Blackburn Rovers U21s 1-3 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Blackburn Rovers Academy, Saturday 2 March 2024, 1pm GMT
West Ham United U21s came from behind to defeat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 and stay second in Premier League 2 on Saturday afternoon.
First-half goals from Luizao and Lewis Orford overturned Dominik Biniek’s opener by the interval, as the Hammers battled to consecutive wins with another strong showing.
A stoppage-time free-kick from George Earthy secured the U21s’ tenth league win of the season, despite late Blackburn pressure.
The Hammers moved to within one point of leaders Tottenham Hotspur.
Unbeaten in five previous league games, Blackburn was another test that the Hammers had to show character to sweep aside. They delivered once again, though, despite an early setback.
A quick corner saw Biniek find the bottom corner from the edge of the area on 21 minutes, although the Hammers stuck to their task.
After Junior Robinson hit the post, and Orford struck a free-kick narrowly wide, the U21s responded when Luizao made a surging run forward to tuck home with a striker’s finish from close range.
The Hammers then took the lead as a flowing move saw Ollie Scarles – his second assist of the fixture – find Orford who struck home from inside the area.
Chances came and went in the second half as Kamarai Swyer struck wide, while Patrick Kelly went close twice, forcing a save and then sending the ball over from close range.
Earthy, though, would find the third to clinch the victory, as his superb free-kick nestled in the top right corner in stoppage time.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Robinson, Laing, Casey, Luizao, Scarles (Clayton 46), Kelly, Orford, Moore (Battrum 71), Swyer (Rigge 90+1), Earthy
Subs not used: Herrick (GK), Tarima
Goals: Orford 34, Luizao 40, Earthy 90+1
Bookings: Casey, Robinson
Potts praises showing at Blackburn
A tricky run of fixtures means there were many plaudits from lead coach Steve Potts by the full-time whistle.
After a defeat to Chelsea, the young Hammers have battled to a draw against Tottenham Hotspur and then recorded wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and now Blackburn.
Plenty of momentum then as the U21s head into the final part of the season, according to Potts.
The lead coach said: “In the last few years, we have struggled against Blackburn. They have thrown a lot at us, played some good football too, and they test you [when you play at their ground].
“So, to come here and get a result like that is really good. It was a tight pitch and a bit worn but we played some good stuff.
“Blackburn came at us in the second half, but it was a case of who would get the next goal [at 2-1]. I thought it was a good team performance and without that – when you play here – you will come unstuck.
“We’ve had a tough run of fixtures recently, and this one was a different test with the amount of travelling involved. So, if you piece it all together it was a really good result for us.”
Laing: We’re happy to make it consecutive wins in all competitions
A week on from reaching the Premier League International Cup semi-finals, the Hammers were back to winning ways.
Two consecutive wins is an important return to form too, says defender Levi Laing.
“It was a hard game,” he stated. “In the second half, they came out raring to go, but Jacob Knightbridge made some good saves, and we defended well too.
“The set-up means there is a lot of 1v1 defending [for players in the back-three] but Steve Potts trusts us to do that, and I like to think I flourish in that challenge when we let Junior, Ollie, and Regan go forward.
“It’s good for me to be back in the team and showcase my talent and I want to use every match as an opportunity and do everything I can to play well.
“We have had some tough games recently, but it was important to get back to winning ways, and now hopefully we can keep this run of wins going.”
Up Next
The U21s continue their PL2 campaign at home to Fulham on Friday 8 March.
Kick-off is set for 7pm at Rush Green Stadium.
