the scoreline at three.
The young Hammers did find a consolation goal deep into stoppage time when Kanté, lively since his introduction from the bench, intercepted high up the pitch and struck low into the corner for his second goal in Claret and Blue, ensuring West Ham’s efforts were reflected on the scoresheet.
Manchester City U21s:
Wint, Samuel, Noble, Mfuni, McFarlane, Fapetu (Dada-Mascoll), McAidoo (Muir) J. Heskey, Oboavwoduo (Lawrence), Mukasa, R. Heskey (Sangaré)
SUNDERLAND
Eppleton Colliery FC
4 - 2 (Kante 8', Adiele 16', Landers 58', 76')
29 August 2025
Herrick
Robinson (Medine)
Mayers
Fearon
Briggs (Oyebade)
Golambeckis
Battrum (Sowunmi)
Kante
Landers
Adiele
Clayton (Caliste)
West Ham United U21s stormed to their first Premier League 2 win of the season with a commanding 4-2 victory over Sunderland at the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground. Goals from Mohamadou Kanté, Emeka Adiele and a brace from Josh Landers on his full Premier League 2 debut secured a deserved victory on the road for Mark Robson’s men.
The young Hammers made a blistering start in the North East, racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening quarter of an hour. Kanté opened the scoring on eight minutes, calmly slotting home his third goal in four games after Adiele won possession high up the pitch and picked out the French midfielder. Just eight minutes later, the provider turned scorer. Sunderland gifted possession in their own area, and Adiele was on hand to fire beyond Isaac Allen and double the lead. West Ham’s sharp pressing and confidence on the ball looked set to put the game out of sight early on, but the hosts found a way back before the interval. Ethan Moore broke down the right and squared for Timur Tutierov, who finished clinically to halve the deficit.
Undeterred, West Ham carried their attacking threat into the second half and went close through Adiele, who rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike after dancing past defenders and combining with Clayton. That warning soon turned into another breakthrough, with Adiele again at the heart of the move. His clever cross to the back post was met by Landers, who nodded in his first goal at U21 level to restore the two-goal cushion. Landers’ confidence only grew from there, and the forward doubled his tally 15 minutes from time. A superb through ball from Preston Fearon released Ezra Mayers, who had broken forward from centre-half. His perfect low delivery was tucked away by Landers to make it 4-1. The Hammers had chances to extend their advantage further, with substitute Jethro Medine also striking the crossbar late on.
There was late drama as Sunderland were awarded a penalty when, from a corner, the ball struck Rayan Oyebade, who despite having his arms by his side, was deemed to have committed a red card offence on the goal line. In the ensuing chaos however, the referee mistakenly sent off Fearon.
Sunderland U21s:
Allan, Je. Jones, Lett (Lightfoot), Burke (Proctor), Holcroft (Neild), Kindon, Moore (Scott), Middlemas, Whittaker, Ja. Jones, Tutierov
MILTON KEYNES DONS : Vertu Trophy (Group D)
Stadium MK
5 - 1 (Fearon 12', 39', Maguire 43' [og], Marshall 71', 90+8')
16 September 2025
Fabianski
Golambeckis (Colau)
Mayers
Clayton
Battrum
Kante
Potts
Earthy (Caliste)
Fearon (Medine)
Marshall
Adiele
West Ham United U21s recorded their joint-biggest win in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening, running out emphatic 5-1 winners at Stadium MK. It marked the first time the young Hammers have scored five in the competition, surpassing 2023/24 4-0 victories over Cheltenham Town and Colchester United. First-year professional Preston Fearon, who made his senior debut in the Premier League Summer Series in July against Manchester United, netted a first-half brace, his first goals at U21s level. An own goal and a Callum Marshall double added to an impressive scoreline which sees the young Hammers shoot to the top of Southern Group D.
The evening began with a surprise name on the teamsheet, as Łukasz Fabiański returned between the sticks for his first appearance since signing a new one-year deal. His experience behind a young backline proved valuable in a game where the Hammers showed great maturity in both their attacking and defensive play. Academy graduates Freddie Potts, George Earthy and Marshall were also handed important competitive minutes and were instrumental to all of West Ham’s excellent attacking moves.
The opener arrived after just 12 minutes, and it was one to savour. Mohamadou Kanté threaded a precise pass through to Earthy, who drove into the box and backheeled into the path of Fearon. The 18-year-old midfielder rifled home first time into the bottom corner to claim his first goal for the U21s.
