West Ham’s U21 side won 2-0 away at Norwich on Friday to go top of the PL2. The young Hammers have now won their last three league matches.

Level on points with Tottenham prior to the match, West Ham’s U21’s got off to the perfect start with a goal inside the first ten minutes, with Lewis Orford putting the Hammers ahead.

George Earthy, who assisted the Hammers opening goal, turned goalscorer thirty minutes in, after his long range effort flew into the top corner to put West Ham 2-0 up. A handful of players from the U18’s, including: Josh Ajala, Dan Rigge, Emeka Adiele and Ezra Mayers got valuable minutes under their belt, whilst 16 year old defender Airidas Golambeckis made his first start at U21 level.

The Hammers had a number of chances in the second half to extend their lead, Lewis Orford’s free kick went just over the bar, Adiele had an effort that went just wide and Callum Marshall hit the post. The two first half goals from Orford and Earthy helped the U21’s secure their 13th win in the league this season.

The U21’s have one last league fixture to play this season, which is at home to Leicester on the 26th of April, before the knockout tournament begins in May which will decide the league champions. West Ham’s U21 side have already sealed their place in the PL2 knockouts.

Speaking after the game to the club’s Official Website, there were a lot of positives to take for U21 assistant coach Gerard Prenderville. Speaking to the club’s website after the game, Prenderville said: “It’s a great game for the lads to play at the stadium (Carrow Road) in front of over 2,300 fans. I thought the boys’ application was good in what has been a three game week.”

Prenderville went on to add: “We’re really, really pleased with the clean sheet, as it’s been a while since we last had one. The two goals we scored were two really good team goals, and we are probably disappointed we didn’t score a few more.”