A drizzly Monday evening provided the backdrop for what proved to be a dramatic finish to West Ham U21’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle United.
A composed finish from Jordan Brown in the 5th minute set the standard for what would be an intense half from West Ham. Boosted by the presence of the cup-tied Michail Antonio, the side looked good value for a second with a number of marauding attacks down Newcastle’s right flank. Brown and Antonio seemed to have good chemistry, and together the two were relentless in denying Newcastle stopper Brendan Pearson a moment’s peace.
Though West Ham had been the better of the two sides, Newcastle equalised in the 33rd minute as the Mapgies’ Sean Longstaff rounded the keeper and passed back to a waiting Ivan Toney. Despite conceding, Spiegel shone throughout the half and made a number of fantastic saves against a Newcastle side which was growing in confidence.
Fan-favourite Samuelson also had an impressive half. The Norwegian youngster caused problems with his dribbling prowess, and there were appeals for a penalty when he was brought down heavily inside the area in the 38th minute.
Half time saw the side change from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2, with new signing Luka Belic replacing Jordan Brown up front. Manager Steve Potts’ decision to pair the Serbian striker with Samuelson proved questionable as the latter struggled to compete with the physical strength of Newcastle’s back four. This vulnerability was rectified in the 68th minute as Amos Nasha replaced Parfitt-Williams, allowing for Marcus Browne to push up from midfield and Samuelson to shift to the right wing.
West Ham were the poorer of the two sides after the break. Though Leo Chambers made a number of excellent challenges at the heart of a tiring defence, the side conceded what seemed to be an endless stream of set pieces in their own half. Left back Stephen Hendrie had been the side’s best tackler in the first 45 minutes but appeared to lack fitness as the match progressed. Newcastle’s Jack Hunter seized upon this weakness and looked dangerous as he cut inside a number of times down the Hammers’ left flank.
Having threatened for much of the second half, it came as little surprise when Newcastle’s Callum Roberts gave his side the lead in the 87th minute. Perhaps with thoughts of leaving early to beat the traffic, Hammers fans were given cause for celebration in the 89th minute when Belic found himself through on goal. Unable to reach the ball Pearson brought the striker down in the box and referee Anthony Da Costa had little hesitation in pointing to the spot. The ground erupted as Samuelson sent the keeper the wrong way, slotting the ball home in the left-hand corner with ease.
Despite securing a much-needed point, West Ham still languish at the bottom of U21 Premier League Division Two. Though first team player Antonio was the side’s standout performer, Brown, Spiegel, and Samuelson’s performances are likely to have given Hammers fans a degree of optimism for the future of the youth squad.
Full time: West Ham U21 2-2 Newcastle United U21
