West Ham United Academy graduate George Earthy marked his return from injury with a goal and an assist in the first half of our U21s’ vital Vertu Trophy win over Swindon Town on Tuesday night, that sealed progression to the knockout stages.
Having spent the last month on the sidelines, Earthy was handed competitive minutes in the Irons' third and final Southern Group D clash at the County Ground, as he makes a gradual return from a hamstring issue.
The 21-year-old played the first 45 minutes as our young Hammers went into the break 2-0 up, with Earthy playing a part in both goals, setting up the first and dispatching the second.
“We’d just won the ball back and [Josh] Landers did really well, dribbled forward and released it at the right time,” Earthy said, describing his second goal in as many games for the development side. “I went near post, just trying to hit the target.”
From the bench in the second half, Earthy watched his teammates hold firm under late pressure to seal the 3-2 victory over the joint-EFL League Two leading Robins.
The result lifts our U21s above Reading in the group, meaning that regardless of what happens in Swindon’s final fixture at MK Dons, West Ham have booked their place in the EFL Trophy knockout stages for the second time in three seasons.
“The recovery’s been good,” Earthy said after full-time. “This game was about getting back to match fitness.
“It was frustrating. I’d just come back from one injury and felt like I was getting somewhere, then the hamstring went. But to be back as quickly as I am, I’m really pleased.
“I was always only going to play 45 minutes, just to get minutes in my legs. Obviously I wanted to play the second half, but you can’t overdo it in your first game back!”
In a youthful West Ham side that included six players from last season’s U18s, Earthy, who spent last season on loan with Bristol City, was the most experienced player in the Hammers' line-up, and therefore proved valuable in terms of helping his team cope with Swindon’s direct style of football.
Although a full-time member of the first-team squad, Earthy has stepped back into the U21s set-up to aid his recovery from a couple of early-season injuries. In the three games he’s started, he has directly contributed five goals.
The latest two proved crucial to helping the U21s become the first Category One Academy to secure passage to the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy round of 32, and our No40 is now eyeing further success in the competition.
“It says a lot about the Academy,” Earthy reflected. “These games against men are different. You really notice the physical side. Being able to cope with it and still win is what matters most.
“A lot of teams can play nice football, but the reality is about results. Getting through the group is never easy, especially when clubs start fielding stronger sides later on. We’ve set a good standard by getting this far, and now the boys will want to push on.”
