Match Report | U21s fall to stoppage time winner at Manchester ...

Manchester United U21s 1-0 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Leigh Sports Village, Friday 29 November 2024, 7pm GMT

For the second league away trip in a row, West Ham United U21s fell to a stoppage-time winner, as Ethan Ennis’ 96th-minute free-kick secured all three points for Manchester United.

The result saw the Red Devils leapfrog the Hammers in the Premier League 2 standings on goal difference, despite a solid performance from the visitors that deserved at least a share of the spoils.

The young Hammers matched their opponents for almost the entire contest and came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the dying moments, only for Sean Tarima’s late strike to be disallowed. It marked another frustrating evening for the development side, extending their losing streak to six matches.

The game started nervously for West Ham as a misunderstanding between Luizão and goalkeeper Fin Herrick in the third minute nearly gifted Dan Gore an early chance, but Junior Robinson’s quick intervention spared the Hammers’s blushes. The visitors found their rhythm soon after, drawing fouls in advanced positions to give Lewis Orford opportunities to test the Manchester United defence. Tyron Akpata had the Hammers’ first real chance in the 22nd minute, volleying narrowly wide after a half-cleared corner fell to him on the edge of the area.

Moments later, Akpata was in the thick of the action again, but saw what was the clearest chance up until that point go begging. The young midfielder opted to shoot rather than slip Orford in on goal, and saw his effort comfortably saved by Dermot Mee.

Manchester United also had their opportunities in an evenly matched half. Ethan Wheatley thought he had put the hosts ahead on 30 minutes, but his close-range effort from a corner was ruled out for offside. As half-time approached, the game lost some of its tempo, with fouls disrupting the flow, and the sides went into the break level.

The second half began with Manchester United on the front foot as Malachi Sharpe had a close range attempt blocked with Wheatley failing to convert the rebound. West Ham responded well, with Kamarai Swyer and Adiele combining to create dangerous moments down the left flank. Orford came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute, volleying an Adiele cross off the inside of the post, with the ball somehow staying out.

The hosts, however, grew stronger in the closing stages. Substitute Jack Moorhouse caused problems, and Louis Jackson went close with a flicked header. The Hammers remained resolute defensively, and Brad Dolaghan nearly stole the points for West Ham in the 85th minute, only to see his effort flash just wide of the far post, after being slipped in by Robinson.

With five minutes of added time, both teams pushed for a winner, but it was the hosts who struck the decisive blow. In the 96th minute, after Moorhouse had deemed to have been fouled on the edge of the area, Ennis curled the resulting free-kick into the far corner. West Ham thought they had salvaged a dramatic equaliser when Tarima bundled home from Orford’s late free-kick, but the referee adjudged Luizão to have fouled the goalkeeper, sparking protests from the visitors.

It was a bitter end for the young Hammers, who once again showed promise but lacked the clinical edge to secure a result. Fortunately for them, they will have the opportunity to put things right when they return to Premier League International Cup action on Tuesday evening against Lyon at Rush Green Stadium.

West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Tarima, Luizão, Mayers (Battrum HT), Robinson, Orford ©, Akpata, Adiele, Ajala (Dolaghan 80)

Subs not used: Awesu (GK), Rigge, Fawunmi

Booked: Tarima, Akpata, Orford

Manchester United U21s: Mee, Kamason, Jackson ©, Kingdon, Murray (Devaney HT), Amass (Missin 64), Sharpe (Biancheri 80), Rowe, Gore (Moorhouse HT), Ennis, Wheatley
Subs not used: Myles (GK)

Goals: Ennis 90+6

Booked: Gore

While disappointed with the late goal and a disallowed equaliser, lead coach Mark Robson praised his young players for their work ethic, sticking to the game plan, and overall performance, describing it as one of the team’s best of the season.

He said: “I’m very frustrated because I thought we were the better team overall. The boys executed the game plan exactly as we asked, and their work ethic was outstanding throughout. It was a performance to be proud of.

“Desperately disappointed to have conceded so late, but even after that, we didn’t give up. We thought we’d equalised right at the end, but the referee ruled it out for what he said was contact on the goalkeeper. Honestly, I thought it was a bit soft.

“In terms of how the team played together and applied themselves, this was one of our best performances of the season.”