Newcastle United U21s 0-1 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Whitley Park, Friday 20 September 2024, 7pm BST
West Ham United U21s made it four wins from four at the start of the 2024/25 Premier League 2 season with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at Whitley Park.
The young Hammers were made to work hard by a much-fancied Newcastle side, but a wonderful winner from Kamarai Swyer after 77 minutes earned us a hard-fought three points.
In a goalless first half, clear-cut chances were few and far between as both sides cancelled each other out well. Swyer, Lewis Orford and Sean Moore fired wide for the visitors, while Ben Parkinson headed an effort over the bar for Newcastle United.
The second half was a totally different story, as it turned into a breathless end-to-end encounter that saw both sides have their chances. But it was Swyer who delivered the decisive moment as he latched onto a perfectly placed ball over the top by Lewis Orford and finished past Aidan Harris.
The visitors started brightly as Swyer got on the end of Ryan Battrum’s brilliant low cross but was unable to fire beyond Harris before Orford forced a smart near-post save from the Newcastle No1.
On the half-hour mark, the young Hammers spurned another chance when Moore created some space outside of the box after some nifty footwork, only for his attempt to go just wide of the left-hand post, while it took until just before the break for the hosts to create their first meaningful chance. Johnny Emerson's cross was met by Parkinson, but his header is deflected wide of the target by Luizão.
After a largely uneventful first half, the game sparked into life in the second period. It was Newcastle who started in the ascendancy with Trevan Sanusi's curling effort tipped around the post at full stretch by Finlay Herrick before Sanusi embarked on a long mazy run on the break through midfield and managed to get a shot on goal, but Herrick dived low to his left to save.
But the decisive moment arrived after 77 minutes in spectacular fashion. A stunning long ball over the top from Orford inside his own half was pounced on by Swyer, who finished the game’s only goal with incredible composure.
The young Hammers almost doubled their advantage late on through Ollie Scarles’ curling free-kick, and despite having to withstand late pressure from as Newcastle sought an equaliser, we clung on for three points to move to the top of the Premier League 2 table.
West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Battrum, Luizão, Mayers, Tarima (Briggs 90+3), Orford ©, Akpata, Adiele (Ajala 43), Moore, Scarles Swyer
Subs not used: Abraham (GK), Rigge, Fawunmi
Goal: Swyer 77
Booked: Mayers, Orford, Akpata, Moore, Scarles
Robson: We showed a different type of character that you need in football
Lead coach Mark Robson was understandably delighted with the way his side dug in and go their reward with a fourth win in four Premier League 2 matches to kick-off the 2024/25 season.
Robson said: “I was really pleased with the boys tonight. It’s been a hard week for us as we went to Newport on Tuesday and then came to Newcastle tonight. We knew it was going to be a tough game and knew fatigue could play a part, but I thought in the first half we were really good again. We played some really nice, controlled football.
“If we had put the one or two chances we had away, we could’ve come in at half-time a bit more comfortable. We dug in a bit in the second half as Newcastle put a bit more pressure on us higher up the pitch. I’m really pleased for the boys, as we didn’t get the result we deserved on Tuesday but showed a different type of character that you need in football. There’s a nice feeling at the moment.
“The ball from Lewis [Orford] is nothing short of world-class; it was that good. He’s dropped it maybe 60 or 70 yards to find Kamarai [Swyer], and he’s shown great composure to finish excellently.”
Swyer: It’s great to be able to help the team
The man of the moment in the North-West was Kamarai Swyer, who made the right run at the right time before latching onto Lewis Orford's long through ball and finishing bravely, despite being clattered by Newcastle's goalkeeper as he did so.
The reward was a goal and three points, delighting the forward, who also played in Tuesday's 1-0 EFL Cup defeat at Newport County in South Wales.
The match-winner said: “It’s been a long week. We were unlucky on Tuesday but came here and put in a similar performance and managed to get a really important win. I think we were the better team in the first half and didn’t take our chances and showed a different side in the second half and managed to take our chances.
“We were actually in a similar position on Tuesday [that they scored from on Friday] but managed to put this one away. We were under a bit of pressure at that point, so it was an important goal, and I’m delighted to help the team.
“I think we’ve been really consistent in the league and have started the season well, so as long as we keep playing like we have, then we can keep on winning!”