It looked like West Ham United's Under-21's were in for an emphatic victory against Boreham Wood. However, the Hertfordshire side came from two goals down to tie the National League Cup final. Boreham Wood then won the match on penalties.
Boreham Wood–West Ham U21 National League Cup player ratings
Below, we're rating the West Ham players on a scale of 1 to 10.
Goalkeeper and defenders
Finley Herrick (GK): 5
Finley Herrick could do little to stop Abdul Abdulmalik's goal. However, the goalkeeper did spill Aaron Henry's equalizer from range. Herrick was also unable to stop any of Boreham Wood's penalties in the shootout.
Tyron Akpata (RB): 5
Tyron Akpata was taken off at halftime for Jethro Medine, who allowed Abdulmalik to run around the back of him to get one back for Boreham Wood. Medine was then beaten easily by the Boreham Wood forward, who hit the crossbar.
Airidas Golambeckis (CB): 5
The West Ham captain often got drawn in too easily. He just managed to squeeze his penalty kick in.
Josh Briggs (CB): 6
The Northern Irishman was solid and slotted in his spot kick.
Rayan Oyebade (LB): 7
Rayan Oyebade was not afraid to put his body on the line for his team. He also made some vital clearances.
Midfielders
Ryan Battrum (CM): 7
Ryan Battrun got forward often and saw his header bounce off the post. Slotted in his penalty in the shootout.
Lewis Orford (CM): 8
Missed a great chance early on, but Lewis Orford redeemed himself. The midfielder scored the goal to give the Hammers the lead. Orford also converted his spot kick.
Regan Clayton (CM): 7
Regan Clayton was able to put in some excellent crosses.
Forwards
Preston Fearon (RW): 7
Was opportunistic and put some fantastic balls into the box. His through balls were also excellent. Fearon was replaced by Gabriel Caliste, who missed the decisive penalty kick.
Josh Landers (CF): 7
Josh Landers missed a great chance to score, but fortunately, Orford was on hand to bundle in the rebound. Landers did then get on the scoresheet after latching onto a long ball before slotting it past Ted Curd. Landers was replaced by fellow Scotsman Daniel Cummings, who scored his penalty.
Josh Ajala (LW): 7
The standout player from this National League Cup run was always willing to run at the Boreham Wood defenders. He was unlucky not to have won a penalty in the first half. Got West Ham off the mark by scoring the first in the shootout.
Substitutes
- Jethro Medine, 5/10
- Gabriel Caliste, N/A
- Daniel Cummings, N/A