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.
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.
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.
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.
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.