Cheltenham Town v West Ham United U21s
Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Tuesday 7 November, The Completely-Suzuki Stadium, 7.30pm GMT
West Ham United U21s continue their Bristol Street Motors Trophy - formerly EFL Trophy - campaign with a trip to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.
The Hammers, who booked their place in the last 32 with a 1-0 against Newport County a week ago, will strive to make it three wins from three matches in the competition.
The U21s would book the top spot of Group H with a win and will take confidence from a current eleven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Robinson: We must continue this unbeaten momentum
Junior Robinson has challenged himself and his teammates to keep the Hammers’ unbeaten run going next time out.
Impressive in the win over Liverpool, the wing-back is well aware of the test to come against an EFL League One outfit.
He said: “We are happy that we got another clean sheet against Liverpool as well as the win. That’s three clean sheets in three games.
“I thought we played well. We pressed them well and we were clinical in attack.
“Everyone wants to win the game on Tuesday…and come top of the group. The fixture list has been tough but that brings everyone together. When it gets tough we work even harder.”
With the two midfielders in Steve Potts' 3-5-2 sitting deep, the Irons wing-backs are given the freedom to push on. A role Robinson is not only enjoying but thriving in.
He added: “That position suits me. But Cal is always going to score us goals so if we do our job [of creating chances] and he does his, we’re going to score goals. It is like a front five almost, which suits our strengths."
How did we do in the competition last year?
Since entering for the first time in 2016/17, when a 17-year-old Declan Rice started our inaugural tie at Coventry City, the furthest the U21s have gone in the competition was the Southern section round of 16, which the young Irons reached in 2017/18 and 2020/21.
Last season, West Ham United U21s finished on six points alongside the top two in Group C but, even after memorable wins over Cheltenham Town and Walsall, were eliminated from the 2022/23 edition on goal difference.
How we have done in the EFL trophy in 2023/24?
This is our final group stage match after wins over Bristol Rovers and Newport County.
As per competition rules, West Ham will have played all three group matches away from home, with the top two in each of the 16 groups going through to the knockout stages.
Tuesday 19 September - Bristol Rovers 1-3 West Ham United U21s (Marshall 2, Earthy)
Tuesday 31 October - Newport County 0-1 West Ham United U21s (Kodua)
Tuesday 7 November - Cheltenham Town (A), 7.30pm
You can read more about the competition here.
Last Time Out
West Ham United U21s added Liverpool U21s to an impressive list of wins over the last eight days.
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.
Tickets
West Ham United supporters have been allocated seats in the Colin Farmer Stand. Entry is via Gate 5, located on the corner of Wymans Road and Whaddon Road.
For more details on tickets click here.
How to Follow
We will have a live blog on the Club website, with report, reaction, and highlights to follow shortly after the full-time whistle.
