George Earthy is enjoying the step up from U18s football to U21s with West Ham United.
The midfielder was full of positives after the young Hammers emerged with a 2-1 pre-season victory against Ebbsfleet United on Friday night, secured thanks to Armstrong Okoflex's first-half double.
Earthy replaced Keenan Appiah-Forson in the 75th minute, and the young midfielder helped his side to see out a testing conclusion to the match at the Kuflink Stadium.
“It was a hard-earned win,” Earthy smiled. “They’re a good side, they were set up well and were very organised. It was tough to break them down at times, they are a very strong team physically.
“We took the lead in the first half, but they came for us in the second half. I think collectively we defended really well and coped with the pressure which allowed us to secure the victory.”
Earthy enjoyed a successful 2021/22 season with Kevin Keen’s U18 side, with the young squad finishing 2nd in U18s Premier League South.
Having travelled to Portugal with the U21s, Earthy is feeling the benefits of the step-up in levels.
“U21s football is a little bit different to U18s,” Earthy began. “It’s a lot more physical so you have to think quicker than you would in an U18s game. Obviously, there’s a few of the other lads that were with the U18s last season, but I think we’re all starting to understand how to deal with it in different situations.
“The pure physicality of it is the biggest difference I’ve noticed. The sharpness of games, of the players, it’s just another step up really and I’m enjoying the challenge.”
Having signed a professional contract in June, the lifelong West Ham fan has enjoyed a positive summer. Earthy described it as a ‘dream come true’ to sign professionally with his boyhood club and he is looking to progress further over the upcoming season.
“The aim is to keep pushing and to keep developing. I want to push on here at West Ham and it was an unbelievable feeling to sign professionally this summer. All I can do now is keep working, keep pushing to get into the U23 side and when my opportunity does come it’s about putting in the performances.”
The midfielder also enjoyed making his first appearance for David Moyes' first team in last Tuesday's 2-1 win over Ipswich Town.
“It was an amazing appearance to come on in that game,” Earthy evaluated. “It was a very surreal moment, it’s something I have dreamed of my whole life. Just to be in and around the first team was great for me, but to actually come on was an unbelievable experience.”