AFC Bournemouth U23s 0-3 West Ham United U21s
Pre-season Match, Canford Arena, Tuesday 19 July 2022
West Ham United U21 continued their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth U23s on Tuesday afternoon.
Junior Robinson scored the opening goal of the match early in the second half, before a double from second half substitute Thierry Nevers secured the win and rounded off another good workout for the developmental side.
Dan Chesters captained the U21s in the heat at the Canford Arena, in what was Mark Robson’s side's third pre-season outing ahead of the new season.
Despite the searing temperatures, there was a good intensity about the opening exchanges in Dorset.
The hosts had the opening chance of the match five minutes in – with Marcus Daws forcing Brian Kinnear into a solid save from close range.
Moments later, a mistake at the back from Bournemouth presented Robinson with a chance to strike from distance, but his shot was well charged down by the covering defender.
Armstrong Okoflex was causing issues with his bursts of pace in and around the Cherries’ penalty area – one run into the box saw him clipped, but the referee waved away his protests.
The high press from the Hammers was causing issues at the back for Bournemouth, and Chesters was nearly rewarded for his work when he closed down a loose pass – but goalkeeper Billy Terrell was able to claim.
Robson’s team dominated the play in the first 45 minutes, whilst the home side, managed by Sean Cooper looked to hit on the counter attack.
Remy Coddington was facing off against his former team, and the Bermudian had his first opportunity just past the half hour mark. After a quick burst away from the defender, Coddington blazed an effort over the crossbar and behind.
As the clouds began to roll in, taking away with it some of the heat, Okoflex had his first sighter on the Cherries goal – his effort was well saved by Terrell, who was the busier of the two goalkeepers throughout the contest.
The shot stopper was called into action again to deny a long-range strike moments before the break.
In the second half, Coddington almost broke the deadlock against his former club, but his effort was pushed well away from danger.
The pressure from the Hammers finally told six minutes into the second half. Coddington’s initial effort from point-blank range was well saved, but Robinson was on hand to tap home from close range.
As thunder rumbled on in the distance, the Hammers went in search of a second as the pace of the game began to slow somewhat.
And it would be Nevers, on as a substitute that would add that second goal, finding the net after a good ball in from the left-hand-side.
The home side nearly added a consolation with five minutes remaining, but Daniel Adu-Adjei couldn’t steer his header on target.
In the closing stages, Nevers added his second from close range to seal a comfortable win for the U21s in their third pre-season game.
West Ham United: Kinnear, Greenidge, Laing, Cardoso, Clayton, Woods (Forson 41), Ekwah, Robinson (Peake 76), Okoflex (Nevers 58), Chesters (Okoflex 70), Coddington.
Subs not used: Knightbridge.
Goals: Robinson 51, Nevers 74, 90+3.
