Braintree Town 4-2 West Ham United U21s
National League Cup Group D, Cressing Road, Tuesday 5 November 2024, 7.45pm GMT
West Ham United U21s suffered a 4-2 defeat against Braintree Town in their National League Cup opener, concluding a demanding spell of games since the last international break which has seen them pick up four consecutive defeats.
The young Hammers delivered a promising first-half performance, showing attacking intent with goals from Josh Ajala and Ollie Scarles putting them ahead at the break. In the second period, they were ultimately undone by Braintree’s physical dominance and clinical set pieces as goals from Inih Effiong, Kyrell Lisbie and George Langston, in addition to John Akinde’s strike in the first half, secured a 4-2 victory for the Iron.
The match began with Braintree controlling more of the possession in the opening exchanges. However, the Hammers struck first, with Ajala converting in the ninth minute. Kamarai Swyer span away from his marker as he received the ball from Lewis Orford. His low cross found Ajala, who displayed excellent composure, taking a touch to create space before firing into the top corner.
The lead was short-lived. Five minutes later, a mistake at the back allowed John Akinde to break through one-on-one with Fin Herrick. Although Akinde’s initial effort struck the post, he was quick to follow up and tap in the equaliser, capitalising on the error.
Both sides exchanged chances, with West Ham continuing to press forward. Just after the half-hour mark, Scarles restored the Hammers’ lead, receiving in the box following great link-up play between Emeka Adiele and Tyron Akpata, before calmly slotting home in a crowded penalty area.
West Ham’s momentum carried them into the break with a 2-1 advantage, but the second half saw Braintree shift to a more direct, physical approach. Led by seasoned strikers Effiong and Akinde, Braintree piled on the pressure, using their experience and aerial strength to unsettle the young West Ham defence.
Shortly after the hour mark, minutes after being brought on as a substitute, Effiong levelled the score once more, neatly converting a through ball from Akinde. Braintree quickly capitalised on their surge, as Lisbie pounced on a long throw-in just minutes later, taking advantage of a chaotic scramble in the box to put the hosts ahead.
Despite West Ham’s attempts to regain control, Braintree’s physicality continued to be a decisive factor. Captain Langston added a fourth goal in the 86th minute with a far post finish from a set piece to secure, what was in the end, a comfortable win for the home side.
Braintree Town: Covolan, Davidson-Phipps (Effiong 58), Terry, Clampin, Langston ©, Vennings (Annesley HT), Blackwell (Blackwell 63), Lisbie, Balogun (Francis HT), Akinde, Cooper (Robinson HT)
Subs not used: Powell
Goals: Akinde 19, Effiong 61, Lisbie 64, Langston 86
Booked: Annesley, Langston
West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Tarima (Golambeckis 82), Casey © (Brown 66), Luizão (Briggs 82), Robinson, Orford, Akpata, Adiele, Swyer, Scarles (Fawunmi 66), Ajala
Subs not used: Awesu (GK), Rigge, Moore
Goals: Ajala 9, Scarles 37
Robson: We need to be more aggressive and ruthless
After a promising first half that saw West Ham United U21s take the lead twice, Mark Robson’s side ultimately struggled to contend with Braintree Town’s physicality and direct approach in the second half.
Despite competing well and creating opportunities to extend their lead, the young Hammers were unable to match Braintree’s aerial strength and seasoned forwards, eventually conceding three goals in the final half an hour. While disappointed by the outcome, Robson highlighted the valuable learning experiences for his players.
“We played really well in the first half,” Robson reflected. “The performance was positive. We went 1-0 up and even had a couple of good chances to put the game to bed when we were leading 2-1. Unfortunately, that’s been a bit of the story in recent games, creating opportunities but not quite capitalising on them. It wasn’t an issue earlier in the season, but it’s something we’ve got to address going forward.
“In the second half, Braintree changed their approach, putting us under a lot of pressure with direct balls into the box. Akinde and Effiong were a real handful, and facing players like that is a valuable experience for some of our younger lads. Although it’s hard to compete in terms of physicality with this kind of opposition, it’s a reminder that in these games, we need be more aggressive and ruthless, like they are.”