MK Dons 1-5 West Ham United U21s
EFL Trophy Southern Group D, Stadium MK, Tuesday 16 September, 7pm BST
West Ham United U21s recorded their joint-biggest win in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening, running out emphatic 5-1 winners at Stadium MK.
It marked the first time the young Hammers have scored five in the competition, surpassing 2023/24 4-0 victories over Cheltenham Town and Colchester United.
First-year professional Preston Fearon, who made his senior debut in the Premier League Summer Series in July against Manchester United, netted a first-half brace, his first goals at U21s level. An own goal and a Callum Marshall double added to an impressive scoreline which sees the young Hammers shoot to the top of Southern Group D.
The evening began with a surprise name on the teamsheet, as Łukasz Fabiański returned between the sticks for his first appearance since signing a new one-year deal. His experience behind a young backline proved valuable in a game where the Hammers showed great maturity in both their attacking and defensive play.
Academy graduates Freddie Potts, George Earthy and Marshall were also handed their first competitive minutes of the season and were instrumental to all of West Ham’s excellent attacking moves.
The opener arrived after just 12 minutes, and it was one to savour. Mohamadou Kanté threaded a precise pass through to Earthy, who drove into the box and backheeled into the path of Fearon. The 18-year-old midfielder rifled home first time into the bottom corner to claim his first goal for the U21s.
Fearon doubled his tally before the interval. Again it was Kanté at the heart of the move, driving down the left and delivering a low ball across goal for the forward to sweep home with confidence. West Ham added a third just before the break when an Emeka Adiele cross caused panic in the MK Dons box, resulting in an unfortunate own goal from captain Laurence Maguire.
The hosts pulled one back early in the second half from the penalty spot, Aaron Collins converting after a contentious decision against Ryan Battrum. But the response from Mark Robson’s side was immediate. Adiele once again burst forward down the flank and picked out Callum Marshall, who flicked the ball beyond Connal Trueman to restore the three-goal cushion.
Marshall then struck again in stoppage time to complete the scoring, finishing off a well-worked set piece to seal a resounding 5-1 victory in front of 130 delighted travelling supporters.
Their biggest-ever goal tally in the competition sees them shoot to the top of their group, a position they also occupy in the National League Cup. A huge confidence boost ahead of their return to Premier League 2 action on Friday when they face newcomers Birmingham City.
Milton Keynes Dons: Trueman, Tripp, Sinclair-Linton (Thompson-Summers 72), Maguire © (Domi 62), Mellish, Collar, Lewis-Burgess, Troso (Guzynski 83), Leko, Collins, Medwynter
Subs not used: Finch (GK), Kelly, Singh-Hurditt, Burke
Booked: Lewis-Burgess Mellish
Goal: Collins (pen) 67
West Ham United U21s: Fabiański, Golambeckis © (Colau 90+5), Mayers, Clayton, Battrum, Kanté, Potts, Earthy (Caliste 68), Fearon (Medine 90), Marshall
Subs not used: Hooper (GK), Oyebade, Akpata, Sowunmi
Booked: Potts
Goals: Fearon 12, 39, Maguire OG 43, Marshall 71, 90+8
Robson: That’s exactly what hard work gives you
Lead Coach Mark Robson praised his side’s performance after a five-star showing at Stadium MK, describing the display as one of the best since he took charge of the U21s.
“The lads were really on it tonight,” he reflected. “We played some excellent football and I thought we looked a really good outfit.”
Robson also highlighted the contribution of returning players, as well as the work rate that underpinned the result.
“It was great to have a couple of the older lads back in and getting some valuable game time. Callum [Marshall]’s work ethic is second to none, he just never stops working, and I said to the boys at the end, that’s exactly what hard work gives you.
“Freddie [Potts], George [Earthy], Callum, they were all excellent, and I thought Lucas [Fabiański] really helped us. He was calm on the ball, made a couple of very good saves, and gave the younger players around him real confidence.”
“I don’t think it was a penalty and I felt we deserved a clean sheet. But overall, the defending from the front right the way through was top quality.”
The result also underlined the progress members of the group have made since a 2-0 defeat at Stadium MK two years ago, which cost the young side a place in the knockout stages on goal difference.
“You look at the likes of Call, George and Regan [Clayton] a couple of years down the line, after loan experiences in the Championship and League One, you can really see their qualities now. They did it properly tonight. They worked for the team and showed how much they’ve grown.
“In general, we clicked. We gelled. Some of our goals were top drawer and the football throughout was really pleasing. Overall, I thought it was an excellent performance.”
