Leeds United U21 vs West Ham United U21

KO:19:00

25/08/2023

Elland Road

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Leeds United U21s v West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Elland Road, Friday 25 August, 7pm BST

West Ham United U21s continue their Premier League 2 campaign with a trip to Leeds United on Friday evening.

The Irons travel to Elland Road hoping to record their second PL2 win on the bounce and third straight win in all competitions.

Boosted by recent victories over Sunderland and Valencia, Steve Potts’ men will be confident ahead of their third PL2 outing of the season.

Read on for our preview below:

Prenderville: It is important our U21s get used to playing games in quick succession

U21s assistant coach Gerard Prenderville is confident the young Hammers can continue the winning momentum on Friday evening, despite such a congested fixture list due to involvement in the Premier League International Cup.

Three games in seven days – Sunderland last Friday, Valencia on Tuesday, and then Leeds this Friday – means there has been a quick turnaround between fixtures for the U21s.

Prenderville is adamant the Irons must learn to cope with the demands of a packed schedule.

“It is always busy in September, October…and that build up to the Christmas break,” Prenderville, who has stepped up from an U18s coaching role to assist Steve Potts following Mark Robson’s promotion to the first team coaching staff, explained.

“It is a lot about learning for the boys because whatever level they go on to play at they will be looking at two games maybe even three game weeks.

“So, it’s back on the training pitch, travel Thursday, and then there is a game on Friday. Leeds will be another strong test. They are aggressive, look to get on the front foot, and press from the front.”

What is clear is that confidence is growing amongst the U21s as, after a difficult start away to Arsenal, two wins have followed on the bounce.

There was plenty to enjoy from performances in east London over the past week but now it is about transitioning that to their travels. Leeds United, who beat Manchester United 2-1, will be a difficult test, though. So, what can the Hammers take from their win last time out?

“The players' application and desire, I thought it was fantastic against Valencia,” Prenderville added. “We gave ourselves a real platform with the way we defended, and a little bit of magic from Gids wins us the match.

“By not conceding you give yourself a chance, you are always one moment away from winning the game. We will look to carry on how we have been performing in the last two games and are looking forward to the challenge Leeds will present.”

Knightbridge: We have lots of top keepers in our ranks!

After a successful season on loan with Harrow Borough, Jacob Knightbridge is back with West Ham United U21s and looking to push on.

A key figure in the Irons’ recent Premier League 2 win, Knightbridge is one of the many talented goalkeeper in the Academy’s ranks.

With Joseph Anang featuring for the U21s against Valencia, Knightbridge also faces competition from fellow goalkeepers Mason Terry and Finlay Herrick.

Jacob Knightbridge in action for Harrow Borough

There is plenty of talent across the goalkeeping ranks then, especially with Nathan Trott and Kristian Hegyi also on loan.

“It is strong competition,” Knightbridge explained. “There’s a lot of top quality keepers from everywhere, but you have got to focus on yourself, keep working, and take your chances when they come along.

[Last year’s loan] was good to get a bit of both worlds. Training with the U21s and playing games in non-league as well. It was much more physical, so it was good to get both sides of football.

“I think to have the adaptability is really important. If the manager wants you play one way against one team and against another a different way, it's good to be able to do that.”

Last Time Out

West Ham United U21s produced a resolute performance in their opening match of the Premier League International Cup, as they beat Valencia CF 1-0 at Chigwell Construction Stadium.

In an incredibly even contest on Tuesday evening, it looked as though the match was going to be heading to a stalemate, but Gideon Kodua produced a moment of real quality, firing the ball into the bottom corner late on to win the tie.

It saw the young Hammers record consecutive wins in all competitions, having beaten Sunderland four days earlier.

Opposition

It has been a bright start for Leeds United U21s, who have won their first two games of the Premier League 2 season.

