In this entertaining bout at Prenton Park on Friday night, West Ham U23s were unlucky not to beat Liverpool, even young midfielder Kai Corbett scoring his first goal in the Premier League 2 wasn’t enough to claim all three points, with the game ending 1-1.
Dimitri Halajko’s Hammers were looking for revenge in this fixture as their previous meeting ended in turmoil, with Liverpool beating them 4-2. Memories of ‘keeper Joseph Anang’s dismissal would have been fresh in the minds of the young Irons prior to this game.
Despite this, this game was a strong showing from the boys in claret and blue, following last Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.
This was a back-and-forth game with both teams looking likely to take the win with a lot of talent on the field this afternoon.
Time For Redemption?
The Hammers started off the game strong after, just 15 minutes in Corbett raced down the right hand side, creating a 2-on-2 situation with Jayden Fevrier.
Corbett cheekily cut in with his left foot and let off a rocket of a shot on goal, luckily for him the shot deflected off defender Morgan Boyes, looping over the keeper to make it 1-0 to the Irons.
Just five minutes later, the Hammers could have doubled their lead with Dan Chesters performing a picture-perfect mazing run past three Liverpool players, laying it off to goal scorer Corbett to slide the ball just wide of the back post.
Back To Reality
Just before half time, Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton shot for the stars with a wonder strike from range. This ultimately deflected off the sea of defenders in front of him, with the ball finding its way into the path of right-back Conor Bradley who confidently struck the ball into the bottom corner, making it 1-1 at half time.
The second half consisted of many half-chances and wasted opportunities form both sides. The scrappy nature of the game resulted in a nasty collision involving Liverpool striker Layton Stewart, who was stretchered off the pitch clutching his knee. It seemed like a serious injury with Stewart needing oxygen whilst being carried to the ambulance.
Despite the chances that each side made, no player could prove decisive on the day as the game ended with the sides sharing the points. The young Hammers will be disappointed with this result, as they could’ve used the three points to help close the gap between them and Southampton.
Uphill Battle
With seven games remaining in the Premier League 2, the young Irons are looking like they’ve booked a ticket directly back into Division 2 for next season.
The Hammers currently sit in last place, where they have been most of the season, but a glimmer of hope is still on the horizon if results in other games go in their favour.
Halajko’s side will desperately be wanting to win their remaining games with only eight points needed to save them from relegation.
