West Ham U21’s grab first win of the season

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Holly Davies reports on an important victory for the young Hammers against Wolves

Thanks to goals by Enner Valencia, Marcus Browne, Manny Onarise and Martin Samuelsen, The Hammers beat Wolverhampton 4-0 on home turf this week.

Valencia was part of a strong West Ham line up that included first team players: Pedro Obiang, captain on the night Reece Oxford, and the highly rated winger Martin Samuelsen.

After his highly-praised performances in the first team, Oxford captained the side and played his natural position at centre back. The 17-year-old was in constant dialogue with the rest of his team, and led by example.

In an incident-packed game, it was the visitors who nearly struck first within two minutes, as former Chelsea scholar Connor Hunte drove at the defence, and unleashed a shot saved by Spiegel in the West Ham goal.

Forceful

West Ham’s first chance of the game came from Valencia, continuing his return from injury. The Ecuadorian was set free down the right-flank, but the Wolves keeper Jonathan Flatt parried his forceful shot.

In the 33rd minute the game had its first goal. Valencia made it 1-0 to West Ha as he ran onto a through-ball and made no mistake with his finish as he poked it past the onrushing Flatt.

As half time approached Elliot Lee went close to doubling the lead for the home side with a superb free kick, but Flatt was equal to it and managed to get his hands to the ball.

At half time, development squad regulars Marcus Browne and George Dobson replaced returning players Pedro Obiang and Valencia.

Blistering

In the 52nd mintute, Manny Onarise bundled the ball over the line to double West Ham’s lead from a corner.

Five minutes later, Martin Samuelsen was fouled in the box and was awarded a penalty. Elliot Lee’s attempt was saved, but Browne tucked in the rebound to make it 3-0.

A second penalty was awarded to the Hammers as Samuelsen was once again fouled in the box. Wolves had found it difficult throughout the game to deal with him. He took the spot kick himself and made no mistake, to put West Ham 4-0 up.

It was the last of three goals in a blistering 12 minutes from an excellent West Ham team. The result and performance will boost the confidence of the squad with difficult games against Fulham and Brighton coming in the next few weeks.

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