Fearon doubled his tally before the interval. Again it was Kanté at the heart of the move, driving down the left and delivering a low ball across goal for the forward to sweep home with confidence. West Ham added a third just before the break when an Emeka Adiele cross caused panic in the MK Dons box, resulting in an unfortunate own goal from captain Laurence Maguire.
The hosts pulled one back early in the second half from the penalty spot, Aaron Collins converting after a contentious decision against Ryan Battrum. But the response from Mark Robson’s side was immediate. Adiele once again burst forward down the flank and picked out Callum Marshall, who flicked the ball beyond Connal Trueman to restore the three-goal cushion. Marshall then struck again in stoppage time to complete the scoring, finishing off a well-worked set piece to seal a resounding 5-1 victory in front of 130 delighted travelling supporters. Their biggest-ever goal tally in the competition sees them shoot to the top of their group, a huge confidence boost ahead of their return to Premier League 2 action on Friday when they face newcomers Birmingham City.
Milton Keynes Dons:
Trueman, Tripp, Sinclair-Linton (Thompson-Summers), Maguire (Domi), Mellish, Collar, Lewis-Burgess, Troso (Guzynski), Leko, Collins, Medwynter
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Rush Green
3 - 0 (Earthy 16', Marshall 24', Souwunmi 79')
19 September 2025
Wooster
Medine (Colau)
Oyebade (Brown)
Fearon (Akpata)
Golambeckis
Mayers
Caliste (Sowunmi)
Kante
Marshall
Earthy
Adiele
West Ham United U21s extended our unbeaten run to three straight matches in all competitions with a deserved 3-0 win over Birmingham City. The Irons never looked back after taking an early lead thanks to George Earthy’s well-taken effort, and he was quickly joined on the scoresheet by Callum Marshall as we went into the break with a commanding lead.
Substitute Elisha Sowunmi added a third in the second half, capping off an outstanding team performance that secured back-to-back league successes. With Birmingham City coming into this game unbeaten in their opening three league matches, this looked to be a difficult encounter against the Blues, but we were dominant throughout and quickly set out our stall.
We nearly had the dream start when an intricate, flowing move, involving Preston Fearon, Gabriel Caliste, Mohamadou Kanté, Jethro Medine and Emeka Adiele, ended with Earthy having his shot saved. But five minutes later, we set the tone for a dominant display when Earthy put us ahead after 16 minutes. After switching the ball effectively from left to right, some brilliant close control from Fearon saw him collect a lofted pass and find Earthy, who got on the wrong side of his marker before firing the ball in the opposite direction past William O’Sullivan to net the opener.
A second goal felt inevitable, and having been denied moments earlier, Marshall then more than made amends as he doubled our lead, when he latched onto Earthy’s slide-rule pass and rifled a left-footed drive beyond O’Sullivan. As the team pushed forward in search of a third, they were only denied by a superb save from O’Sullivan, with the goalkeeper keeping out Medine’s close-range header.
With half-time approaching, though, our trialist goalkeeper had to be at his most alert to snuff out the danger after Daniel Isichei, Menzi Mazwi and Cameron Eubank all tried their luck multiple times. That seemed to take the sting out of West Ham’s intensity, but we clicked into gear soon after the restart when Earthy deftly chipped the ball over the City defence and into the path of Kanté, but as he stretched to poke the ball home, he could only direct it over the crossbar. Despite the two-goal advantage, the young Hammers continued to press for more goals, and after just eight minutes on the pitch, Sowunmi secured the points with his first-ever Premier League 2 goal.
Birmingham City U21s:
O'Sullivan, Da Silva, Quirk, Burrell, Eubank (Ruiz Rente), Mazwi, Tattum (Guernier), Bateman (Boakye), Isichei, Willis, Betteka (Maddox)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Rush Green
3 - 3 (Landers 7', 8', 24')
26 September 2025
Wooster
Battrum (Sowunmi)
Oyebade
Fearon
Golambeckis
Mayers
Medine
Kante
Landers (Dike)
Caliste (Akpata)
Adiele
West Ham United U21s were made to settle for a point in a crazy Premier League 2 contest at Rush Green Stadium, drawing 3-3 with Brighton & Hove Albion after a lightning start saw Josh Landers hit a 25-minute hat-trick. Against one of the strongest academies in the league and a side in excellent form, the young Hammers exploded into the contest, racing into a three-goal lead inside 25 minutes.
