While Nuno Espirito Santo’s first-team were held to a 1-1 draw by Southend on Saturday afternoon, West Ham United’s Under-21s would go one better some 30 miles away in Canvey Island.
Despite putting out a very strong XI at Roots Hall – Jarrod Bowen, Taty Castellanos and Dinos Mavropanos all started – West Ham couldn’t find a winner in Essex.
Mark Robson’s youngsters would not have the same problem.
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With only five minutes remaining at Canvey Island’s Park Lane ground, Gabriel Caliste picked up the ball on the right hand side and picked out Jephtah Medine darting in at the far post.
Medine finished well on the volley.
As for the man who set up West Ham United’s first of the day for Josh Landers – right-back Junior Robinson – his inclusion on Robson’s team sheet may have elicited some confusion.
Junior Robinson skippers West Ham United in Canvey Island win
After all, Junior Robinson was officially released by West Ham when his contract expired at the beginning of July. The Hammers confirmed that the youngster’s deal would not be renewed following a couple of disappointing loan spells at Livingston and Boreham Wood.
Yet, here he was three weeks into the 2026/27 campaign. Not only assisting Landers’ opener, but also creating a hatful of chances during what proved to be a stand-out performance against their opponents from the Isthmian League North.
Did we mention he even captained the side?
So, the question is, why? Why is Robinson still playing in claret and blue despite his contract having expired nearly a month ago?
Well, this is fairly common at academy level. Players in Robinson’s position are occasionally allowed to keep training and playing in friendly matches until they can find themselves a new club.
Maybe the Hammers offered him a short-term or trial contract, covering the summer, in the hope that a couple of eye-catching displays like the one at Canvey Island will make it easier for Robinson to find employment elsewhere.
Robinson joined West Ham 16 years ago, after all, entering the academy at the age of just six. He has played 88 matches at Premier League 2 and Premier League Under-18 level.
So it is good to see the Hammers use pre-season as a way to help someone who has spent his entire footballing life in claret and blue. Robinson deserved better than to be cast out into the wilderness without a second thought.
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If there were scouts from any high-level non-league or lower-level EFL clubs in attendance on Saturday, Robinson’s all-action performance down the right-hand side will surely not have gone unnoticed.
“It was nice to get back playing again,” Robson said shortly after Medine’s winner. “The boys have had a couple of weeks of training and were chomping at the bit to get back out there. For us, it’s great because it gives me an opportunity to look at some of the younger lads that have come in.
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Robson was without a host of U21 regulars. Josh Ajala, Airidas Golambeckis and Finlay Herrick featured as West Ham’s first-team took on Southend just down the road. Ryan Battrum may soon graduate to a first-team role, if his new shirt number is anything to go by.
“We’ve got some second-year scholars who played for us today, and they had to deal with big, powerful players,” Robson added. “It was a really great learning experience. It was physical at times, which again is a good thing for the boys. Some of them have not played against men before, so it would have been an eye-opener for them.”
“They competed really well. When we play in the National League Cup, they’ll be up against men in that and that’ll be a challenge for them, so it’s good to see them cope with it today. It’s something that the boys will have to get used to further down the line in their careers.”
“It’s great that the lads [Ajala, Golambeckis and co] got on and had an opportunity [vs Southend]. I’m really pleased for them. It’s brilliant for us because that’s what we want. We’re hoping that some of them can compete in the Championship this year.”
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