Archie Woods played a key role as West Ham United U21s beat Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s 5-0 on Monday night.
The impressive victory at Aggborough Stadium saw the Hammers leapfrog Wolves in Premier League 2 Divison 1 and move up to tenth
The centre midfielder scored his first goal for the U21s in additional time against the ten men of Wolves, who lost their goalkeeper 18 minutes into the game when he was sent off after fouling Kamarai Swyer. Regan Clayton and Lewis Orford were also on the scoresheet, whilst Wolves also scored two own goals.
Woods placed the ball into the bottom corner from a free kick, but the midfielder was only allowed to take the set piece after a game of rock paper scissors.
“It was a screamer,” Woods laughed. “We won a foul on the edge of the box and Dan [Chesters] and I were both keen to take it. We had to play a game of rock paper scissors to decide and fortunately I went for scissors, and he went for paper.
“From that moment my only real aim was to get the ball over the wall and to hit the target because they had an outfield player in goal. I didn’t actually manage to get the ball over the wall but thankfully the ball found its way through, and the keeper had no chance of saving it!”
Woods was delighted with the three points and suggested that it was the perfect way to bounce back after defeat to Manchester City last time out.
He continued: “That was definitely the way that we wanted to respond. We dominated the opening 20 minutes and that led to the red card. From that moment onwards we played really well and controlled the game. We set the standard right from the off and we knew that we would win if we continued to play at the same intensity.
“It was important to make a fast start because it was a big game for us. We’re both in similar positions in the league and all of the players knew the importance of winning. Robbo just told us to get at them from the off and we managed to do that.”
The young Hammers have now won seven of their last ten league matches and Woods is determined for the side to continue this form in the final months of the season.
“We just want to keep the momentum going now. We just want to keep winning football matches wherever we can and we want to keep pushing up the table. The aim is to finish as high as possible and to be as far away from the bottom as possible.
“We want to keep improving as a team and as players. We’ll take this momentum into the next match, and we’ll try to get another three points. We’re pleased with how we’re doing, and we’ll keep pushing to climb the table.”
