West Ham United’s Under-21s staged a stunning comeback to beat EFL League One side Bristol Rovers 3-1 in the EFL Trophy to record their sixth successive win in all competitions on Tuesday night.
With the rain falling in Bristol, the hosts took the lead at the Memorial Stadium but it was all West Ham when Sam Finley found the bottom corner from inside the area in the 24th minute.
The development side had chances to equalize through Patrick Kelly, Callum Marshall and Gideon Kodua in the first half, but after the break the talented bunch showed their class to claim their second win in five days.
The comeback started when Dan Chesters won a penalty in the 70th minute.
And a second quickly followed as Kodua found Teran, who quickly countered with a smart finish from inside the area.
But the Hammers weren’t done there and had goals to spare in the third, although Joe Anang maintained the lead with some brilliant stops.
With the game at a standstill, Marshall found the net from close range and slotted the ball between the keeper’s legs to seal the victory that takes the U21s top of Group H in the EFL Trophy Southern Section.
West Ham United U21: Anang, Chesters (Robinson 90 1), Laing, Casey ©, Luizao, Scarles, Orford, Kelly, Earthy (Moore 90 4), Marshall, Kodua (Clayton 90 4)
Ekstere: Knightbridge (GK), Forbes, Battrum, Nevers
Koloroj: Marshall Pencil 70, 90 3 Tera 79
Rezervita: Robinson
The equalizer was the key to the game. As soon as it went in, our team’s belief skyrocketed.
– They had chances when we went 2-1 up, but we also had chances. They’re a good team but I know we’re a good team too, I just wanted them to go and prove it – and they did very well against one of the teams in the league.
Potts added: “It’s a great competition for the under-21s and a great experience for them to face League One teams.
“The beauty of this competition is that it gives us three game weeks. And if you’re going to play in our first team or go out on loan, you have to get used to it and get on with it.
“It’s another test. They have to come back from a tough game tonight and Fiday and try again against Southampton.
