Two wins out of two for under-23s

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Leonard scores twice in 4-2 win against West Ham in Premier League 2.

Bruce Talbot

2021-08-20T19:02:00Z

Ed Turns joined Leyton Orient on loan in January.

Albion's under-23s came from behind to score four second-half goals and make it two wins from two in Premier League 2.

Trailing 1-0 at the break to a West Ham side who stuck six past Arsenal in their opening fixture, Andrew Crofts’ side were inspired in the second half of Friday night's encounter at the American Express Elite Performance Centre.

Defender Ed Turns scored from close range to level before a penalty by sub Evan Ferguson and two goals by Marc Leonard, either side of a second for the Hammers, ensured it was a great night for the hosts, who had opened their campaign with a win over Derby County on Monday.

It had been a different story for much of the first half. The visitors were quick to take control of the game and it was no surprise when they went in front in the 17th minute. Defender Harrison Ashby’s cross from the left found Mipo Odubeko 10 yards out and he produced a fine volley which flew past Tom MacGill.

The hosts gradually grew into the game and just before the break they created a couple of decent chances.

Evan Ferguson is available for the trip to Fulham.

Antef Tsoungui did well down the right and when his cross was only half-cleared, Leonard forced keeper Kristjan Hegyi into a save. The keeper was called upon again just before the break when Todd Miller tested him after good work down Albion’s left and Hegyi had to make an excellent stop.

Ferguson replaced Lorent Tolaj at the break and Albion had an early opportunity when Gary Dicker headed Jayson Molumby’s corner over. The hosts continued to press and they levelled on 59 minutes. Molumby’s right-wing corner was flicked on by Dicker and Turns poked the ball home unchallenged at the far post.

It was a deserved reward for a much brighter second-half performance and Leonard tested Hegyi with a powerful drive a few moments later. The momentum was with Albion and they went in front in the 70th minute when Miller was brought down just inside the box after a run down the left and substitute Ferguson blasted the penalty into the roof of the net.

Marc Leonard has impressed with Northampton so far this season.

It got even better as Albion stretched their lead in the 73rd minute when Miller again did well down the left and picked out Leonard, who placed his shot past the keeper.

Miller was rampant and both he and Dicker forced saves from Hegyi before the Hammers found a way back into the game thanks to a great strike from 25 yards by Thierry Rivers which flew past McGill.

But with six minutes left Leonard restored the two-goal lead. Substitute Marcus Ifill played him in at the end of another incisive attack and the Scotsman picked his spot with a low right-foot finish to make it 4-2 and complete an outstanding second-half fightback by Albion.

Albion: McGill, Nilsson, Packham, Turns, Tsoungui, Molumby (Hinchy 90), Peupion, Dicker, Leonard, Miller (Ifill 81), Tolaj (Ferguson 45). Subs: Desbois, Offiah. Booked: Ifill.