Cheltenham Town 3-1 West Ham United U21s
EFL Trophy Southern Group H, EV Charger Points Stadium, Tuesday 29 October 2024, 7pm GMT
West Ham United U21s’ Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign came to an end at Whaddon Road as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against a battle hardened Cheltenham Town side.
The Robins took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Liam Dulson and never looked back. A well converted penalty on 57 minutes from captain Matty Taylor gave the young Hammers a mountain to climb going into the final half-an-hour. Although West Ham did get a goal back after a neat move finished off by Kamarai Swyer, Tom King put the result beyond doubt with his first senior goal for Cheltenham.
The match started with West Ham attempting to assert their passing game, building from the back with patience, but they found themselves under intense pressure from the outset. Cheltenham's physicality and direct style caused early concern, with skipper Taylor going close on the half volley in the opening minutes. The Hammers weathered the initial storm and looked to break through with their own brand of possession-based play.
Moments after Taylor’s effort, Ollie Scarles found himself in a one-on-one situation at the other end but was brought down by Harrison Sohna on the edge of the box. Despite calls from the Hammers for a sending off for Sohna's last man challenge, the referee deemed a booking a suitable punishment.
Minutes later, Scarles was in the thick of the attacking action again when he was picked out by Luizão on the left. Scarles delivered a dangerous ball into the area, but the ensuing chance fizzled out as Cheltenham’s defenders closed in.
Despite these positive moments, it was Cheltenham who eventually drew first blood on 28 minutes. After sustained pressure, Taylor capitalised on an overload sliding the ball to the left to Dulson. The winger, one-on-one against the goalkeeper, fired goalwards, his effort ricocheting off Fin Herrick into the roof of the net. The Robins continued to press, leaving West Ham trailing at the break.
Emerging for the second half, the Hammers looked to restore balance, but their hopes took a hit when a prolonged spell of Cheltenham pressure led to a penalty in the 57th minute. Taylor, who had orchestrated much of Cheltenham’s attack, stepped up and sent Herrick the wrong way from the spot to double the hosts’ lead.
Mark Robson’s side rallied and responded with a goal of their own just three minutes later. Orford dropped the shoulder and drove forward, before picking out the advancing Scarles on the left. Scarles’ low cross was met by a perfectly placed Swyer at the far post, bringing West Ham back within reach. With the score at 2-1, the young Hammers pushed forward, sensing an opportunity to level the game.
Despite West Ham’s attacking intent, Cheltenham found a way to respond swiftly, quelling the visitors' resurgence. West Ham’s defence, stretched by Cheltenham’s quick transitions, was caught off-guard, and the uphill task grew steeper. In the 70th minute, they exploited an opening on the left. Dulson turned provider as he picked out King at the far post who tucked away his first senior goal to extend their lead once more.
The final stages saw a determined push from Robson’s side, as substitutes Dan Rigge and Favour Fawunmi injected pace and urgency. Fawunmi in particular forced a great stop from Cheltenham’s keeper Joe Day with the final kick of the game, denying West Ham a late consolation.
The defeat brings the U21s’ EFL Trophy campaign to a close. They now turn their attention to Friday’s Premier League 2 clash with Fulham, who currently sit third in the standings.
Cheltenham Town: Day, Liggett, Bakare, Shipley, Willcox, Sohna (Payne 63), Colwill (Tustin 90+2), Pett, Norkett (King 64), Dulson, Taylor © (Bowman 64)
Subs not used: Franks (GK), Bradbury, Kinsella
Goals: Dulson 28, Taylor 57 (pen), King 70
Booked: Sohna, Colwill, Bowman
West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Tarima (Rigge 75), Luizão, Mayers, Robinson, Orford ©, Akpata, Adiele, Swyer, Scarles, Ajala (Fawunmi 75)
Subs not used: Hooper (GK), Moore, Brown, Briggs, Battrum
Goal: Swyer 60
Booked: Robinson
Robson: We learned loads from today’s game
Following another tough encounter against senior opposition, West Ham United U21s lead coach Mark Robson reflected on the demands his young squad encountered.
"We learned loads from today’s game," Robson said. "It was a great experience for the boys, completely different from what they’re used to, especially from a physical and direct point of view. I thought we played really well in the first half. This is what playing professional teams is all about. They won’t be experiencing this every week, so you have to adapt the way you play. Physically, the opposition were very strong, but I thought the boys competed as well as they could have.
"For long periods, we were really good and played out from the back effectively. At half-time, we spoke about finding that right pass in the final third. When we get that right, we’re going to cause problems. I thought we created enough today, and the goal was excellent. The boys kept pushing, didn’t give up, and while we were left exposed at the end, it was only because we were trying to get those goals back."
Reflecting on his younger players' performances, Robson continued: "We had three 17-year-olds starting today, competing against men, and I thought they held their own. For some of them, if and when they go out on loan, today showed them the level they need to aim for."