Landers, back in the side after an injury picked up during the international break, wasted no time in announcing his return with two goals inside the opening eight minutes. The first came after a superb move down the left, with Emeka Adiele’s low delivery tucked away following good build-up from Preston Fearon. Moments later, Mohamadou Kanté slid Landers through and the striker coolly found the far corner. If Brighton were shell-shocked, West Ham only turned up the pressure. Landers completed his hat-trick midway through the half, reacting quickest to a spilled save from Jethro Medine’s effort to poke home.
At that point, Mark Robson’s side looked full of confidence, mixing sharp passing with great movement and solid defending to keep Brighton’s usually fluent attack at bay. Even when Harry Howell, who scored his first senior goal in midweek in a 6-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley, struck the bar before the break, the young Hammers’ backline held firm to take a commanding lead into half-time. Brighton, however, showed why they are so highly regarded. A quickfire double just after the restart from Shane Nti and Joe Belmont reignited the contest and shifted momentum firmly in favour of the visitors.
Although Fearon went close to restoring the cushion with a low drive just past the post, the Seagulls’ relentless pressure told late on. With five minutes to play, a cross from the right was turned home by Belmont to level things up at 3-3. With both sides unsatisfied with a share of the spoils, it was a frantic nine minutes of injury time, but ultimately the two sides shared the points in what was a classic example of a game of two halves.
Brighton & Hove Albion U21s:
Ramming, Barclay, Keogh, Simmonds, Atom (MacKley), Knight (Owusu), Oriola, Robertson (Mills), Belmont, Howell (Silsby), Nti
READING : Vertu Trophy (Group D)
Select Car Leasing Stadium
1 - 3 (Marshall 9')
30 September 2025
Wooster
Golambeckis
Oyebade
Mayers
Battrum (Caliste)
Kante
Soucek
Scarles (Medine)
Fearon (Landers)
Adiele
Marshall
West Ham United U21s were left to reflect on what might have been after a controversial evening in the Vertu Trophy saw them fall 3-1 to Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. With three points on the board after matchday one, the young Hammers made a bright start and wasted no time in stamped their authority on proceedings. Captain Airidas Golambeckis went direct, Callum Marshall battled to win a loose ball, and when Emeka Adiele’s effort from outside the box was parried, Marshall reacted first to tuck home his third goal of the competition after just nine minutes.
The match, however, turned on its head almost immediately after the restart. A stray pass was seized upon by Reading and, although Tom Wooster made the initial save, the referee awarded a penalty for minimal contact between Mayers and Jeremiah Okine-Peters before showing the defender a red card. Justice seemed served when Wooster dived low to his right to deny Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan from the spot, but the balance of the game was irreversibly changed.
With ten men, West Ham found themselves under sustained pressure and eventually conceded the equaliser on 63 minutes, Jacob Borgnis pouncing from close range after a set piece wasn’t cleared. Yet the young Hammers still threatened on the break, Adiele going close with a shot that whistled past the post and Marshall working tirelessly as the lone striker to give his side a foothold.
Just when it looked as though they might hold firm for penalties, misfortune struck again. With only minutes left, the referee pointed to the spot for a second time, penalising Oyebade after Sean Patton went down in the area. This time Mark O’Mahony converted, leaving the Hammers chasing the game in the closing stages. A third goal in stoppage time from Okine-Peters put a harsh gloss on the scoreline, and even then West Ham came within a whisker of pulling one back when substitute Gabriel Caliste miscued from close range.
The result was a cruel outcome for a side that had looked composed, compact, and threatening until forced to play for the entire second half a man down. For long spells, Robson’s men defended bravely and continued to create chances despite their numerical disadvantage, but ultimately two contentious penalty decisions and a red card proved decisive.
Reading:
Stevens, Abrefa (Beacroft), Elliot, Ehibhatiomhan (Patton), Rushesha (Sackey), O’Mahony, Stickland, Ryan, Okine-Peters, Borgnis (Duah), Spencer (Tuma)
ARSENAL
Mangata Development Stadium, Meadow Park
2 - 2 (Fearon 34', Mayers 54')
4 October 2025
Wooster
Medine
Oyebade
Fearon
Golambeckis
Mayers
Caliste
Kante (Sowunmi)
Landers
Akpata
Adiele
West Ham United U21s twice led away at Arsenal but were forced to settle for a point after Louie Copley’s late equaliser denied them victory in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Meadow Park.
