- West Ham United U15s won their opening two matches at the Slavia International Cup
- As a result, they top Group A with three games left to play
- The Hammers beat St Polten (Austria) 1-0 and Jiangsu Suning (China) 2-0
Head of U15-U18 Coaching Danny Searle believes his team have laid down a marker after winning their opening two matches at the Slavia International Cup.
The young Hammers travelled to Prague, Czech Republic yesterday and today beat SKN St.Polten (Austria) and Jiangsu Suning (China) to top Group A.
They won the first 1-0 thanks to a close-range finish from Dan Chesters before cruising to victory in the second match after goals from Amadou Diallo and Charlie O’Connell.
“The first day is always tough and you have to make sure you’re still in the competition at the close of play,” said Searle.
“The performances weren’t necessarily the types we want but we did get better as the games went on.
“We haven’t conceded and we’re top of the group so we have laid down a marker and put breathing space between us and the rest.
The Hammers took on St.Polten in their first match and had to dig-in for the three points against their resilient Austrian opponents.
Harry Costa went close in the opening stages with a long-range effort before Chesters opened the scoring, sliding in to convert Captain Sam Caiger’s cross.
We haven’t conceded and we’re top of the group so we have laid down a marker and put breathing space between us and the rest
Danny Searle
Polten went close in the final stages but the Hammers registered three points in their opening game and used their momentum to dominate their second fixture.
Their opponents Suning were no match for the East Londoners who went ahead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a wonderful run and finish from Diallo.
Kai Corbett missed a great chance to double the lead midway through the second half before substitute Charlie O’Connell finished well to ensure West Ham topped Group A going into Day Two.
“Other teams have slipped up today so that gives us great confidence going into a packed day tomorrow,” added Searle.
“The aim is to reach the final and it’s a great incentive that it will be played at Slavia Prague’s 20,000 seater stadium.”
The Hammers play three group games tomorrow against hosts Slavia Prague, the Chinese national team and MSK Zilina (Slovakia).
West Ham (v SKN St. Polten): Roach, Greenidge (O’Connell), Caiger, Costa, Thomas, Nsumbu (Fevrier), Diallo, Chesters, Corbett (Khouri), Peake (Swyer), King (Maragh).
Subs not used: Wilson-Esbrand.
Goals: Chesters.
Bookings: Costa.
West Ham (v Jiangsu Suning): Roach, Greenidge (O’Connell), Caiger (Fevrier), Costa, Thomas, Nsumbu, Diallo (Maragh), Chesters, Corbett (Khouri), Lennon Peake (Swyer), King.
Subs not used: Wilson-Esbrand.
Goals: Diallo, O’Connell.