West Ham United fell short of Wembley, losing on penalties to Leeds United yesterday afternoon. The game was as dramatic as they come, with the Hammers scoring two goals in stoppage time to force extra time before they thought they had two winners prior to penalties.
Late into the 120 minutes, West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola jumped for a cross and landed awkwardly, appearing to injure his ankle. The 33-year-old was unable to continue, with no Mads Hermansen on the bench, 20-year-old Finlay Herrick was given the call.
The young shot stopper came on for the final minutes before saving Joel Piroe’s penalty to begin the shootout. Herrick got close to next three but could not stop the Hammers from dropping out of the competition.
After the game, the goalkeeper spoke to the club’s official website, saying how proud he was to make his debut for the club.
“Mixed emotions overall. I mean, I made my debut, I’m buzzing. I’ve been at the Club for years, but I wish I could have helped out a little bit more for the team because the semi-final at Wembley would have been a dream for a lot of players here.”
Despite it being his first senior match, Herrick believes he could have saved more spot kicks.
“I’ll be critically harsh on myself and say that maybe one of them I should have maybe done slightly better with, but saving the first one, it was euphoric. It was unbelievable.”
From the acadamy to the first-team for West Ham’s young shot stopper
Herrick has been with West Ham for 14 years, making his debut a long time coming.
“I joined when I was six in the Pre-Academy and I’ve gone through every single age-group. I’m trying to stay calm, but that’s a massive thing for me and especially my family watching as well. I was very nervous and I’m sure they are as well.”
With his family in the stands, it was a full circle moment for the 20-year-old and he doesn’t want to stop at just one game.
“I could be here for half an hour! I’d like to thank my Mum and Dad. Dad was here, Mum’s watching from home. My sister’s boyfriend was here and of course my girlfriend, she’s been a massive support. She sees everything, how happy I am, how sad I am.
“My parents have been the ones who have travelled God knows how many times to the training ground and back and forth and up to Newcastle away as a nine-year-old and all of that stuff.
“My entire family is massively a reason why I’m here today, so it’s a big thank you to them.”
Herrick will be in the squad for the rest of the season and could remain in the matchday squad on Friday, given Areola’s injury.
“It’s a positive for me, but I’m trying to think about the team as well. We’ve obviously got a lot of tough games ahead and a big opportunity, so the focus just moves on now. I know it’s a very tough one to take, but we’ve got a game on Friday and it’s almost on to the next because that’s just how it is.
“Every game coming up is more important than the last. Every game is now a cup final. That’s just how we have to treat it. It’s three points or nothing. All we have to get is three points.”
