Newport County 0-1 West Ham United U21s
EFL Trophy, Rodney Parade, Tuesday 31 October, 7.30pm
West Ham United U21s booked their place in the EFL Trophy last 32 with a group game to spare after a 1-0 win at Newport County.
An even game unfolded at Rodney Parade, although a moment of real quality decided the fixture with just over an hour played.
Lewis Orford found Gideon Kodua, who skipped past his man with ease on 63 minutes.
His right-footed drive from 25 yards out nestled in the top corner to take the Irons into the EFL Trophy knockouts for the first time since 2020/21.
Kodua’s strike takes the Hammers through following a previous 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers, and therefore six points from their first two games.
The Hammers could have had more goals in Newport too. George Earthy and Kodua went close in the first half, while Lewis Orford missed a chance to double the lead late on.
Newport’s best chance arrived after three minutes when Nathan Wood hit the post from close range.
To Steve Potts' men's credit, they limited the opponents to little after that moment and deservedly took the points back to East London.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Robinson, Laing, Casey (Forbes 90+1), Luizao, Scarles, Kelly, Orford, Earthy, Kodua (Battrum 90+12), Chesters (Clayton 75)
Subs not used: Herrick (GK), Moore, Fawunmi, Tarima
Goal: Kodua
Booked: Clayton, Robinson, Orford, Luizao
Kodua winner seals place in knockouts
Practice makes perfect as Gideon Kodua proved with a sensational strike against Newport County.
His strike was perfected on the training ground in East London and brought all three points in Wales.
“I have been working hard on that with Gerard,” Kodua said. “If I’m working on something I’ve got to try it in a game.
“It’s just when cutting inside and bending it towards the corner. We normally use a mannequin to practice finding the top corner.”
It was the second time this season that Kodua’s sole goal brought the U21s victory. Newport County was similar to Valencia – a 1-0 win once more edged by Kodua’s neat finish.
With Callum Marshall absent with injury, Kodua led the line superbly at Rodney Parade. He also praised the Hammers defence for another top showing.
“It was a very big game for us,” he said. “It was going to be a goal like that or a mistake because it was very even.
“I am very versatile [so enjoyed leading the line tonight!] But the boys all over the pitch were good. Once we found our feet, every ball they put in we either got first contact or got the ball out. The boys defended well.
“We have got hardwork and grit and talent comes after that. We want to keep showing what we can do [in the knockouts of this competition!].”
Up Next
West Ham United U21s travel to Liverpool on Saturday. The Hammers' eighth Premier League 2 fixture of the season kicks-off at 2pm.
