Three West Ham United Academy players were in action over the weekend for their loan clubs, with Gideon Kodua scoring his first goal for EFL League One side Luton Town during their trip to newly-promoted Bradford City.
Kodua replaced Millenic Alli midway through the first half, after head coach Matt Bloomfield made a tactical change to avoid the full-back picking up a second yellow card. Strikes either side of half-time for Bradford disrupted the momentum the Hatters had built and, despite controlling much of the possession in the second half, they were unable to turn their dominance into goals. Kodua gave the visitors late hope when he rose highest to meet a Cohen Bramall cross, but his bullet header proved only a consolation as Luton slipped to their first league defeat of the season, 2-1.
Also in League One, Michael Forbes completed another 90 minutes for Northampton Town in a 2-0 defeat to leaders Stevenage, the only side in the third tier with a 100 per cent record after three games. Former West Ham Academy midfielder Dan Kemp put the hosts ahead midway through the second half, before turning provider for Gassan Ahadme. With just one point from their opening three matches, the Cobblers sit in the relegation zone ahead of Tuesday’s home game against Lincoln City.
In the National League, Mason Terry and Braintree Town suffered their first defeat of the campaign after opening with back-to-back wins. The 20-year-old goalkeeper made four saves at Hartlepool but was powerless to prevent the hosts’ two goals, an own-goal from teammate Aidan Francis-Clarke and a penalty converted by Alex Reid, which also saw George Langston sent off. Despite being reduced to ten men, the Iron still created chances, but John Akinde missed a penalty and two goals were ruled out for offside.
Elsewhere, Kaelan Casey, who impressed in midweek Carabao Cup action, was named among the substitutes as Swansea City recorded a 1-0 Championship win at home to Sheffield United.
