Ebbsfleet United 2-1 West Ham United U21s
Pre-season match, Kuflink Stadium, Tuesday 25 July 2023, 7.45pm GMT
Vanarama National League opposition will always present an important test for the Academy of Football but a pleasing performance – despite a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday evening – saw West Ham United U21s compete well against their more experienced counterparts.
The hosts achieved promotion from National League South last season, finishing top of the tree with 32 wins for 46 matches, and took control of the early proceedings.
The Hammers, though, disciplined in a back five shape, more than held their own, until Ebbsfleet forward Dominic Poleon poked home the game’s opening goal four minutes before the break.
Skippered by Conor Coventry, who played the first hour on his return to match fitness following a hamstring injury at the end of last season, Mark Robson’s outfit started to get on the ball, and following half chances in the first half for Callum Marshall, Thierry Nevers and George Earthy, deservedly pulled level in the second.
A swashbuckling run from wing-back supreme Dan Chesters looked to have put the West Ham equaliser on a plate for Marshall on the hour, although Chester’s wicked cross would eventually deflect off Ebbsfleet centre-half Haydn Hollis and into the net.
As those in Claret and Blue continued to threaten, Marshall had a chance to net the winner. Lewis Orford found his teammate, although the Northern Irish forward could only find the stands from inside the area following a wild swing of his left foot.
Robson’s outfit though was indebted to a stunning save from Knightbridge who denied Franklin Domi’s curling effort, with strong left palm having dived quickly to his right.
That joy was short-lived, however, as Franklin Domi found the net from close range ten minutes from time to give his side a marginal win in Kent.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge (GK), Chesters, Laing, Luizão (Trialist 78), Forbes, Scarles, Appiah-Foson (Kelly 60), Coventry © (Orford 60), Earthy (Moore 80), Marshall (Woods 78), Nevers (Kodua 45)
Subs not used: Terry, Tarima
Goal: Hollis og 59
Robson pleased with ‘work rate’ against National League outfit
Despite a narrow defeat on the night, Mark Robson praised his side's showing against Ebbsfleet and a performance full of character in Kent.
The Hammers are now two weeks away from their Premier League 2 opener and the lead coach was impressed by the showings of his players as they made a strong return to match fitness.
Robson said: “I thought it was a really good workout and I was really impressed as we moved the ball really well at times against Ebbsfleet.
“In the second half, we had a fair share of the chances, so we’re disappointed with the two goals and the final result. But there were a lot of good performances across the pitch which were matched by work rate too."
The lead coach was also pleased to see Coventry make himself available to represent the U21s. The first-team midfielder's experience was vital as he also stepped up his return to action following an injury too with an hour on the pitch.
“It was great to have Conor playing for us as well, getting 60 minutes under his belt,” Robson said. “He is terrific lad and is someone who helps the younger lads in the game too.
“He's a really good influence on and off the pitch for the players trying to make that step up too.”
Dan Chesters continues to thrive in wing-back role
Success in an unfamiliar role last term has seen Dan Chesters more than make the wing-back role his own over the past few months.
So much so that the 21-year-old featured in the position for the first team across the tour of Australia, having impressed for the U21s following his return from a loan spell at Colchester United midway through the 2022/23 season.
Against Ebbsfleet, it was more of the same as Chesters lined up in a back-five alongside Levi Laing, Luizão, Micheal Forbes and Ollie Scarles.
Defensively resilient in Kent, Chesters offered plenty in attack too. His bursting run almost brought a penalty in the first half. And then brought an equaliser in the second. His cross poked home by opposition centre-back Haydn Hollis.
On his role at wing-back, he said: “I think it’s a really good position for me. It lets me express myself and get into 1v1s with the opposition full-back so I can show my skills and attack them. I prefer wing-back to full-back because it means I can get forward.
“It’s hard to learn a more defensive role for me because I am used to playing on the wing or midfielder but with Levi [Laing] next to me, it helps because he’s a good communicator.
"I am enjoying the challenge a lot and hopefully, it leads to more chances with the first team!”
Up next
West Ham U21s will be next in action against Colchester United on Friday evening.
Tickets for the match held at Maldon & Titpree FC can be purchased on the day at the turnstiles. Kick-off is set for 7pm.