Arsenal controlled most of the possession in the opening exchanges, but our young Hammers showed patience in their press and real threat in transition. Preston Fearon almost made the breakthrough after being picked out by Tyron Akpata, while Josh Landers went close to wriggling through the home defence. At the other end, Tom Wooster and his back line of Airidas Golambeckis, Ezra Mayers and Rayan Oyebade were called upon to make several important interventions as Arsenal threatened.
The opener arrived on 35 minutes from a set-piece. Emeka Adiele’s delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Mayers, and when Arsenal failed to clear, Fearon was first to react, creating his own space before firing in from close range for his third goal of the season. Parity was restored almost immediately as Arsenal’s Max Dowman drove forward down the middle and found the bottom corner from outside the box with his weaker foot, giving Wooster no chance and ensuring the sides went in level at the break.
If the first half had been largely about containment, the second began with a statement. Within nine minutes of the restart, West Ham started the strongest and struck again through Mayers. Adiele was again the provider, lifting a free-kick to the far post where Mayers rose highest to nod home his first goal at U21 level, capping a superb all-round display from the defender.
From there, Arsenal pressed hard for an equaliser, forcing Wooster into a string of saves, but West Ham continued to carry a threat on the counter. Fearon almost added his second when his curling effort was destined for the top corner, only to be denied by Tommy Setford’s flying save. Substitute Elisha Sowunmi also went close with a deflected strike.
It looked as though the visitors had done enough to withstand the pressure, but deep into stoppage time Arsenal found a way through. After Andre Harriman-Annous recycled a scuffed cross at the back post, he stood the ball up for Copley, who nodded home from close range to restore parity for a second and final time.
A frantic end-to-end last few minutes of stoppage time ensued but the full-time whistle confirmed a share of the points, extending our young Hammers’ unbeaten run in the league to four matches.
Arsenal U21s:
Setford, Nichols (Ferdinand), Washington, Salmon, Clarke, Ibrahim, Stevens (Kamara), Copley, Harriman-Annous, Dowman, Sagoe Jr
SUTTON UNITED : National League Cup (Group C)
Gander Green Lane
3 - 3 (Adiele 35', 37', Ajala 88' [pen]) won 4-3 pens
21 October 2025
Hegyi
Battrum
Oyebade
Fearon
Golambeckis
Mayers
Akpata (Caliste)
Kante
Landers (Ajala)
Adiele
Brown (Medine)
West Ham United U21s claimed a valuable bonus point after a lively 3–3 draw with Sutton United in the National League Cup, winning the shootout 4–3 thanks to four perfect penalties and a decisive stop from returning goalkeeper Krisztián Hegyi.
A brace from Emeka Adiele and a late penalty from Josh Ajala looked enough to secure all three points, only for Sutton to strike twice late on and drag the game to spot‑kicks. Even so, the young Hammers’ composure from twelve yards ensured they moved within a point of Woking in the second qualifying spot, still with a game in hand.
With Head of Coaching and Player Development Greg Lincoln again leading the side, West Ham started brightly at Gander Green Lane. Their early dominance was clear: Preston Fearon surged out from defence to tee up Ryan Battrum, whose shot deflected narrowly wide, before slick combinations between Adiele, Fearon and Josh Landers carved out further chances.
But Sutton struck first against the run of play, Noa Boutin turning in Aaron Jones’ cross midway through the half. West Ham’s response was immediate and emphatic. Battrum’s driving run released Adiele to drill home the equaliser, and moments later the same attacking flow saw Gabriel Caliste slip Adiele through for his second, a cool finish that turned the game on its head before the break.
The Hammers pushed for a third after half-time, with Battrum, Fearon and Landers continuing to stretch the hosts. Adiele almost completed a hat‑trick with a brilliant solo run, only for David Aziaya to deny him — a miss that proved costly when Jayden Harris levelled for Sutton soon after.
West Ham showed impressive resilience, hitting back instantly when substitute Jethro Medine was brought down in the box. Ajala, making his return from injury, buried the penalty with two minutes left. But Sutton refused to fold, and Brandon Njoku’s stoppage‑time strike forced the shootout.
