West Ham United U23s ran out 3-1 winners against Southampton U23s in their latest Premier League 2 contest at Rush Green Stadium on Friday evening.
A first-half brace from Mipo Odubeko had put the Hammers in control before Kazeem Olaigbe hit back for the visitors in the 60th minute.
Dan Chesters first goal of the season restored the U23s two-goal advantage just ten minutes later and Lead coach Dmitri Halajko’s side defended astutely in the closing stages to see out the victory.
What we did have tonight, is something that we’ve been missing all season and that’s being clinical in the final third and tonight I felt that we showed some great cutting edge in that area.
Dmitri Halajko
On a night where grit and determination came to the fore, Halajko was pleased with his side’s efforts.
“It was a tough game, a really important game for us and our season,” he said. “I didn’t think that we were at our best tonight, we were sloppy at times and didn’t have any real sustained possession.
“What we did have tonight, is something that we’ve been missing all season and that’s being clinical in the final third and tonight I felt that we showed some great cutting edge in that area.”
Chances were few and far between in east London, but the U23s made the most of their openings to secure their first win of 2021.
The Development squad were bolstered by the return of regular captain Conor Coventry, Ajibola Alese and Mipo Oubeko to the team on Friday night and all three put in a spirited display despite a lack of match sharpness.
“For the first game back for players like Aji (Alese), Conor (Coventry) and Mipo (Odubeko) to get through the number of minutes they did is a real testament to them and to the work that they’ve been doing off the pitch to get themselves fit.”
“For the first time this season we’ve got a real competition for places,” Halajko continued. That’s what every manager wants, and what every team should be like. You’ve got to earn your place to be in the team and that’s what we’re going to have going forward.”
Jamal Baptiste and Dapo Afolayan were in action for the U23s for the first time since making their First Team debuts against Doncaster Rovers last weekend.
Once the players have got the opportunity it’s then over to them to show the manager what they can do, but they’ve got to force that opportunity and it’s nice to see that a few have done that, got themselves on the pitch and done themselves justice.
Dmitri Halajko
Halajko was pleased to see his players grasping their First Team opportunities with both hands.
“We’re lucky to have a First Team Manager in David Moyes who takes a real interest in the programme, that watches our games, that knows the lads and takes them into training on a regular basis.
“Once the players have got the opportunity it’s then over to them to show the manager what they can do, but they’ve got to force that opportunity and it’s nice to see that a few have done that, got themselves on the pitch and done themselves justice.”
Tonight’s win was hugely important for the U23s who trimmed the gap to those above them in the Premier League 2 Division 1 Table.
“I think tonight was a big game for a few reasons, they’re down the bottom of the league with us and if we want to get out of that then we have to start winning games like this,” Halajko concluded.
“It’s a few days before the window ends so if any players are looking to get themselves out on loan then games like tonight are last opportunity to impress.”
