Despite being drenched in West Ham United U23s’ 3-1 win over Everton U23s on Saturday afternoon, goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi was delighted to play his part in it!
The fixture was played to the backdrop of torrential rain, but the young Hammers were in red-hot form in defeating the Toffees, striking twice early in the first half through Kamarai Swyer and Jamal Baptiste.
Everton’s Stanley Mills struck back soon after with a finish that gave Hegyi little chance, but the Irons sealed the result on the hour mark when Aji Alese scrambled home a corner, sealing a 3-1 win which took West Ham U23s up to third in Premier League 2 Division 1.
Hegyi himself was called upon twice in the second half to make important saves and keep the two-goal lead in tact – a task he pulled off with aplomb.
“It’s a good feeling,” Hegyi smiled. “Obviously we are third in the league now, so it was a massive win for the boys.
“Obviously in the second half they had some chances, but that’s when you need a ‘keeper behind the team! I just did everything I could to keep the ball out of the net. Luckily we did in the second half.
“Now, I must focus on my national team and have a good trip with Hungary U21s. I’ll come back after that and we’ll hopefully just keep going.”
The results saw the young Irons rise to third place in Premier League 2 Division 1 after back-to-back victories at Rush Green Stadium – with centre-backs Aji Alese and Jamal Baptiste scoring and assisting for one another in both games.
That’s the most important thing: to stay consistent and bring everything out onto the pitch every time we step onto it
Krisztian Hegyi
“I’m surprised!” Hegyi laughed. “It’s a good thing, our defenders scoring, because it gives them more confidence and it’s obviously good for the team too. They just need to keep going.
“That’s the most important thing: to stay consistent and bring everything out onto the pitch every time we step onto it. In the last two league games we’ve done it, so we’re happy.”
Hegyi has been an impressive performer thus far in his first season of regular development football, the highly-rated 19-year-old having previously impressed for the Hammers’ youth team.
The goalkeeper said: “That’s the big step up for me from last year, going into the U23s team.
“I’m playing at this level week in, week out, and I’m learning a lot every day. The most important thing is just to keep going and stay consistent.”
Hegyi will now report for international duty as Hungary U21s face UEFA U21 Championship qualifiers at home to both Poland on Friday 8 October and Germany on Tuesday 12 October.
“I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait!” he smiled.
“Obviously it’s a massive thing to play for my national team and I’m always happy to represent my country. I’m looking forward to it.”