David Moyes’ West Ham United claimed their first victory of any description in over a month in the #SaveTheDaggers friendly at the Chigwell Construction Stadium yesterday evening, defeating John Still’s Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3, here’s five things we learned from the competitive affair.
Antonio And Hugill Stake Their Claims
Strikers Michail Antonio and Jordan Hugill fronted the Hammers’ attack together for the first time in Essex, with the latter enjoying his very first start for the club since joining from Preston North End in January.
The evening was an opportunity for both Englishmen to secure their places in Moyes’ plans for the Premier League run-in, and while only facing Vanarama National League opponents, they certainly did that.
Antonio, looking to get back in the England squad before the summer’s World Cup, struck either side of half-time with a brace, the first of those coming when youngster Nathan Holland got in the way of a Luke Pennell clearance, the ball falling back to Antonio to dink home over Mark Cousins from close-range.
The pacey attacker’s second came early in the second period to put his team two to the good, receiving a Josh Pask through-ball and getting the better of Academy of Football product Bondz N’Gala to convert past Cousins once again.
Hugill would be made to wait until the 87th minute for his, being visibly relieved after coolly finishing a Ben Johnson cross from just a few yards out, the goals proved the only strikes that the visitors could muster up on the evening and leave the pair pushing to start the next league match at home to Southampton.
Lewis Can Mix It With The Big Boys
Many members of the Claret & Blue Army were slightly surprised to see the name of 18-year-old Alfie Lewis on the team-sheet at Victoria Road, though they soon found out why.
Making his first-ever appearance for the first-team, let alone start, Lewis slotted into the centre of midfield alongside club captain Mark Noble and more than made a positive account of himself.
The starlet was cool, calm and collected on the ball, displaying a fabulous variety and range of passing and putting in a strong offensive and defensive display, more so the former, getting forward to support attacks and looking dangerous in and around the penalty box.
Lewis has recently featured for the U23 team, an age group above the U18 side that he has been a stalwart for this campaign and was a stand-out performer in many’s eyes, even earning Man of the Match for some, playing for the full 90 minutes.
With injuries aplenty in the midfield department, Moyes may even be calling on the youngster as a back-up option over the next few months as the Irons fight for their Top-Flight status and after what he showed the footballing world on Wednesday, why not?
Holland Remains A Star In The Making
Another example of an U23 star getting his chance to shine in Claret & Blue was the exciting winger Holland, who has just returned from a hamstring tear that kept him out for the best part of five months.
The former Everton man started in the right-wing position and constantly made work for the Daggers’ defence by making key passes and embarking on mazy runs, proving a threat to Cousins’ goal with his own efforts too.
Holland was heavily involved in Antonio’s opener, whether it was a slice of luck or not, deflecting the ball into the path of Antonio, claiming an assist, nine months after his competitive senior bow and only other appearance against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
However, he wasn’t the only bright prodigy to turn first-team heads on the night with plenty of his comrades also getting their chance, including the defensive duo of Pask and Johnson, who both also picked up assists for the second and third goals respectively.
In addition, the likes of versatile defensive options Joe Powell and Tunji Akinola, midfielders Anthony Scully and Mason Barrett and Brazilian forward Bernardo Rosa would see some action, vital experience in their development in the Academy.
Bloomfield Loves Playing Against Hammers
Young Dagenham striker Mason Bloomfield provided the home supporters with something to cheer about on their big night by getting on the scoresheet, but it wasn’t his first goal against West Ham.
Bloomfield, 21, also netted the last time that these two sides met when an Irons Xl travelled to the Victoria Road for a pre-season friendly before the start of the 2017/2018 campaign.
His strike then came as a consolation from the penalty spot in a defeat and the story would be very much the same this time around, expect he didn’t convert from the penalty spot, even closer in fact.
With Still’s trailing 0-2, they looked for a way back into the game and Bloomfield provided that, smashing past Adrian San-Miguel from very close range after a clever ball across the area from Dan Sparks.
In truth, it could have been a lot better for the former Chelmsford City man if he had been able to finish an excellent headed chance early on, Luke Howell and Chike Kandi also came within inches of changing the game on what was a huge night all around for the home side.
Supporters Turn Out To Help Cash-Strapped Daggers
Despite the visiting East Londoners running out the victorious team on the pitch, the evening’s real winners were Dagenham, whom the fixture was set-up to help.
The National League outfit are in desperate need of a money boost having fallen on hard financial times and last night’s fixture was played to help out the #SaveTheDaggers campaign, which was set up to avoid the club going into administration.
All the proceeds, including the gate and other profits made from the fundraising match, will be going towards the worthy cause of keeping the ex-League One side’s noses above the water.
An impressive crowd of almost 5,000 spectators turned out in support at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, a ground that is also used by West Ham’s U23s and occasionally U18s.
Each fan watching the match saw the full amount paid for their ticket go to the Daggers with many members of the Claret & Blue Army showing up for their much-smaller East London neighbours, it is hoped that the friendly and other fundraising schemes can keep the 26-year-old team in existence over the coming months.
Attentions for both of these two teams will now turn back to domestic league action, Dagenham host AFC Fylde in another vital Conference clash next on Saturday afternoon and the Hammers welcome the Saints to the London Stadium on the first Saturday after the International break.
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