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West Ham United’s Under-21s suffered National League Cup final heartbreak as Boreham Wood came from 2-0 down to beat Greg Lincoln’s side on penalties at Meadow Park.
The Hammers went into half-time 2-0 up thanks to goals from Lewis Orford and Josh Landers.
Abdul Abdulmalik – the best player on the pitch – would spark a dramatic turnaround after the break, though, while Finlay Herrick ruined what until then was a supreme goalkeeping performance with a genuine howler deep into stoppage time.
Heartbreak for Herrick and West Ham! 😩
What did you make of that National League Cup final loss?
Substitute Gabriel Caliste then missed the crucial spot kick as Boreham Wood prevailed 7-5 in the shoot-out.
Here is how Hammers News rated West Ham United’s players.
1. Finlay Herrick – 7/10
Who would be a goalkeeper? A night of wildly contrasting emotions, summed up when Enrico Souza’s penalty rebounded off the post, hit Herrick’s back, and bounced in to send us to sudden death.
Looked destined to be West Ham’s cup final hero until he spilled Aaron Henry’s speculative 93rd minute effort into his own net. Made a handful of top saves before then, including one outrageous reaction to tip a chip onto the bar.
Still gets a 7/10 as he was outstanding until that last-gasp gaffe.
2. Ryan Battrum – 6/10
An aggressive, proactive defender. Did OK in the circumstances against the electrifying Abdul Abdulmalik. Moved into midfield with Jethro Medine coming on at half-time and arguably should have scored twice.
Breathed sigh of relief when his sudden death spot-kick evaded Ted Curd.
5. Airidas Golambeckis – 8/10
Captain Golambeckis returned from injury in time to start. Some really nice moments which show why he is considered a top defensive talent. A composed, classy centre-half with real pace and confidence in possession.
Just about snuck his penalty into the corner.
6. Josh Briggs – 7/10
Less flashy than his defensive partners but grew in stature as Boreham Wood turned the screw in the second half. Countless clearances.
Penalty very composed.
3. Rayan Oyebade – 8/10
Made one outstanding block to stop a shot seemingly destined for the top corner. Not his only heroic piece of defending. Left-footed Oyebade stood out with his passing and ball-carrying at times.
Ezra Mayers has come on leaps and bounds, and Oyebade should hope to follow in his former teammate’s footsteps in the coming months.
11. Reagan Clayton – 6/10
Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images
Up and down all day, though his crossing was hit and miss. Clayton failed to beat Ted Curd in the Boreham Wood goal inside three minutes when put in one-v-one by Preston Fearon. Delivered a cross from which Battrum hit the bar.
8. Lewis Orford – 7/10
Missed a guilt-edged chance in the first minute, but made amends when he forced in the opener. Always busy and never afraid to shoot, though his decision-making was questionable at times.
Scored penalty.
4. Tyron Akpata – 7/10
Not as flashy as Orford or Fearon but just as capable when it comes to breaking the lines. Akpata played one outrageous pass into Ajala before being taken off at the break, seemingly after picking up a knock.
Akpata’s high pressing helped force the mistake which led to West Ham’s opener. Hammers perhaps missed his energy at the base of midfield in the second half.
7. Preston Fearon – 9/10 Man of the Match
Jarrod Bowen called Preston Fearon a ‘special’ talent in pre-season, and it’s easy to see why he is so highly-regarded.
At the heart of almost everything that was good about West Ham going forward. Fearon could have had two assists in the first three minutes, and it was no surprise that it was he who played the pass through in the build-up to Orford’s opener.
A creative machine. One sublime first-time pass around the corner to set Landers away was glorious.
10. Joel Ajala – 6/10
Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images
A frustrating night really. Ajala could have secured the Golden Boot tonight but rolled his best chance of the evening wide of the target.
Showed the intent to drop deep and link play. Scored his penalty but also thought he should have had a spot-kick in normal time.
9. Josh Landers – 8/10
A thankless task at times as West Ham occasionally launched the ball up to him with very mixed results. Missed one-v-one and was bailed out as Orford turned in the rebound. Never likely to let Boreham Wood off the hook for a second time, though.
Benefitting from another awful mix-up, Landers doubled the lead with a smooth left-footed finish late in the first-half. Should really have been the winner.
‘Special’ Preston Fearon is adding goals to his game! 😮💨
How do you see his West Ham career developing?
Substitutes
13. Hooper12. Cummings – N/A
Barely had a kick after coming on late but rattled his penalty home emphatically.
14. Caliste – N/A
Saw penalty saved. Drew the short straw.
15. Medine16. Leacock17. Hargan18. DikeJoin Our Newsletter
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