West Ham United U21s 1-0 Valencia CF U21s
Premier League International Cup, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Tuesday 22 August, 7pm BST
West Ham United U21s produced a resolute performance in their opening match of the Premier League International Cup, as they beat Valencia CF 1-0 at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
In an incredibly even contest on Tuesday evening, it looked as though the match was going to be heading to a stalemate, but Gideon Kodua produced a moment of real quality, firing the ball into the bottom corner late on to win the tie.
It took some time for the Hammers to find opportunities against a stubborn Valencia side that made Steve Potts’ team work for their openings across the 90 minutes.
The first real chance of note arrived on 36 minutes as compatriots Patrick Kelly and Callum Marshall combined, with the former seeing an effort blocked in the area. Up the other end, Brazilian defender Luizão was in inspired form, as he stopped the away side from advancing on several occasions.
Pushing for consecutive wins, Kodua, Marshall and George Earthy combined well as the game entered the second 45 minutes, but again, the Irons couldn’t find the final pass that would unlock the opportunity for a clear strike on goal. Earthy nearly broke the deadlock on 70 minutes, but his shot nestled wide of the post.
In the end, the pressure from the home side was rewarded. A run from Kelly opened the space up for Kodua to hit a sweet-struck effort that nestled in the bottom corner, winning the tie for his team.
West Ham United U21s: Anang, Chesters (Robinson 67), Laing (Tarima 81), Casey ©, Luizão, Scarles (Battrum 90+6), Kelly, Orford, Kodua, Marshall, Earthy (Moore 81)
Subs not used: Knightbridge, Bates, Woods
Goals: Kodua 79
Booked: Robinson
Potts: The game was in the balance so we’re thrilled to get over the line
According to Steve Potts, a positive attitude got West Ham United U21s over the line.
A back-five of Ollie Scarles, Levi Laing, Luizão, Kaelan Casey, and Dan Chesters limited Valencia to little in east London, with the visitors restricted to a handful of half chances.
In truth, the win always looked set to go the way of the side to find that one moment of magic and quality.
And West Ham did just that; Gideon Kodua’s strike getting his side over the line.
“I thought both sides had good spells but we limited them to not too many chances,” Potts stated. “We tried to get after them as much as we could but they had a lot of quality.
"I was really pleased with the way we found a solution to that because it wasn’t easy. They were a good team, but I thought we were excellent in most of the stuff we did. I thought we passed it well…and then at the end produced that bit of quality.
“We had to battle against them…but I thought it was impressive how switched on we were and we kept doing the right stuff [from a defensive shape perspective]. We limited them to hardly anything, really.”
Of course, that moment of quality came from the boot of Kodua. A swashbuckling run from Patrick Kelly freed the Hammers No7 who cut inside and found the bottom corner.
Potts added: “That sums Gids up really. He came to life at that moment and as soon as he came inside you fancied him. It was a great finish, right into the bottom corner.”
Kodua's goal-scoring continues with U21s
When the game is petering towards a goalless draw, one look at West Ham’s front three and you always felt there was a chance you could nick the win.
George Earthy, Callum Marshall, and Gideon Kodua were amongst the goals last year as Kevin Keen’s U18s won the league and FA Youth Cup double – and so far for the U21s it has been no different.
Earthy struck the winner in pre-season against Colchester United. Marshall the first against Sunderland. And now, it was the turn of Kodua. The No7 stepped up, and after a neat trick inside, found the bottom corner to kickstart the Irons’ Premier League International Cup campaign with a win.
“It’s not only me that can do that as well,” Kodua enthused. “We have others that can produce that magic in the team as well but luckily today it was my day.
"I think it was coming. We were building the pressure with a lot of crosses into the box and then PK found me. With the front three we have, the way we link up, there are goals between us. I think with this team we can go far.”
Whilst Kodua will take the plaudits for his winner eleven minutes from time, the defensive showing from the Irons meant it was a solid performance all-round in east London.
“It’s a good win,” Kodua agreed, as the Hammers made it two wins from their first two home games of the season. “Our defensive shape was really good, so we held it well and it was a good game for us.
“I think Arsenal was a bit of a wake-up call. I think we have recovered well and the team is doing well now and onto the next.”
Up next
West Ham United U21s will next be in action away to Leeds United.
The game is set for Friday 25 August, with kick-off at 7pm.