Captain Airidas Golambeckis, Ajala, Adiele and Battrum all converted confidently, leaving Hegyi — making his first competitive appearance since surgery following an injury on Hungary duty — to produce the decisive save and secure the extra point.
The result keeps Lincoln’s side firmly in contention as they prepare to travel to Truro City at the end of November for their third National League Cup fixture.
Sutton United:
Aziaya, Phipps, Simper (Bell), Pruti (Taylor), Tizzard, Jones (Eccleston), Wadham, Harris, Boutin, Njoku, Muller
ASTON VILLA
Rush Green
1 - 0 (Caliste 38')
24 October 2025
Wooster
Medine
Mayers
Fearon
Briggs (Oyebade)
Golambeckis
Caliste (Cummings)
Kante
Landers
Ajala (Battrum)
Adiele
West Ham United U21s stretched their unbeaten Premier League 2 run to five matches with a deserved 1–0 win over Aston Villa at Rush Green on Friday night. Gabriel Caliste’s first‑half strike proved decisive on an evening where Greg Lincoln’s side controlled long spells, created the better chances, and climbed to eighth in the table, now four points clear of the play‑off cut‑off.
Josh Ajala, making his first competitive start of the season after injury, was central to West Ham’s early threat. Operating off the left and linking superbly with Emeka Adiele, he twice went close inside the opening quarter of an hour - first forcing Owen Asemota into a save, then heading narrowly wide from the resulting corner. The young Hammers pressed high, moved the ball crisply, and dictated the tempo.
Their pressure told in the 38th minute. Ajala and Adiele combined neatly to beat the Villa press before Adiele whipped in a low cross that wasn’t cleared. Caliste reacted quickest, guiding the loose ball into the bottom corner - continuing West Ham’s habit of fast starts, having scored first in seven of their last eight matches. Caliste almost turned provider moments later, his teasing delivery flashing across goal with Josh Landers inches away from converting.
West Ham carried their momentum into the second half. Ajala remained lively, again linking with Adiele to create openings for Caliste and Mohamadou Kanté, while Landers saw a one‑on‑one effort denied by Asemota. Despite their dominance, the hosts couldn’t find a second goal, leaving the door open for a late Villa push.
Tom Wooster was called into action in stoppage time, producing an excellent save to turn Ben Broggio’s strike wide. Moments later, Jethro Medine rose brilliantly at the back post to clear a dangerous cross from captain Aidan Borland as Villa chased an equaliser.
But West Ham held firm, securing their second league clean sheet of the season and another impressive step forward in their unbeaten run. Lincoln’s side now turn their attention to a third match in seven days - a crucial Vertu Trophy trip to Swindon Town on Tuesday, where their fate in the competition will be decided.
Aston Villa:
Asemota, McWilliams, Fortes, Carroll, Ruth, Borland, Mulley (Khmer), Hemmings, Wilson (Cotcher), Jimoh, Broggio
SWINDON TOWN : Vertu Trophy (Group D)
The Nigel Eady County Ground
3 - 2 (Ajala 25', Earthy 42', Landers 69')
28 October 2025
Hegyi
Earthy (Caliste)
Landers (Cummings)
Briggs
Kante
Golambeckis
Battrum
Ajala (Medine)
Fearon
Adiele
Oyebade
West Ham United U21s became the first development side to book their place in the Vertu Trophy knockout stages after a hard‑earned 3–2 win over Swindon Town at the County Ground. Goals from Josh Ajala, George Earthy and Josh Landers sealed a vital victory against the joint League Two leaders, lifting the Hammers above Reading on goal difference and guaranteeing a Round of 32 spot regardless of Swindon’s final group result.
Swindon started brightly, peppering the box with long balls and set‑pieces, but Krisztián Hegyi — sharp throughout — dealt comfortably with early efforts from Adam Murphy and Ryan Delaney. Once West Ham settled, their midfield trio of Preston Fearon, Mohamadou Kanté and Ajala began to dictate play, and the breakthrough soon followed. After 25 minutes, Earthy released Ajala on the left, and the winger cut inside before coolly finding the bottom corner on his weaker foot.
Confidence surged. Fearon powered through midfield to set up Landers, whose strike was brilliantly saved by Lewis Ward, but West Ham doubled their lead just before the interval. Captain Airidas Golambeckis won the ball high, Landers threaded a clever pass, and Earthy finished calmly beneath Ward to make it 2–0 at half-time.
