Ebbsfleet United 2-0 West Ham United U21s
Pre-Season Match, Kuflink Stadium, Saturday 20 July 2024, 3pm BST
West Ham United U21s got their 2024/25 pre-season campaign underway with a narrow 2-0 defeat away at National League side Ebbsfleet United.
The Hammers found themselves behind when Dominic Samuel netted shortly after the restart, notching from close-range after latching onto a Ben Chapman pass.
Ebbsfleet furthered their advantage on 71 minutes courtesy of substitute Kwame Thomas, putting the result beyond Mark Robson’s youthful and spirited West Ham squad.
The hosts started out the brighter side, and they almost took the lead on 13 minutes when Samuel fizzed in a low cross to Dominic Poleon, who, on the slide, steered wide with only Finlay Herrick to beat.
That chance seemed to jolt the game into life, as Poleon spurned a second good chance two minutes later after Tyler Cordner played a creative ball over the top, but the unmarked forward could only fire into the side-netting.
At the other end, West Ham attempted to hit back immediately, as a trialist came within inches of scoring after a flowing move. Ezra Mayers played the ball towards Emeka Adiele, who breezed past defenders with ease and cut the ball back for the forward, only for his shot to hit the inside of the far post.
Jim Kellermann almost caught Herrick off his line midway through the first half with a long-range strike, before Greg Cundle worked his way into position on the edge on the box but fired his shot straight at the Hammers’ No1.
After a scoreless opening half, Ebbsfleet broke the deadlock just three minutes into the second period, as the Irons were caught out of position.
The Fleet switched the ball out to the right with a series of quick, intricate passes, and Chapman’s low ball across the face of goal was tapped home by Samuel at the back post.
Ebbsfleet manager Danny Searle sought to change things on the hour mark, with the hosts fielding almost an entirely new XI.
The National League side increased their lead in the 71st minute when two of their substitutes combined to great effect, as Thomas rose highest to meet a trialist's cross and directed a powerful header into the far corner to seal the win.
West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Battrum, Mayers, Akpata (Medine 78), Laing (Tarima 62), Luizão (Brown 70), Moore (Ajala 62), Swyer (Caliste 82), Trialist (Halim 82), Rigge, Adiele (Sowunmi 64)
Subs not used: Awesu (GK), Abraham (GK)
Attendance: 1,029
Robson: There are plenty of positives
With Ebbsfleet United's pre-season schedule already in full swing, having secured comfortable victories in their opening two fixtures, the hosts proved too physical for the young Hammers.
However, West Ham United U21s lead coach Mark Robson was pleased with his side's performance against the National League outfit, especially in the first half, and insists there are positives to take.
He said: “I thought we were really good in the first half and played really well. We moved the ball well, opened them up and probably had the best chances [of the first half], so we were disappointed not to have gone in ahead at half-time.
“Overall, it was pleasing from everyone because it was the first competitive game for most of the boys. It’s about getting the fitness up, that is the main thing, but I thought Luizão and Levi [Laing] led by example today.
“We had a young team out there and moved some of our U18s up a level, with some of them playing today, so I think by the end of the game we had a lot of them on the pitch, but it was really good as it gave us the opportunity to look at them.
“It was a really good workout for us. We got tired, as I expected we would, because we were up against a physical opponent in Ebbsfleet. It was a nice challenge for our boys, but there are plenty of positives to take and we enjoyed it.”
Laing: It's good to be back!
After being ruled out for four months due to a groin injury, Levi Laing was thrilled with having the responsibility of leading out his team of young Hammers as captain against Ebbsfleet.
In spite of the result, he was impressed by his teammates' performance, considering the physicality and toughness of the opposition.
Laing said: "I think the boys did well to be fair. First game back pre-season, fitness wise we really needed to be on top of it. Physically, they were big strong men, so that was tough to adjust to for some of our younger boys. All things considered, I thought we did a good job. Obviously, it’s not nice to lose, but the main goal for the first game is to get minutes under your belt rather than winning or losing.
"For me personally, it felt good to be back, especially after being out for four months with a hamstring injury. I really enjoyed being captain too, leading the younger boys having played against teams like these before. I feel good mentally and physically.
"As captain, my main message was to enjoy the experience, as we don’t get to play against opposition like this very often, playing in front of a good crowd. Pre-season is about expressing yourself, showing what you can do on and off the ball."
One of the main positives from the goalless first half was Laing's defensive partnership with Luizão, keeping the experienced Ebbsfleet attackers at bay and dominating their aerial duels. Laing is relishing the opportunity to build on this relationship throughout the campaign.
He added: "Lui [Luizão] and I have been playing together for a little while now, we understand how each other play. If I step into midfield, he covers me and vice versa. I think we dealt with the balls coming into the box well. A bit of a language barrier, however, we speak the language of football! I look forward to building on our partnership."
Up Next
West Ham United U21s continue their pre-season preparations when they face National League side Maidenhead United on Wednesday 24 July.
The fixture will be played at York Road, with kick-off set for 7.30pm.
