West Bromwich Albion U21s 2-4 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, WBA Training Ground, Monday 15 January, 1pm GMT
It took just three minutes for West Ham United U21s to launch their return to winning ways, as Kamarai Swyer set Monday's 4-2 win over West Bromwich Albion in motion with an instinctive strike.
George Earthy added the U21s second midway through the first half, before Michael Forbes’ flicked Luizao’s volley home to put the Hammers on their way to a fifth league win on the bounce.
West Ham were made to work to keep hold of second place in Premier League 2, however, after Oliver Bostock struck on 75 minutes and Akeel Higgins converted a minute later.
But the Hammers saw out their fifth win in six matches, aided by Dan Rigge’s late effort, and have now lost just one league game in eleven this campaign.
After returning loanee Swyer, recalled from his spell at Crawley Town, gave Steve Potts’ men the perfect start on Monday afternoon, West Brom had chances to pull level.
Higgins forced a good save from Jacob Knightbridge, and Jovan Malcolm also hit the bar, but it was all West Ham, who should have been out of sight by the break.
While Earthy smashed a second West Ham goal between the West Brom shirts, huge chances came and went for those in Claret and Blue.
Sean Moore struck the bar, while Lewis Orford, and later Earthy, were denied by some inspired reactions between the sticks from Ben Cisse.
The Irons did get a third goal in the second half as Luizao’s volley flicked Forbes on its way into the net, with skipper happy to claim his first goal of the season despite knowing little about it.
But what looked to be a comfortable end to the contest somehow turned nervy after Bostock and Higgins struck in matter of minutes to give West Brom a lifeline out of nothing.
Slightly shocked by the Baggies’ quick double, West Ham were relieved to see Rigge’s first goal at Under-21 level secure victory late on.
They were made to work for the three points but are still yet to taste defeat in PL2 since the opening day of the campaign.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Robinson (Tarima 75), Laing, Forbes ©, Luizao, Clayton, Orford (Rigge 75), Kelly, Earthy, Swyer (Ajala 87), Moore (Briggs 89)
Subs not used: Terry (GK)
Goals: Swyer 3, Earthy 24, Forbes 73, Rigge 85
Orford: Defence did well to see out the win
A bit of a battle but the U21s got over the line at West Brom.
Dan Rigge’s late strike settled any nerves, with Lewis Orford pleased his side could return to winning ways, despite a late flurry of West Brom’s goals.
“At 3-0 I thought the game was killed off,” Orford stated, “but they got two goals back.
“I still don’t think it was in doubt that we would win the game and we did well to see it out from there.”
Incredibly, the U21s have scored 36 goals in Premier League 2, more than any other side, although Orford was quick to praise the work of the defenders.
Regan Clayton and Junior Robinson both impressed at wing-back, while the back-three did well to see off the late West Brom pressure.
“We defended really well,” Orford added. “They were really direct but our back three [Levi Laing, Luizao, and Michael Forbes] did a good job.
“It's our first win of 2024 so it is good to get that and get back to winning ways [ahead of Friday’s fixture].”
Up Next
West Ham United U21s return to Premier League International Cup action on Friday evening against GNK Dinamo Zagreb.
The match will be played at Chigwell Construction Stadium, with kick-off set for 7pm.