Swindon hit back early in the second half through Paul Glatzel, sparking a spell of pressure, but West Ham almost restored their cushion when substitute Gabriel Caliste was denied from close range after fine work from Emeka Adiele. The third goal arrived on 68 minutes, and it was worth the wait: Fearon drove forward, nutmegged his marker, combined with Kanté, and released Landers, who finished confidently for 3–1.
Swindon responded instantly as Glatzel headed in his second, setting up a tense finale. The hosts threw everything forward, but Hegyi produced a superb sequence of saves — including a fingertip touch onto the bar and a point‑blank block — to preserve the lead. After more than seven anxious minutes of stoppage time, the whistle confirmed West Ham’s passage into the knockouts for the second time in three seasons.
Swindon Town:
Ward, Mabete (Wright), Delaney, Clarke, Glatzel, Ehibhatiomhan, Murphy (Ball), Knight-Lebel (Nichols), Bodin (Snowdon), McGregor, Gray (Kirkman)
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Keys Park, Hednesford
1 - 1 (Adiele 58')
3 November 2025
Hegyi
Battrum
Oyebade
Fearon
Colau (Brown)
Briggs
Earthy (Caliste)
Akpata (Medine)
Marshall
Ajala (Landers)
Adiele
West Ham United U21s stretched their unbeaten Premier League 2 run to six matches with a breathless 1–1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Keys Park, a contest that swung from end to end and showcased both the Hammers’ attacking spark and Krisztián Hegyi’s outstanding goalkeeping.
Wolves started on the front foot, dominating possession, but West Ham carved out the early chances. Preston Fearon’s sharp first‑time pass released Callum Marshall, who squared for Josh Ajala at the back post, only for the winger to miss the chance to score for a third straight game. The Hammers grew into the contest, pressing aggressively and linking well through midfield, but the hosts struck first. A blocked shot fell kindly to Tawanda Chirewa, who volleyed beyond Hegyi midway through the half.
West Ham pushed back before the interval. Ryan Battrum went close after neat interplay with George Earthy and Marshall, while Ajala forced Lewys Benjamin into a save from a tight angle, but the Hammers trailed at the break.
Greg Lincoln’s side emerged stronger in the second half, even as Wolves created big chances. Hegyi denied Enso González early on, and that stop proved crucial as West Ham equalised just before the hour. Captain Battrum won the ball high, sparking a slick move involving Earthy, Fearon and Tyron Akpata, whose clever pass found Emeka Adiele. His first effort was blocked, but he reacted quickest to bury the rebound — his tenth goal contribution of the season.
Wolves responded with a barrage of chances, but Hegyi produced a superb sequence of saves, twice denying Chirewa one‑on‑one and then spreading himself brilliantly to stop González. As the game opened up, both sides chased a winner. Wolves missed several clear openings, including Ethan Sutherland’s close‑range effort, before Hegyi tipped Dani Ángel’s strike over and diverted Fletcher Holman’s curler onto the post.
There was late drama when Adiele was tripped in stoppage time, earning West Ham a penalty. Marshall stepped up but saw his effort saved by Benjamin, and the Wolves goalkeeper denied him again moments later as he raced onto a long ball.
Both teams had chances to win it, but neither could find the decisive touch.
Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Benjamin, White, Olagunju, Okuduwa, Pond (Lochead), Bradbury, González (Edozie), Rawlings, Mané (Ángel), Chirewa (Holman), Sutherland
LIVERPOOL
Rush Green
3 - 0 (Marshall 51', Ajala 66', Kante 75')
7 November 2025
Hegyi
Battrum
Oyebade
Fearon
Briggs
Mayers
Earthy (Caliste)
Kante
Marshall (Landers)
Ajala (Medine)
Adiele
West Ham United U21s extended their unbeaten Premier League 2 run to seven matches with a commanding 3–0 win over Liverpool at Rush Green, delivering one of their most controlled displays of the season. Greg Lincoln’s side dominated from start to finish, suffocating Liverpool’s rhythm and striking decisively through Callum Marshall, Josh Ajala and a thunderous Mohamadou Kanté effort.
From the outset, West Ham dictated the tempo. Marshall tested Kornel Miściur with an early header from Rayan Oyebade’s cross, while Preston Fearon orchestrated play from midfield, switching possession with authority. The Hammers carved out the best chance of the first half when Fearon’s perfectly weighted pass sent George Earthy through, only for Miściur to deny him one‑on‑one. Liverpool offered little in response, with Kaide Gordon’s speculative volley drifting harmlessly over as Krisztián Hegyi enjoyed a quiet opening period.
