West Ham United U21s 0- 2 Chelsea U21s
Premier League 2, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 9 February, 7pm GMT
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.
The Irons started brightly and Sean Moore almost opened the scoring after 12 minutes when George Earthy made space for a cross on the left and found Moore, but his stooping header went narrowly wide.
Chelsea gradually gained the upper hand and served a warning of their threats as Sam Rak-Sakyi’s piledriver cannoned back off the post.
Deivid Washington then wasted a glorious chance for the visitors before Castledine forced a smart stop from Jacob Knightbridge.
Chelsea continued where they left off after the break with Knightbridge excelling with a block on Stutter’s close-range shot.
Divin Mubama failed to capitalise on a gilt-edged chance to put the Hammers ahead up the other end when he could only put his effort straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
The visitors then broke the deadlock after 69 minutes when Stutter slotted in following a swift counter-attack.
However, the Irons almost levelled immediately. A ball into the Chelsea box was allowed to bounce and Mubama held off a challenge from Billy Gee before he shot at Sharman-Lowe, who saved superbly.
West Ham continued to push and probe in desperate search of an equaliser but were dealt a major blow as Chelsea doubled their advantage after Washington was brought down inside the box.
The unlucky Knightbridge got a strong hand to Castledine’s spot-kick but it crept over the line as the Irons’ six-match winning run in Premier League 2 came to an end.
Steve Potts’ men stay in second place in the league after 13 matches played.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Robinson, Clayton, Orford, Casey ©, Luizao, Moore, Kelly, Mubama (Swyer 77), Earthy, Scarles
Subs not used: Terry, Tarima, Briggs, Rigge
Booked: Mubama, Kelly, Casey, Moore
Potts: I can't fault the players
Despite defeat, Steve Potts took pride in West Ham United U21s' resilience and character against Chelsea U21s.
The development team lead coach insisted there are plenty of positives to take.
“It’s a disappointing result. No one likes losing, especially this group. But what I said to them is that there are ways of losing and I can't fault the players as they done everything they were asked.
“I thought we started the second half really well, but it just didn’t happen in front of goal for us tonight. We’ve scored in every game we have played this season, so that’s the first time we haven’t scored.
“It was a decent game, and we played some really good stuff against good opposition. There are lots of positives to take out the game.
“It was just one of those nights.”
Clayton: I thought it was a good performance
Regan Clayton was happy to show his personal attributes in Friday's outing against the Blues.
Clayton started the match in place of Michael Forbes and gave an assured performance, something the young defender is eager to build on.
"We are disappointed. With the group we have, we just want to win, and we have been used to that this season with the hard work we’ve put in at training. It is frustrating as we did have our chances, but I thought it was still a good performance.
“I haven’t played for a while, so coming back in I knew I had to attack it and show people I’m still about. I thought defensively I done well, and when we attacked I knew I had to do everything for the team.
“There’s a lot of competition in the team but it’s healthy and that’s why we have done so well. I think that’s why we have done so well because everyone is pushing each other to get the best out of them as they know someone will come in and take their position if they’re not at it.”
Up next
West Ham United U21s continue their Premier League 2 campaign against Tottenham U21s next Saturday.
The young Irons will seek to inflict a first league defeat of the season on the Premier League 2 leaders Tottenham, with kick-off set for 12noon at Hotspur Way.
