Cheltenham Town v West Ham United U21

KO: 19:30

07/11/2023

Whaddon Road

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Cheltenham Town v West Ham United U21s
Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Tuesday 7 November, The Completely-Suzuki Stadium, 7.30pm GMT

West Ham United U21s continue their Bristol Street Motors Trophy - formerly EFL Trophy - campaign with a trip to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday.

The Hammers, who booked their place in the last 32 with a 1-0 against Newport County a week ago, will strive to make it three wins from three matches in the competition.

The U21s would book the top spot of Group H with a win and will take confidence from a current eleven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Robinson: We must continue this unbeaten momentum

Junior Robinson has challenged himself and his teammates to keep the Hammers’ unbeaten run going next time out.

Impressive in the win over Liverpool, the wing-back is well aware of the test to come against an EFL League One outfit.

He said: “We are happy that we got another clean sheet against Liverpool as well as the win. That’s three clean sheets in three games.

“I thought we played well. We pressed them well and we were clinical in attack.

“Everyone wants to win the game on Tuesday…and come top of the group. The fixture list has been tough but that brings everyone together. When it gets tough we work even harder.”

With the two midfielders in Steve Potts' 3-5-2 sitting deep, the Irons wing-backs are given the freedom to push on. A role Robinson is not only enjoying but thriving in.

He added: “That position suits me. But Cal is always going to score us goals so if we do our job [of creating chances] and he does his, we’re going to score goals. It is like a front five almost, which suits our strengths."

How did we do in the competition last year?

Since entering for the first time in 2016/17, when a 17-year-old Declan Rice started our inaugural tie at Coventry City, the furthest the U21s have gone in the competition was the Southern section round of 16, which the young Irons reached in 2017/18 and 2020/21.

Last season, West Ham United U21s finished on six points alongside the top two in Group C but, even after memorable wins over Cheltenham Town and Walsall, were eliminated from the 2022/23 edition on goal difference.

How we have done in the EFL trophy in 2023/24?

This is our final group stage match after wins over Bristol Rovers and Newport County.

As per competition rules, West Ham will have played all three group matches away from home, with the top two in each of the 16 groups going through to the knockout stages.

Tuesday 19 September - Bristol Rovers 1-3 West Ham United U21s (Marshall 2, Earthy)

Tuesday 31 October - Newport County 0-1 West Ham United U21s (Kodua)

Tuesday 7 November - Cheltenham Town (A), 7.30pm

Last Time Out

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.

Tickets

West Ham United supporters have been allocated seats in the Colin Farmer Stand. Entry is via Gate 5, located on the corner of Wymans Road and Whaddon Road.

For more details on tickets click here.

How to Follow

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

Cheltenham Town 0-4 West Ham United U21s
Bristol Street Motors Trophy, Tuesday 7 November, The Completely-Suzuki Stadium, 7.30pm GMT

Another win for West Ham United U21s arrived at Cheltenham Town as our impressive start to the 2023/24 season continued.

The U21s made it three wins from three matches in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as a 4-0 victory played out on Tuesday evening.

Ollie Scarles opened the scoring with 23 minutes played, before Divin Mubama struck just a minute later.

The Hammers extended their two-goal lead with a third in just ten first-half minutes, as George Earthy’s deflected shot put the game beyond the well-beaten hosts.

Chances came for more goals in the second half as Callum Marshall, Mubama and Dan Chesters both went close to adding a fourth.

That goal would arrive, though. Marshall added his 18th goal of the season ten minutes from time as he finished a sweeping attacking move.

The Irons, who have scored nine goals in their last three games, extended a current unbeaten run to 12 games.

West Ham United U21s: Anang, Chesters, Johnson, Casey (Luizao 65), Forbes © (Laing 70), Scarles, Orford (Moore 81) Kelly (Clayton 81), Earthy (Kodua 70), Mubama, Marshall
Subs not used: Abraham (GK), Tarima

Orford credits togetherness for an impressive run of form!

Lewis Orford was delighted with the U21s showing, as they topped Group H with three wins from three.

Orford, alongside midfield duo Patrick Kelly, has been a key part of the U21s’ success over the past few weeks. Against Cheltenham Town, he was again impressive.

“I put the run we are on down to hard work and togetherness," Orford stated. "We work so hard with each other in training. There’s criticism but it is always constructive.

“It’s 12 games unbeaten, which looks good for us. But we just want to kick on and get as far as we can in the league and in this trophy too.

“It’s a big achievement being into the knockouts when you are playing against league teams and professional players. I think we just need to push on and focus on the next game.

“[The last 32 match] will be a tough one, especially when you are playing other teams that are qualified out of the group. Hopefully, we can go as far as possible!”

Orford praised the U21s tactical set-up and admits he is enjoying playing in a side that is always looking to be on the front foot.

“It’s good to play in a team that is always on the ball and looking to attack,” he added. “It’s the best type of team to be in as a midfielder.

“I like keeping the ball and pushing the team forward. I don’t like playing backwards so I like to be positive and go forward when we need to.”