Academy

Report & Highlights: U21s score four in Liverpool win

4th November 2023

Liverpool U21s 0-4 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Liverpool Training Centre, Saturday 4 November, 2pm

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.

A clinical counter gave West Ham the opening goal when Callum Marshall finished a well-worked move after 13 minutes.

Marshall would add his second of the afternoon on the hour, taking his season tally to 17 goals in all competitions, after Junior Robinson’s knockdown from Regan Clayton’s cross left the No9 with a tap-in.

Patrick Kelly then dinked the on-rushing Liverpool goalkeeper to leave Gideon Kodua with an empty goal to add the Irons’ third just three minutes later.

And buoyed on by a couple of impressive saves from goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge, Earthy then made in four, with a neat swivel and turn 17 minutes from time, after a mistake from the Liverpool keeper.

Earthy’s goal took the Irons to nine goals in their last two PL2 games and saw an unbeaten run extend to eleven games.

The U21s move to second in the PL2 table with their fifth league win of the season.

West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Robinson (Chesters 65), Casey (Laing 69), Forbes, Luizao (Moore 72), Clayton, Orford, Kelly, Kodua (Scarles 66), Marshall, Earthy
Subs not used: Terry (GK)

Goals: Marshall 13 60, Kodua 63, Earthy 74

Prenderville praises brilliant Hammers

It was another dominant showing from the U21s on Saturday afternoon.

An even first half yes, but the Irons dominated in the second and scored three goals in 14 minutes to take the game away from their opponents.

As such, Gerard Prenderville was delighted with the performance and full of plaudits for his side after a third win in eight days.

The U21s assistant coach said: “It has been a good week but a long one with three games. The players had to deal with that, and it was really good and impressive again. All the boys have played their part [over the week].

“They work so hard on the training pitch, in the analysis room, and the gym. There’s a real togetherness in this group.”

Prenderville picked out an impressive front three of Gideon Kodua, George Earthy, and Callum Marshall, although he also praised a dominant defence, who secured their third clean sheet in eight days.

“For me, it was about the defensive players today,” he added. “It was a real captain’s performance from Michael [Forbes] and Jacob [Knightbridge] made a few good saves too.

“The communication to the front line from the back to keep pressing was really good and yes we had a lot of goals today, but it’s about the whole squad and team, who backed up those attacking players.”

Clayton back with two wins in two PL2 starts

Consecutive Premier League 2 starts for Regan Clayton, who has starred in recent wins over Middlesbrough and Liverpool.

The wingback has made his way back from injury and has helped the Hammers move second in the table with a stunning victory.

Clayton showed his versatility, as he started at wing-back, before he moved to left centre-half to get the job done against the Reds.

“The boys are on a good streak so it has been difficult to get back into the [starting XI]," he said. “But when I have had an opportunity, I think I have taken it.

“The hunger the boys have and the way we go into games and training, it is impressive. We had it last year with the U18s and we have brought that to the U21s this season.

“It’s just the togetherness that we have and willingness not to concede goals but also score goals as well."

For Clayton and company, it is now about maintaining those high levels next time out.

He added: “Everyone is focused and as much as we’re already [into the last 32] we want to go [to Cheltenham Town] and win and top the group. We want to continue this winning streak!"