Akinola happy to start for U23s

TA
  • Tunji Akinola was delighted to be back in the PL2 starting eleven last night
  • The Hammers were beaten 3-2 by league leaders Swansea City
  • Up next is a visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final game of the year next Monday

Tunji Akinola was pleased to be back in the PL2 fold after playing 90 minutes in West Ham United’s defeat to Swansea City.

Akinola, who is captain of the U18s, has had a bit part role to play for Terry Westley’s side this season but he started from the off against Swansea in place of Declan Rice who was out with illness.

The Hammers' loss to the Swans means back-to-back defeats in Premier League 2 but Akinola hopes he can play a significant role as the team aims to bounce back next week against Wolverhampton Wanderers and into the New Year.

“I’m very happy to be back in the side. I’ve had quite a few games for the U18s recently so to step back up to the U23s is good and hopefully I’ve shown the staff that I'm capable of playing for them again if they need me to,” said Akinola.

“Obviously Declan was ill and Reece Oxford is getting back fit so all I can do is focus on my performance and I think I did well today but conceding three goals, obviously I’m not happy with that.

“It’s important to end the year on a high and have the Christmas break, have a good rest and go into the New Year knowing that you’ve done well."

I’m very happy to be back in the side. I’ve had quite a few games for the U18s recently so to step back up to the U23s is good and hopefully I’ve shown the staff that I'm capable of playing for them again if they need me to

Tunji Akinola

The Hammers hosted the league leaders knowing a victory would put them back in the hunt for promotion to Division One.

They dominated the opening exchanges, going close through Dan Kemp and Marcus Browne, but it was Swansea who took the lead after half an hour.

George Byers worked himself some room and managed to find the bottom corner from 25 yards, completely against the run of play.

Swansea doubled their lead just after half-time after Botti Biabi was played through on goal and slotted past Nathan Trott, and they looked to be out of sight with six minutes left when Byers scored his second from the spot.

However, the Hammers staged a late fightback and goals from Toni Martinez and Domingos Quina ensured a nervy ending for the visitors, although they managed to hold on to win 3-2.

“It’s very disappointing because we looked back at the game and our staff said we had 65% possession. So for us to have so much of the ball and still concede three sloppy goals, it didn’t really reflect the game,” added Akinola.

“Even more so when we got two goals at the end and were on a little comeback, it just wasn’t enough.”