Martin Samuelsen has hailed his side’s 'mature performance' after the West Ham U21s bested Swindon Town in a thrilling 3-2 win in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Samuelsen put the Irons ahead inside six minutes of Tuesday’s fixture at the County Ground, rounding the goalkeeper before slotting into the empty net.
The midfielder also had a huge hand in West Ham’s second finish, driving Terry Westley’s side into a dangerous attacking position before Moses Makasi ended the move with a goal.
We showed great character. It was a mature performance from us.
Martin Samuelsen
Samuelsen admits Swindon posed a difficult and experienced test for West Ham but is thrilled with how he and his teammates responded to the League Two side’s two equalisers.
“I’m very happy with my performance,” Samuelsen said: “It’s always good to score in games that matter. I’m delighted to get the win.
“Credit to Swindon, they were good. They were well structured defensively and they made it very hard for us to break through. However I think we were patient and we responded really well when they equalised twice.
“We showed great character. It was a mature performance from us.”
It took a late goal from substitute Dan Kemp to secure the three points for West Ham after the Hammers twice conceded the lead, thanks to a second-half penalty and a headed effort from a corner kick for Swindon.
Samuelsen has earned experience of playing difficult English league opposition having spent time on loan with Peterborough in League One and Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, and knows silly errors at this level will always be punished.
And the Norwegian is aware that such mistakes need to be eradicated for West Ham to progress through the Checkatrade Trophy and stand a chance of reaching the final next April at Wembley.
He added: “I think going on loan into League One and the Championship taught me that every mistake at this level will be punished. We gave away a couple of silly free-kicks and their biggest and best chances came from set-pieces.
“We have to be smarter when it comes to giving away these set-pieces – that’s something I learned on loan and it’s something my teammates are learning is essential if we want to go all the way to Wembley.
“Ultimately I’m very happy. That’s why I’m here – to help the team win. Hopefully there’s more to come.”