West Ham United U21s 3-1 Sunderland U21s
Premier League 2, Round of 16, Rush Green Stadium, Saturday 26 April 2025, 12noon BST
West Ham United U21s booked their place in the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at Rush Green Stadium.
Against the side that had knocked them out last season on penalties in the quarter finals, the young Hammers got their revenge, with goals from Josh Ajala, Lewis Orford and Ryan Battrum setting up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United.
The young Hammers could not have wished for a better start, finding themselves ahead inside the opening 20 seconds. Orford, alive to a loose pass from Sunderland goalkeeper Chinonso Chibueze straight from kick-off, seized possession and quickly lofted a clever ball into the path of Kamarai Swyer. Swyer surged down the wing before squaring for Ajala, who made no mistake from close range to fire West Ham in front.
Sunderland, to their credit, responded well to the early setback, applying pressure and finding joy down their left side. Tyron Akpata was called into action with a vital intervention to clear a dangerous cross, while Timur Tutierov hit the side netting from a promising position.
Sunderland’s pressure paid off on 28 minutes from a corner. After Orford’s initial clearance on the line, Jayden Jones’ follow-up was blocked, but Luke Bell was on hand to tap in from close range to level the contest.
West Ham almost responded immediately as Junior Robinson fired into the side netting, but Sunderland continued to grow into the game as the half wore on, forcing West Ham into a defensive shape. Captain Kaelan Casey produced a crucial block deep into added time to keep the scores level and Herrick was called into action on a few occasions putting his body on the line to claim dangerous Sunderland balls into the penalty area.
After an intense opening period, West Ham emerged for the second half with renewed energy. Pressing high and moving the ball quickly, they set the early tone. However, Sunderland came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Tutierov curled an effort against the inside of the post after capitalising on a West Ham mistake.
Undeterred, the Hammers began to reassert themselves. Orford and Robinson combined smartly to release Sean Moore, who fired over, while Swyer and Emeka Adiele linked up well to create another good chance that went begging.
The young Hammers then retook the lead just after the hour mark. Ajala held up Junior Robinson’s excellent long ball from wide, before laying it off to Orford on the edge of the box. West Ham’s No8 made no mistake, rifling a crisp first-time strike into the bottom corner to restore West Ham’s advantage.
Ajala, full of confidence, continued to trouble the Sunderland backline, while Swyer forced a smart save from Chibueze as West Ham pressed for a third.
Sunderland’s hopes of a late comeback were then dealt a huge blow when Jack Whittaker was sent off for hauling down Ajala as the last man after miscontrolling a long ball forward from Orford.
With the extra man, the Hammers turned the screw. Battrum and Swyer created an overload down the left before Battrum steered home the decisive third goal from close range with just minutes remaining.
Orford almost added a fourth in the dying moments, beating two defenders and rattling the crossbar with a thundering drive, but the job was already done as West Ham marched on to the quarter-finals.
Mark Robson’s men will face Manchester United in the next round at Leigh Sports Village on Monday 5 May.
West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Robinson (Briggs 86), Mayers, Akpata, Golambeckis, Casey ©, Moore (Battrum 69), Orford, Ajala, Swyer, Adiele
Subs not used: Hooper (GK), Rigge, Brown
Goals: Ajala 1, Orford 63, Battrum 90
Booked: Moore, Ajala, Robinson,
Sunderland U21s: Chibueze, Jenson Jones, Bainbridge, Middlemas ©, Lavery, Bell, Geragusian (Scott 68), Jaydon Jones (Walsh 69), Ogunsuyi (Neil 80), Whittaker, Tutierov
Subs not used: Derry
Goal: Bell 28
Booked: Jenson Jones
Sent off: Whittaker 83
Robson: We responded really well after the break
After racing into an early lead but facing heavy pressure throughout the first half, lead coach Mark Robson was delighted with the way his side dug in and took control after the break to book their place in the quarter-finals.
“We've played Sunderland twice now, and they're one of the best sides we've faced all season. When our boys go out on loan, that's the type of test they'll be up against, teams that get after you and make life difficult. First half, we didn't deal with it well enough.
"To be honest, I thought they were excellent in that first half and caused us a lot of problems. We were fortunate to go in at 1-1, and Fin Herrick had some important moments that kept us in it. We had a good chat at half-time, regrouped, and came out much better. I thought second half we were the stronger team, looked the more likely to win it, and deservedly so.
“It was a great start to the game for us, but fair play to them. After we scored, they grew into it and controlled much of the first half. They made us work really hard and deserved their equaliser. But, as I said, we responded really well after the break, dictated more of the play, and I'm really pleased we came out with a 3-1 win.”
Robson also reserved praise for the young players who stepped back into the U21s side, fresh from winning the Premier League Cup with the U18s earlier in the week.
“If you look at the last couple of seasons, we've had Kevin Keen’s group win the FA Youth Cup, and more recently Lauris [Coggin] and Zavon [Hines] winning the Premier League Cup. Some of those boys have stepped up and played today.
“Winning becomes a habit, and it's a great habit for young lads to pick up while they’re developing. Learning how to win is so important, and I think you can see the hunger it's given them.
“The young lads have been excellent all season, they've stepped up into the U21s, really held their own, and added a lot to the group. I'm really pleased for them.”
Looking ahead, Robson knows his side will need another strong performance when they travel to face Manchester United in the next round, having already experienced a tight encounter at Leigh Sports Village earlier in the season.
“We've got ourselves into the next round, and it’s another tough game against a strong Manchester United side.
“We played there earlier this season and should have come away with something. We were very good that day and it was a tight game we could easily have taken more from.
“We'll go there in positive spirits, ready for what will be another big challenge. Every round is tough. You get through one, and the next is even tougher, but we'll prepare properly, stay focused, and be ready to give it everything.”
