Leeds United U21s 2-5 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Elland Road, Friday 25 August, 7pm BST
A third win on the bounce came the way of West Ham United U21s who ran riot at Elland Road on Friday evening.
Steve Potts’ men swept past Sunderland and Valencia in recent victories and quickly had Leeds United in their sights in their third PL2 outing of the campaign.
Kaelan Casey struck the first poking home Ollie Scarles’ corner before a front three of Gideon Kodua, Callum Marshall, and George Earthy showed their class in Yorkshire.
Threatening throughout, Marshall struck his first of a sensational hat-trick on the stroke of half-time to restore the lead after Connor Douglas equalised for Leeds.
The Northern Ireland international added his second shortly after the break turning home a Kodua’s assist to put the Hammers two-goals ahead.
Scarles then found the net himself, powering home from inside the area with a fierce swish of his left foot before Marshall completed his hat-trick, with West Ham’s fifth four minutes from time.
His late goal meant that a Leeds second from Cian Coleman in added time was rendered meaningless and the points returned to east London.
The Hammers rise to sixth in the Premier League 2 table, with six points from their first two games.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Chesters (Robinson 83), Laing (Tarima 85), Casey (c), Luizão, Scarles, Kelly (Battrum 87), Orford, Earthy, Marshall (Moore 87) Kodua
Subs not used: Herrick (GK)
Goals: Casey 10 Marshall 45+4, 50, 87 Scarles 68
Booked: Kelly
Potts: The U21s have a higher level to reach
Despite five goals at Elland Road, lead coach Steve Potts was adamant that the U21s have higher levels to reach this season.
Three wins on the bounces means there was plenty for the former Hammer to be proud of, although he was clear there was more to come from his side, despite the margin of victory.
“I think they can still play better; I really believe that” he explained. “I think they have shown in glimpses what they can do but I haven’t seen 90 minutes of what they can produce yet. And that has to be the aim to produce those levels for longer parts of the game.
“Some of the football in the second half was really good. In the first half, I don’t think we passed the ball the way we can. In the second half, they showed their real quality in what they did. Some of the moves were fantastic."
Going into the Irons’ fourth PL2 game of the season, Potts is confident with momentum behind the Hammers from recent performances.
The showing tonight once again confirmed there is plenty of reasons to be excited by this crop of talent in east London.
Potts added: “They can control the game more in-possession. I want them to pass the ball with purpose and try to hurt the opposition not just keep it. We showed want we can do in the second half against Leeds.”
Casey praises an incredible week of wins for U21s
Sunderland, Valencia, and now, Leeds United.
Three wins in seven days means it has been an impressive week for the U21s, according to Kaelan Casey.
Skipper for the evening at Elland Road, Casey was quick to praise of his teammates showing.
Casey, who signed a new contract with the Club earlier this month, explained: “It has been a good week. There has been a lot of hard work but nine points from three games is what we wanted.
“I am really proud of the boys. Arsenal was a tough game and everyone was really down after that but we got our heads right and we have got the points from these three games.
“I haven’t found the [short time between games] too bad. I’ve found it alright. The boys dug deep and even at the end we were running about."
Quickly it is on to Everton, then. Can we see another Casey goal too, following his effort on Friday evening?
“Straight away I was off to celebrate,” he added, on his opening goal at Leeds. “I knew with was over the line. My first job is defending but also I want to get a goal for the team.
“We have a few days off and then we will get back in and recover and go again against Everton.”
Up next
West Ham United U21s will next to be in action against Everton on Friday 1 September.
Our fourth PL2 outing of the season will be played at Rush Green Stadium, with kick-off at 7pm.
