Lewis Orford believes West Ham United U18s can be satisfied with their 6-1 victory over Viitorul Cluj.
The young Irons got their involvement in the 2022 Zlatý Kahan off to a near-perfect start on Tuesday evening, recovering from conceding an early goal to score three in the first half through Dan Rigge, George Earthy and Callum Marshall, and another three in the second period from Gideon Kodua, Patrick Kelly and Blaise Uwandji.
Midfielder Orford feels the Hammers showed good character to come back and claim such an emphatic victory in testing weather conditions against the Romanian side.
“It’s a good start to the tournament,” Orford told whufc.com. “We started the game a bit slow and we went 1-0 down, but after that we gave a good reaction. We got six goals, so it’s a good win and a good start to the competition.
“Dan Rigge got a terrific goal from outside the box, as did Callum Marshall, and we also scored a couple of really good team goals. They were well-worked goals, so we can be happy with that too.”
Orford and his teammates were aware of the test Cluj would pose, and were anticipating a tough game against their European opposition in Ostrava. The playmaker says the Irons can take heart from their efforts.
“I think Cluj posed a difficult challenge. The big thing was the number of fouls they were committing. It was a rough game at times, and a physical test, but we dealt with it well. We didn’t lose our heads and we stayed calm.
“We dealt with their pressure well. Especially in the heat. I don’t feel like they got a clear chance after they got their goal, and we controlled the game well in the second half. We kept the ball away from them and can be happy with how we played.”
With the 2022 Zlatý Kahan permitting participating clubs to use rolling substitutes throughout each game, all 20 of West Ham’s travelling outfield players were given game time in Tuesday’s match, which allowed Orford to play alongside some new teammates for the first time.
“It was definitely a good opportunity,” he reflected. “Especially with a few new boys coming in, it’s a great way to get to learn how they play and mix with them more. Last season, we had some of the U17s up with the U18s, and it’s a great way to get us all used to each other.”
The U18s face an exceptionally quick turnaround, with their second Group A fixture against Banik Ostrava to come on Wednesday afternoon. The winner of the match will finish top of the group.
With Kevin Keen’s side facing four games across five days in the Czech Republic, Orford knows recovery is crucial to success for the team.
“We have to recover well now. We have games back-to-back, which is tough, and then you add in the heat as well. We have to get the rest we need.
“It’s going to be four games in five days for us. Recovery is crucial. We need to eat well, stay hydrated, prepare right and get the rest we need before we go again.”