An aspiring sports journalist and West Ham United fan spent the day with our media team during our 3-1 win over Luton, as part of the Club's Junior Hammers matchday takeover.
The initiative, which gave young Hammers the chance to shadow members of our matchday team, saw Rachel, 14, go behind the scenes in our final home game of the 2023/24 season.
You can read Rachel's match report from the press box at London Stadium and interview with Scholar Ezra Mayers below…
Rachel spent the match in the Press Box and wrote her own report and took her own photos of a dramatic game...
Report: 'What a moment for teenager George Earthy'
A second-half comeback from West Ham United saw a win in the final home game of the season.
Albert Sambi Lokonga gave Luton the lead after six minutes but goals from James Ward-Prowse, Tomáš Souček, and George Earthy in the second half meant the Hammers finished their last home game with three points.
It was not an ideal start for the Hammers, as a nice cross from Alfie Doughty found Lokonga and he headed past Alphonse Areola to put them ahead.
West Ham showed a good reaction after Luton took the lead early on, Mohammed Kudus placing a shot just wide, before Lucas Paquetá crossed into the penalty box to Jarrod Bowen, who just put his shot wide of goal.
Luton came close again, with Kurt Zouma blocking a dangerous cross. At the other end, Tomáš Souček headed down Vladimír Coufal’s cross at the back post for Bowen, but his shot was blocked on the line by Teden Mengi. Close from both sides but it remained 1-0 to Luton.
There was then some more great defending from Luton, as West Ham continued to up the pressure. A good cross from Emerson on the left looked dangerous, but no one was there to apply the finish.
Chances kept coming for West Ham after Ward-Prowse scored the equalising goal in the second half.
Kudus showed a lovely bit of skill to beat his man in the penalty area before Michail Antonio’s header was brilliantly saved by Thomas Kaminski. Bowen then saw his rebound hit the side netting. The Hammers were getting closer and Luton are under pressure.
Emerson was next to go close for West Ham minutes later, but his effort was deflected over by a great tackle.
Another corner for West Ham came later - and this one ended in a goal. The ball landed nicely to Souček just outside the area and he hammered it home. West Ham have taken the lead and turned the game around!
It was almost another goal for West Ham not so long later. A quick counter-attack involving Kudus and Bowen left Luton short in defence. Kudus looked certain to score after getting the ball in space, but he mistimed his shot and hit the post. A huge let-off for Luton.
But it was game, set and match for West Ham as they grabbed a third goal after 76 minutes.
George Earthy, straight off the bench, scored with his first touch of the game to make it 3-1 to the Irons. What a moment for the teenager after he had to leave the field on his Premier League debut a couple of weeks ago. West Ham are cruising now! 3-1.
Kaelan Casey was also handed his West Ham debut late on, and David Moyes' side defended brilliantly towards the end of the game to win on their last home game of the season.
Interview: 'U18 defender Mayers celebrates award wins at London Stadium'
After the game, Rachel interviewed West Ham United U18 defender Ezra Mayers about his fantastic season, which has seen him collect the Dylan Tombides Award and Doris Bell Trophy.
Mayers said: “It’s a proud moment for me and I’m happy to have won these awards. I have worked hard all season with my teammates, who have helped a lot, so I am very grateful.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be recognised as the Academy of Football’s outstanding scholar and to be a part of West Ham's Academy. They pride themselves a lot with their Academies and we have a special squad.
“We’ve had a fantastic season in the league. We obviously fell short in the end, but I’ve enjoyed playing with the U21s as well and it has been a great experience.
“I would love to make my debut for the Club in the future and that’s something I am striving to achieve.”