The breakthrough felt inevitable, and six minutes into the second half it arrived. Marshall refused to give up on a loose ball, nipping in to dispossess Amara Nallo before poking home from close range. It was a goal born of persistence and set the tone for a dominant second half.
Ten minutes later, Ajala doubled the lead with a moment of real class. Released by Emeka Adiele, he cut inside, wrong‑footed his marker and curled a superb right‑footed strike into the far corner. West Ham were in full control, and the third goal underlined their superiority. With 15 minutes left, Kanté pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a stunning left‑footed rocket into the top corner.
Substitute Jethro Medine won a late penalty, though Miściur saved his effort, but it did nothing to dull the shine of a dominant performance. West Ham were sharper, hungrier and more cohesive throughout, and the clean sheet reflected their control as much as their attacking quality.
The victory makes it seven unbeaten in the league - and just one defeat in eleven across all competitions - as Lincoln’s side continue to grow in confidence and momentum with every outing.
Liverpool:
Misciur, Ramsay, Lucky, Nallo, Ewing (Bradshaw), Laffey, Morrison, Pilling (Pinnington), Figueroa (Davidson), Gordon, Doherty (Onanuga)
TRURO CITY : National League Cup (Group C)
Truro Sports Hub
3 - 0 (Earthy 15', Marshall 24', Kante 83')
25 November 2025
Hegyi
Batrrum
Oyebade
Orford
Briggs
Mayers
Earthy (Caliste)
Kante
Marshall (Landers)
Fearon (Ajala)
Clayton
REPORT:
ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO : PL International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 4
3 December 2025
Hegyi
Batrrum
Brown (Colau)
Fearon (Rigge)
Briggs
Oyebade
Medine
Orford
Ajala
Caliste (Hargan)
Clayton (Dike)
REPORT:
COLCHESTER UNITED : Vertu Trophy (Group D)
JobServe Community Stadium
1 - 0 (Earthy 17')
9 December 2025
Herrick
Batrrum
Briggs
Mayers
Oyebade
Adiele (Clayton)
Kante
Fearon
Earthy
Marshall
Ajala (Caliste)
REPORT:
SPORTING CLUBE de PORTUGAL : PL International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 2 (Orford 18')
17 December 2025
Herrick
Medine
Brown
Fearon
Briggs
Oyebade
Ajala
Orford
Cummings (Landers)
Adiele
Clayton
REPORT:
ALDERSHOT TOWN : National League Cup (Group C)
The EBB Stadium at The Recreation Ground
5 - 1 (Ajala 6', Golambeckis 12', Orford 25', Earthy 62', Battrum 90+1')
23 December 2025
Wooster
Medine (Battrum)
Clayton
Fearon
Golambeckis
Oyebade
Ajala (Caliste)
Orford
Marshall (Cummings)
Earthy (Landers)
Adiele (Briggs)
REPORT:
AFC WIMBLEDON : Vertu Trophy (Group D)
The Cherry Red Records Stadium
2 - 4 (Ajala 66', Orford 84')
12 January 2026
Herrick
Adiele
Ajala
Battrum (Medine)
Briggs
Clayton (Caliste)
Cummings (Landers)
Golambeckis
Kante
Orford
Oyebade
REPORT:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND II : PL International Cup
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 2 (Cummings 90')
13 January 2026
Wooster
Medine
Akpata (Unwin)
Fearon
Onyeka-Fejokwu (Thomas)
Colau
Sowunmi
Hargan (Kerr)
Landers (Cummings)
Rigge (Jonyla)
Caliste
REPORT:
CHELSEA
Rush Green
5 - 1 (Orford 15', Fearon 26', 59', Ajala 32', 57')
19 January 2026
Wooster
Medine
Brown (Clayton)
Orford
Briggs
Oyebade
Fearon (Sowunmi)
Kante (Battrum)
Landers (Cummings)
Ajala
Adiele
REPORT:
NORWICH CITY
Rush Green
2 - 2 (Battrum 47', Akpata 90+2')
23 January 2026
Wooster
Medine
Brown (Sowunmi)
Fearon
Briggs
Oyebade
Battrum (Akpata)
Orford
Landers (Cummings)
Ajala
Clayton
REPORT:
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