Greg Lincoln’s West Ham United Under-21s again made very short shrift of another senior outfit on Tuesday night with George Earthy, Lewis Orford and Preston Fearon in outstanding form.
That the Hammers have made their National League Cup fixtures look so straightforward this season is, of course, no big surprise.
While securing their spot in the tournament’s quarter finals, West Ham United have also recorded the joint-most goals in the competition. Those 13 strikes have come against Woking, Sutton, Truro City and now, as of last night, Aldershot Town.
George Earthy scored a glorious solo goal against Truro, and a man who won Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year award in 2024/25 was on target again versus fifth-tier opposition. The England Under-21 international was one of three Hammers starlets who started on Tuesday night, having spent last season on loan at an EFL outfit.
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He, Callum Marshall and Lewis Orford certainly looked a cut above. Stevenage terminated Orford’s loan spell ahead of schedule in November – a promotion-chasing side were not able to accommodate a youngster who arrived late in the summer window – but surely there will be a host of League One and League Two clubs calling come January.
West Ham United batter Aldershot with Lewis Orford outstanding
Orford bagged a hat-trick of assists, including one to set up Josh Ajala early doors.
Ajala fired West Ham to Premier League Cup glory at Under-18 level in May. The 19-year-old is starting to make his mark now with Lincoln’s Under-21s. After a fine save denied West Ham a second on the back of a gorgeous combination from Ajala and Earthy, Orford’s fizzing cross was converted home from close range by skipper Airidas Golambeckis.
Marshall rattled the post before Orford went one better, drilling into the corner from the edge of the box.
Orford ended the night with a goal and three assists, while Preston Fearon set up two himself. One for Earthy – the stylish number ten took his time and rolled into the corner in sub-zero fashion – and one for Ryan Battrum, the full-back converting with close range to cap a 5-1 win in stoppage time.
“There was some really good attacking play today and you saw that with the goals,” said a delighted Lincoln, speaking to the club’s official website. “I thought we really did show our attacking style and all credit to the boys for the way that they applied themselves, the qualities that they’ve shown.
“For me, I see that regularly in training, but it’s great when it transfers to the match and the pitch like it did today.
“I thought we performed really well against senior opponents, against a really well coached team. John Coleman [Aldershot’s veteran manager] is someone who’s a really experienced manager, someone I’ve got a lot of respect for. I think going up against senior opponents is fantastic for the boys.”
George Earthy will hope to be involved to West Ham face Fulham
Captain Jarrod Bowen feels West Ham have a ‘special’ player in Preston Fearon. The twinkle-toed teenager certainly strutted his stuff against Aldershot, a performance so dazzling it begs the question of when a competitive debut or an EFL loan spell will come his way.
Orford, meanwhile, most certainly deserves another shot at the men’s game.
Ahead of Fulham’s trip to the London Stadium on December 27th, Nuno hinted at a return for Earthy while Golambeckis and Mohamadou Kante may also be involved.
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“I keep talking about bridging that gap into senior football, men’s football, and you could see that with their direct play in terms of attacking and their set plays, how organised they were.
“It was a real challenge for the players and I think it’s a challenge that the players relish, playing in the ground, playing under lights, with a decent crowd in the stadium.
“These are all brilliant experiences for the boys that are ultimately going to help equip them with the skills to thrive in senior football.”
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