West Ham United U21s 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Premier League 2, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 1 December, 7pm GMT
West Ham United U21s continued their impressive run of form in Premier League 2 with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
A bitterly cold night at Rush Green Stadium saw the U21s entertain as a thoroughly impressive attacking showing brought a sixth league victory of the season.
Patrick Kelly showed great tenacity to net the opening goal on 29 minutes.
The Northern Irish midfielder won the ball high up the field, before expertly taking the ball around Forest goalkeeper Will Brook to net the Iron’s first.
A second goal arrived just two minutes later when Callum Marshall saw his block deflect over Brook and into the net.
Seeking a response after the break, Forest hit the post through Jack Perkins, before the No7 was then denied by an inspired stop from Jacob Knightbridge, who miraculously kept the Hammers’ two-goal lead intact.
Marshall would then add his second of the match – and West Ham’s third - as his dipping strike from the edge of the area found the bottom corner.
His neat finish on 78 minutes rendered Forest’s late consolation meaningless and means the U21s are now 14 games unbeaten.
Steve Potts’ men stay in second place in Premier League 2 after nine matches played. They have lost just one game this season.
West Ham United starting XI: Knightbridge, Chesters, Laing, Casey © (Tarima 82), Luizão, Scarles (Clayton 68), Kelly, Orford, Earthy (Fawunmi 84), Marshall, Kodua (Moore 68)
Subs not used: Terry (GK)
Goals: Kelly 29, Marshall 31 78
Booked: Luizão
Potts: U21s stood up to the challenge once again
Lead coach Steve Potts is running out of ways to describe the U21s’ performances as they moved 14 games unbeaten on Friday evening.
Such form is down to both talent with and without the ball, as the Hammers showed quality in attack but out of possession they were superb.
An aggressive press brought a hatful of chances – and then the two opening goals.
"In terms of what we were looking for, the boys were doing it to a tee in the first half,” Potts explained.
“It took a bit of work out of possession for us to get those first two goals. We did that well. We got after them, and PK nicked the ball after a really excellent press from the attacking three.
“We say to the boys you are not [doing that press] for the sake of it. You are doing it because you can get chances out of it. And we have had several chances this season from getting after teams and winning turnovers.
“That is what the boys are all about really.”
Knightbridge plays part with stunning stop
With the match poised at 2-0, West Ham’s lead was indebted to a neat bit of work from Jacob Knightbridge.
The first half came and went with little for No1 to do in the freezing cold in East London.
But he made his mark shortly into the second 45, quickly darting across his line to make a great stop from close range.
A bit of luck yes according to Knightbridge, but the save was a crucial one.
“To be fair he hit it straight at me," Knightbridge laughed. “Honestly it is about being in the right position when you can’t guess and go early and it’s about getting into that position to make the stop.
“It was an important time because if it goes 2-1 it’s a different match altogether. But I think until then they didn’t have a sniff and it was a really good team performance.”
Across the pitch, the work was there. Whether Patrick Kelly and Lewis Orford battling in the middle, Kaelan Casey, Luizão and Levi Laing standing tall, or the front three leading the press.
The energy and intensity was clear from every Hammer. Simply, they don’t settle for less than their all.
“I think the togetherness has really pulled us through a lot this year,” the goalkeeper added.
“A few times we have gone down but we’ve bounced back. Against Lyon, Manchester City, and Southampton.
“I think as one of the older players it is about talking and encouraging the rest of the group when we are under pressure.”
Up Next
West Ham United U21s continue their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign against Colchester United on Tuesday.
The young Irons seek to reach the last 16 for the first time in the Club’s history, with kick-off set for 7.30pm at the JobServe Community Stadium.
