Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Keys Park, Monday 3 October 2025, 7pm GMT
West Ham United U21s extended their unbeaten Premier League 2 run to six matches with a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in an end-to-end contest at Keys Park.
It was an open game throughout, with the young Hammers showing flashes of the attacking quality that has defined their season so far, while Krisztián Hegyi delivered an outstanding goalkeeping display to keep the scores level in the second half.
Wolves began brightly, controlling possession, but it was West Ham who created the clearer chances in the early exchanges. Preston Fearon’s precise first-time pass released Callum Marshall, who squared for Josh Ajala at the back post, but he was unable to convert for his third goal in three games since returning from injury. The young Hammers were growing into the game, pressing well and linking up confidently through midfield.
The home side, however, took the lead midway through the first half. After a blocked effort on the edge of the box, the ball fell kindly for Tawanda Chirewa, who struck a fine volley beyond Hegyi to put Wolves ahead.
West Ham looked for a response before the break, and came close through Ryan Battrum, whose low effort drifted just wide after neat interplay involving George Earthy and Marshall. Ajala then forced a save from Wolves goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin with a tight-angled strike, but the Hammers went in trailing at half-time.
Greg Lincoln’s side returned from the interval and despite conceding some big chances, began to assert themselves. After Hegyi produced an important early stop to deny Enso González, West Ham pushed forward and were rewarded just before the hour mark.
Captain Ryan Battrum intercepted high up the pitch to spark the move, with Earthy, Fearon and Tyron Akpata combining neatly before Akpata threaded a clever pass into Emeka Adiele. The forward’s first attempt was blocked, but he reacted quickest to turn in his own rebound, his tenth goal contribution of the season, bringing West Ham level.
Adiele reaches double figures in goals and assists for our U21s this season 🔥
All square at Wolves 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Y9eF7snpKk— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 3, 2025
Wolves responded strongly, forcing Hegyi into a string of superb saves. The Hungarian denied Chirewa one-on-one twice in quick succession and then spread himself brilliantly to block González as the hosts pressed for a second.
As the game opened up, both sides chased a winner. Wolves spurned several chances, including a close-range miss from Ethan Sutherland, before Hegyi again came to the rescue, tipping over Dani Ángel's shot and diverting Fletcher Holman’s curling effort onto the post.
There was late drama in stoppage time when Adiele was tripped inside the box, earning West Ham a penalty. Marshall stepped up but saw his effort saved by Benjamin. The young striker nearly made amends moments later, racing onto a long ball only to be denied again by the Wolves goalkeeper.
With the game on a knife edge and both sides missing opportunities to take all three points, both teams were left frustrated with a share of the spoils. For our U21s, it extends their unbeaten run to six games in Premier League 2. In fact, our young Hammers have only lost once in their last ten games in all competitions. They return to action on Friday when they host Liverpool at Rush Green Stadium.
Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s: Benjamin, White, Olagunju, Okuduwa, Pond © (Lochead 69), Bradbury, González (Edozie 76), Rawlings, Mané (Ángel 77), Chirewa (Holman 77), Sutherland
Sub not used: Abbey GK)
Goal: Chirewa 23
West Ham United U21s: Hegyi, Briggs, Colau (Brown 88), Oyebade, Battrum ©, Fearon, Akpata (Medine 67), Adiele, Ajala (Landers 88), Earthy (Caliste 62), Marshall
Subs not used: Wooster GK),
Goal: Adiele 58
Booked: Colau, Caliste, Medine
Lincoln: A fair result in the end
Since taking temporary charge of the U21s, Head of Academy Coaching and Player Development Greg Lincoln and his coaching staff have gone five games unbeaten. Another dogged performance from his young side, Lincoln acknowledged that, after a couple of consecutive wins, this time around, a share of the spoils was perhaps a fair result.
“We were just missing the final bit on the evening," he said. "We would have liked to have had maybe a little bit more control. I felt we started to get that in the second half. The game was very open and we had some good opportunities, so did they. I'd say probably on the face of it, if you look at the chances, it was probably a fair result.
“I thought we showed real character. I felt that the boys had a real great togetherness and resilience together. I think that came out in abundance.”
Adding to the young Hammers’ firepower in attack, George Earthy continued his gradual return from a hamstring injury picking up an hour of competitive football, while Callum Marshall also kept his match fitness up by playing the full game at Keys Park.
“It's been fantastic for us to have the senior players with us. George [Earthy] returning from injury and Callum Marshall getting minutes today. They really personify those Academy values.
“Both of them have played senior football. I think their experience tells. You can see that. They helped to galvanise the group as well.
“It was a collective effort. We talk about being efficient and effective in and out possession as a team. You need absolutely everybody, so I think we've done that well.
“[Krisztián] Hegyi made some great saves at times, so all credit to him. I think it was just that doggedness, that resilience to not give them anything, minimise their opportunities as best we could and deny them when they did.”
