West Ham United U23s rounded off 2019 with an impressive 4-0 win over Newcastle United, confirming their spot at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 over the Christmas break.
It’s just under two weeks until the Academy side’s next fixture against Manchester United but the young Hammers head into the festive period full of confidence.
U23s goalkeeper Joseph Anang is no different. The England U20 international has been kept busy so far this term, mixing a relentless U23s schedule with regular appearances in the first-team travelling party.
The 19-year-old stopper has played an integral part in the table-topping Hammers’ success, keeping his fifth clean sheet of the season in the 4-0 win over Newcastle last time out.
Everyone’s buzzing in the changing room. It’s the perfect way to head into a Christmas break and we’re excited for what the rest of the season has in store for us
Joseph Anang
Speaking after victory over the Magpies, Anang was pleased to finish the year in emphatic fashion.
“It feels great to finish off 2019 with a clean sheet,” he smiled. “The boys played really well, and the defenders did their jobs. It wasn’t my busiest afternoon, but we put in a good performance and I’m pleased.
“Everyone’s buzzing in the changing room. It’s the perfect way to head into a Christmas break and we’re excited for what the rest of the season has in store for us.”
Dmitri Halajko’s side currently hold a slender one-point lead at the top over rivals Manchester United.
The Red Devils are the next visitors to the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Monday 6 January, with a win for either side potentially pivotal for their title ambitions.
Anang is hoping the young Irons can take their current momentum into the New Year, helping the squad accomplish the targets that they outlined in pre-season.
“The main ambition for us this season is to win the league and that’s something that I really want to achieve. We’ve said it since the start of the year; we made that our goal and we’re top at Christmas, so we have to carry that on.”
The keeper also hopes to continue his own development between now and the end of the campaign.
“In the second part of the season I just want to keep doing what I’m doing, putting in the work and just seeing what happens. I’ve spent a lot of time with the first team this year and I’ve just got to keep working to get better and improve.”
For now, Anang and the rest of the squad will enjoy a well-earned winter break, but the importance of the first fixture of 2020 will certainly not be forgotten over the festive period.
“We’ll have a nice Christmas with our families,” he smiled. “Then our attention is straight on Manchester United in January.”