Coached by Michael Skubala, an opening day win over Brighton & Hove Albion and then a victory over Manchester United – in both fixtures their opponents were reduced to ten men – has seen Leeds rise to fourth in the table, at the time of writing.

Last season, Leeds United finished second in Premier League 2 Division 2, level on points with leaders Southampton.

Tickets

Tickets are priced at £6 for adults, with concessions for £3.

You can buy tickets for this match HERE.

How to Follow

We will have a live blog on the Club’s website, with report, reaction, and highlights to follow shortly after the full-time whistle.

Leeds United U21s 2-5 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Elland Road, Friday 25 August, 7pm BST

A third win on the bounce came the way of West Ham United U21s who ran riot at Elland Road on Friday evening.

Steve Potts’ men swept past Sunderland and Valencia in recent victories and quickly had Leeds United in their sights in their third PL2 outing of the campaign.

Kaelan Casey struck the first poking home Ollie Scarles’ corner before a front three of Gideon Kodua, Callum Marshall, and George Earthy showed their class in Yorkshire.

Threatening throughout, Marshall struck his first of a sensational hat-trick on the stroke of half-time to restore the lead after Connor Douglas equalised for Leeds.

The Northern Ireland international added his second shortly after the break turning home a Kodua’s assist to put the Hammers two-goals ahead.

Scarles then found the net himself, powering home from inside the area with a fierce swish of his left foot before Marshall completed his hat-trick, with West Ham’s fifth four minutes from time.

His late goal meant that a Leeds second from Cian Coleman in added time was rendered meaningless and the points returned to east London.

The Hammers rise to sixth in the Premier League 2 table, with six points from their first two games.

West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Chesters (Robinson 83), Laing (Tarima 85), Casey (c), Luizão, Scarles, Kelly (Battrum 87), Orford, Earthy, Marshall (Moore 87) Kodua
Subs not used: Herrick (GK)

Goals: Casey 10 Marshall 45+4, 50, 87 Scarles 68
Booked: Kelly

Potts: The U21s have a higher level to reach

Despite five goals at Elland Road, lead coach Steve Potts was adamant that the U21s have higher levels to reach this season.

Three wins on the bounces means there was plenty for the former Hammer to be proud of, although he was clear there was more to come from his side, despite the margin of victory.

“I think they can still play better; I really believe that” he explained. “I think they have shown in glimpses what they can do but I haven’t seen 90 minutes of what they can produce yet. And that has to be the aim to produce those levels for longer parts of the game.

“Some of the football in the second half was really good. In the first half, I don’t think we passed the ball the way we can. In the second half, they showed their real quality in what they did. Some of the moves were fantastic."

Going into the Irons’ fourth PL2 game of the season, Potts is confident with momentum behind the Hammers from recent performances.

The showing tonight once again confirmed there is plenty of reasons to be excited by this crop of talent in east London.

Potts added: “They can control the game more in-possession. I want them to pass the ball with purpose and try to hurt the opposition not just keep it. We showed want we can do in the second half against Leeds.”

Casey praises an incredible week of wins for U21s

Sunderland, Valencia, and now, Leeds United.

Three wins in seven days means it has been an impressive week for the U21s, according to Kaelan Casey.

Skipper for the evening at Elland Road, Casey was quick to praise of his teammates showing.

Casey, who signed a new contract with the Club earlier this month, explained: “It has been a good week. There has been a lot of hard work but nine points from three games is what we wanted.

“I am really proud of the boys. Arsenal was a tough game and everyone was really down after that but we got our heads right and we have got the points from these three games.

“I haven’t found the [short time between games] too bad. I’ve found it alright. The boys dug deep and even at the end we were running about."

Quickly it is on to Everton, then. Can we see another Casey goal too, following his effort on Friday evening?

“Straight away I was off to celebrate,” he added, on his opening goal at Leeds. “I knew with was over the line. My first job is defending but also I want to get a goal for the team.

“We have a few days off and then we will get back in and recover and go again against Everton.”