West Ham United U21s 0-3 Stevenage
Pre-season Match, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 22 July 2022
West Ham United's U21s suffered a 3-0 pre-season defeat by Stevenage at Rush Green Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Hammers, who handed a start to over-age player Angelo Ogbonna as the Italy international continues his return following a long-term knee injury, put in a battling performance but were unable to break down a well drilled Stevenage side.
The visitors started the match on the front foot, but were unable to capitalise on a strong opening ten minutes as the young Irons showed admirable defensive resilience against their EFL League Two opponents.
Despite West Ham improving as the first half went on, it was Stevenage who opened the scoring before the break as a result of a well worked set piece routine through Terence Vancooten.
Despite a much better start to the second half, the hosts were unable to find an equaliser and Elliott List’s second half-brace was enough to seal a three-goal victory for the Boro.
Stevenage were keen to make a fast start and registered a shot on goal inside the opening minute. After intercepting a misplaced pass, Jordan Roberts raced onto the ball and his long-range strike was comfortably saved by Nathan Trott (pictured).
Stevenage continued to push for an early opener as moments later former Gillingham man List found space in behind West Ham’s back line. The winger was unable to capitalise, though, and smashed the ball over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
The next big chance also fell to Stevenage, as Roberts made his way into the West Ham penalty area and attempted to dribble the ball around Trott. The West Ham shot stopper was on hand to make a goal saving challenge to keep the score line at 0-0.
After a testing opening ten minutes, the home side began to grow into the game. Harrison Ashby played a superb cross field pass to Armstrong Okoflex, who had found space on the left. The winger drove at the Stevenage defence, showing skill and strength to manoeuvre past three defenders and cut inside, but his low shot was well saved.
Despite Mark Robson’s side showing improvements, Stevenage took the lead in the 34th minute. Luke Norris flicked the ball on from a free-kick from deep and Guyana international defender Vancooten lashed the ball into the bottom corner on the volley.
West Ham made a much brighter start to the second half, creating their best chance of the match so far. After a long period of possession, Keenan Forson threaded the ball through Stevenage’s defence to Divin Mubama. The striker took aim and fired but his effort was well saved.
Despite West Ham’s fast start to the second half, Stevenage doubled their lead just before the hour mark. List picked the ball up on the left flank and cut inside before curling the ball into the top right-hand corner.
List secured his second and Stevenage’s third in the 72nd minute. The lively No7 was found by superb pass over the top of the defence and smashed the bouncing ball into the net to put the result beyond doubt.
Despite some much better periods of possession in the closing stages, Robson’s side were unable to create another clear cut opportunity and the match concluded with the Stevenage victorious.
U23s: Trott, Ashby (Peake 77), Baptiste (Clayton 75), Ogbonna (Laing 64), Greenidge, Forson, Ekwah, Chesters (Swyer 46), Nevers, Okoflex (Coddington 75), Mubama (Odubeko 75)