Junior Robinson was delighted to be on the scoresheet for West Ham United U21s on Tuesday afternoon.
The young Hammers cruised past AFC Bournemouth U23s at the Canford Arena, with two goals from Thierry Nevers and Robinson’s finish securing a 3-0 win in Dorset.
It was a different kind of test for the U21s, who beat National League South side, Ebbsfleet United in their previous pre-season outing.
They were up against a Bournemouth team that, like their own, was filled with pace and energy – which made for quite an intense contest on the South Coast.
Robinson was one of seven Academy prospects to put pen to paper on professional terms earlier this summer, enjoyed the workout and is looking forward to the upcoming campaign.
“It was a very tough afternoon out there,” he told whufc.com.
“The weather made it difficult to begin with, but then the clouds and eventually the rain came in, which allowed for the game to have a little more intensity than perhaps we thought at the start.
“The most important thing is that we’ve got the outcome that we wanted, which is minutes in the legs, and obviously the win and a goal for me are bonuses.
In truth, it would have been harder for Robinson to miss when his goal eventually came early in the second half. The 18-year-old reacted first when Remy Coddington shot from close range was palmed into his path.
Robinson, who usually operates as an attacking full-back was instead tasked with staying higher, operating as one of the wingers in an attacking system – which explains why he was best placed to react to the rebound.
“When you’re playing that little bit further forward, you have to take those moments when you come your way. You’re not afforded the time that you get when you’re at full-back, everything has to be that little bit quicker.
“I’ll play anywhere for the team – but it was nice to have a little more creative freedom out there.
The opening stages of the game took place in the searing heat that was basting the rest of the country, but after around 15 minutes, the clouds appeared, which allowed for the game to maintain it’s early intensity throughout.
“The game here was a lot faster than against Ebbsfleet, but both offered different things and were tough. We were able to maintain the tempo quite a lot today – we had a lot of the ball and were able to make some good openings.
“Winning is a habit, and despite it not being the main aim of pre-season, we want to make sure that when it comes to the beginning of the season that we’re doing things right, whether that’s on the pitch or in training. This are moving in the right direction and I’m exciting for the league campaign to begin next month," he said.
