We're playing some decent stuff and putting some good pressure on them. Final ball could be better in fairness
Poor second half display, West Ham deserved the win with a strong second half display. We will be stronger next season . I enjoy the commentary from the hammers team very fair to both sides imo.
Sunderland Under-21’s fell to a 3-1 defeat to West Ham Under-21’s in the Premier League 2 play-offs at Rush Green. Luke Bell’s close-range effort brought the Black Cats level, but goals from Joshua Ajala, Lewis Orford, and Ryan Battrum either side of the break were enough to send West Ham through to the next round. The Hammers got off to a flying start inside one minute when Ajala collected Chukwuemeka Adiele’s cut-back to fire past Kel Chibueze from 12 yards out. Sunderland almost equalised shortly after when Timur Tutierov skipped past his man but was unable to find Finlay Herrick’s bottom corner. The visitors dominated possession and deservedly got back on level terms on 28 minutes when Bell poked Jaydon’s Jones deflected shot past Herrick from point-blank range. Ben Middlemas almost put the Lads ahead as half time approached after neatly advancing past three Hammers players, but Herrick was equal to his effort. The second half started as the first half ended with Sunderland on the front foot, Tutierov’s curling attempt inside the first five minutes beat Herrick but cannoned back off his post. West Ham regained the lead on 63 minutes when Orford drilled his strike through a host of players to find Chibueze bottom corner from the edge of the box. Graeme Murty’s side finished the game with 10 men when Jack Whittaker received a straight red card on 82 minutes. The referee deemed the midfielder to have stopped a goalscoring opportunity. Substitute Battrum wrapped up victory for the Hammers in added time when he raced through on goal before firing his deflected shot past Chibueze at his near post. Today’s result brought a close to Sunderland U21’s 2024-2025 campaign. Thank you for all your support throughout the season. SAFC XI: Chibueze, Jen Jones, Bell, Lavery, Bainbridge, Middlemas, Jay Jones (Scott 68’), Geragusian (Walsh 68’), Whittaker, Tutierov, Ogunsuyi (Neill 75’) Subs not used: Metcalf, Kindon.
I keep wondering if he could step up into dodds place, really good bloke and think he has a lot to offer
