West Ham United U21s v Chelsea U21s
Premier League 2, Rush Green Stadium, Saturday 8 October, 4pm
A busy October schedule continues for West Ham United U21s at home to Chelsea on Saturday.
Mark Robson’s U21s are back in Premier League 2 Division 1 action after a midweek defeat to EFL League One outfit MK Dons in Papa Johns Trophy action.
The U21s will welcome their Blues counterparts to Rush Green Stadium on Saturday 8 October, with kick-off set for 4pm.
Read on for all you need to know about the development team’s next league fixture…
Tickets…
West Ham United is delighted to confirm that fans are once again permitted to attend U21s fixtures this campaign, with admittance free for Season Ticket Holders. Proof of Season Ticket status must be shown upon entry to Rush Green.
Tickets can also be purchased on the door for Saturday’s Premier League 2 fixture. Adults can get their tickets for £5 while U16s can attend for £1.
Fans should also note that parking is available on a first come, first serve basis. Gates will open an hour before kick-off at Rush Green Stadium.
Travel…
Fans wishing to attend Saturday’s U21s fixture should note that parking at Rush Green Stadium, at the West Ham United Training Ground, is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed.
The postcode for Rush Green Stadium is RM7 0LU.
Fans wishing to utilise public transport can make use of the Dagenham East Underground Station, on the District Line and Hammersmith & City Line, which is a mile-and-a-half from the training ground.
Romford Station – on the London Overground, Elizabeth Line and Greater Anglia service - is also a mile-and-half from the Ground, with buses running regularly from the station to Rush Green.
Supporters should also note that industrial action is anticipating to affect the London Overground and Greater Anglia services on Saturday, making rail travel difficult.
Supporters are advised to check their journeys before travel, with resources such as TfL's Journey Planner or the TfL Go app helping to plan your journey.
Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website to plan their journey if traveling on the rail network.
How To Follow…
Unfortunately, due to broadcast regulations, we are unable to live stream Saturday’s U21s fixture at home to Chelsea.
Live match updates, as is happens, will be available through our live blog coverage at whufc.com. Our live blog coverage will begin an hour before kick-off, at 3pm.
Full highlights from the game, as well as reaction from lead coach Mark Robson and the squad, will be available on YouTube and the Club website on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Team News…
Divin Mubama is available for the U21s in Premier League 2 action once again after serving a three-match suspension.
Goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi has been absent for the young Hammers in the last two matches, with Brian Kinnear taking the starting XI spot, and it remains to be seen if the Hungarian is available for Chelsea’s visit on Saturday.
Ollie Scarles could play for the U21s again after an impressive breakthrough into the development side in recent weeks. He and Callum Marshall have each started for Mark Robson’s side in the last couple of games while Kaelan Casey and Michael Forbes of the U18s have both come off the bench.
Opposition...
Sat directly in the middle of the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, it has been a solid – if mildly inconsistent start to the campaign for Chelsea.
Two wins and three draws from seven league outings so far has the Blues in seventh, although the west London side are unbeaten in their last four league matches.
It is already setting up to be a better Premier League 2 campaign for Chelsea though, who narrowly avoided relegation from Division 1 on the final day of the 2021/22 season. A 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur saw them stay up by one point, at the expense of Leeds United.
Central to their improvement has been the form of midfielder Omari Hutchinson, who re-joined the Blues from Arsenal in the summer. The 18-year-old has three goals and two assists in nine U21s matches this season.
Harvey Vale has also been in goalscoring form, netting three times, while seven players have each found the back of the net twice for Chelsea this campaign.
The Blues are now led by former AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson, who took charge of the Chelsea development side in May.
