The National League Cup 2025/2026 erupted yesterday, with Matchday 1 and now we summarise tonight’s matches on August 13th 2025, delivering a thrilling mix of high-scoring battles, late heroics, and a moment of concern due to an injury.
Featuring 32 teams—16 from the National League and 16 Premier League 2 sides—competing across four groups at National League home grounds, the opening round set an electrifying tone. Here’s a detailed look at the results and key moments based on the provided matches.
Group A: Rochdale Edge Thriller, Tamworth Match Suspended
Rochdale 2-1 Burnley U21
Venue: Spotland Stadium, Rochdale
Half Time: 0-0
Scorers: Rochdale – Ian Henderson (57′), Levi Amantchi (78′); Burnley U21 – Kian McMahon-Brown (75′)
Rochdale kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Burnley U21. After a goalless first half, Henderson broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. McMahon-Brown equalized in the 75th minute, but Amantchi’s 78th-minute strike clinched three crucial points for Rochdale, establishing them as early Group A contenders.
Tamworth 0-0 Manchester United U21 (Match Suspended)
Venue: The Lamb Ground, Tamworth
Half Time: 0-0
Scorers: None
The Group A clash between Tamworth and Manchester United U21 was abandoned at halftime due to a head injury to United’s Sekou Kone. The National League Natter wishes Sekou a speedy recovery, and we await updates on the rescheduling of this fixture, adding uncertainty to Group A’s standings.
Group B: Forest Green Rovers Power Through
Forest Green Rovers 3-1 West Bromwich Albion U21
Venue: The New Lawn, Nailsworth
Half Time: 1-0
Scorers: Forest Green Rovers – Juan Marquez (29′), Tom Knowles (60′), Tyrese Conteh (86′); West Bromwich Albion U21 – Ollie Bostock (66′)
Forest Green Rovers made a strong statement in Group B with a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion U21. Marquez opened the scoring in the 29th minute, giving Rovers a 1-0 lead at halftime. Knowles doubled the advantage in the 60th minute, and although Bostock pulled one back in the 66th minute, Conteh’s 86th-minute goal sealed a convincing victory.
Group C: Truro City’s Thriller, West Ham’s Late Surge
Truro City 3-2 Southampton U21
Venue: Truro City Sports Hub
Half Time: 2-1
Scorers: Truro City – Tyler Love-Holmes (7′), Luke Jephcott (38′), Dan Johnson-Fisher (85′); Southampton U21 – Tyler Love-Holmes (20′, own goal), Will Armitage (69′)
Truro City delivered a pulsating 3-2 victory over Southampton U21. Love-Holmes scored for Truro in the 7th minute but gave Southampton an own goal in the 20th minute. Jephcott restored Truro’s lead in the 38th minute, making it 2-1 at halftime. Armitage leveled the score in the 69th minute, but Johnson-Fisher’s 85th-minute strike secured the win, highlighting Truro’s attacking flair.
Woking 0-2 West Ham United U21
Venue: Kingfield Stadium, Woking
Half Time: 0-0
Scorers: Woking – None; West Ham United U21 – Lewis Orford (90′), Moussa Kanté (90’+7)
West Ham United U21 clinched a dramatic 2-0 win over Woking. The match was scoreless at halftime, but Woking’s challenge faltered when Ashford received two yellow cards in the 50th minute. Orford’s 90th-minute goal and Kanté’s 97th-minute strike sealed a late victory for West Ham.
Group D: Newcastle U21 Outlast Gateshead in Seven-Goal Epic
Gateshead 3-4 Newcastle United U21
Venue: Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead
Half Time: 2-1
Scorers: Gateshead – Kofi Adom (11′), Harry Chapman (21′), Connor Bone (49′); Newcastle United U21 – Shaun Neave (15′), Kyle Fitzgerald (70′), Kian Richardson (82′, own goal), Cathal Heffernan (90′)
Newcastle United U21 edged Gateshead in a 4-3 thriller. Adom put Gateshead ahead in the 11th minute, but Neave equalized in the 15th minute. Chapman restored Gateshead’s lead in the 21st minute, making it 2-1 at halftime. Bone extended the lead in the 49th minute, but Newcastle rallied with Fitzgerald’s 70th-minute goal, Richardson’s 82nd-minute own goal, and Heffernan’s 90th-minute winner.
Key Takeaways and What’s Next
Matchday 1 of the National League Cup 2025/2026 delivered a feast of goals, late drama, and individual brilliance, tempered by concern for Sekou Kone’s injury in the suspended Tamworth vs. Manchester United U21 match.
National League sides Rochdale, Forest Green Rovers, and Truro City showcased their ability to compete with PL2 talent, while West Ham United U21 and Newcastle United U21 demonstrated Premier League academy depth with late heroics.
The Gateshead vs. Newcastle U21 seven-goal epic and Truro City’s thrilling win over Southampton U21 stole the headlines.
With the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages, these results set the stage for intense battles. The suspended match in Group A leaves questions pending its rescheduling. Will Rochdale and Forest Green maintain their strong starts? Can Newcastle U21 and West Ham U21 build on their dramatic wins? Share your thoughts on Facebook or X (formally Twitter), and join us in wishing Sekou Kone a swift recovery. Stay tuned for more National League Cup action!
