EDS maintain unbeaten PL2 start with fine win over West Ham

After a goalless first half, the game burst into life shortly after the restart with Kane Taylor and Kian Breckin both on target with their efforts sandwiched by a Hammers penalty inside the first 13 minutes of the second half.

The City youngsters then deservedly ensured we secured our third league win of the season with two further strikes in the final five minutes.

Will Dickson and Carlos Borges were both on target to round off a superb afternoon’s work for Brian Barry-Murphy’s youngsters and move us up into third place in the table.

What happened

After a cagey opening period, City’s possession game saw us step up the ante after keeper Josh McNamara had comfortably dealt with a Reece Clayton header.

Dire Mebude forced a double save from Hammers keeper Krisztian Hegyi after firing in from a tight angle while Hegyi then dealt with a long-range strike from Finley Burns.

City continued to press with Mebude then fizzing in a dangerous 24th minute ball that somehow evaded all his team-mates.

Mebude then created the best opportunity yet on 28 minutes, getting in behind the Hammers defence before squaring to Oscar Bobb.

However, the Norwegian just couldn’t get enough purchase on the ball to West Ham’s relief.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic and City were indebted to keeper McNamara who produced a fine 31st minute save to deny Remy Coddington after the striker was put through on goal.

Coddington was then afforded another half chance but dragged his shot wide before City responded with a superb move which ended with a Kian Breckin effort flying narrowly off target.

Mebude was then afforded a big opportunity only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle.

The game then exploded into life with three goals with the first 12 minutes of the restart.

First, City made the all-important breakthrough on 50 minutes as Kane Taylor headed home at the far post from Oscar Bobb’s teasing free-kick.

However, the Hammers then drew level two minutes later via the penalty spot as Pierre Ekwah converted.

But City roared back on 57 minutes to retake the lead as Kian Breckin fired home a superb low left footed finish from the edge of the box.

Skipper Shea Charles was then unlucky to see a shot go just wide while sub Joel Ndala nearly made his presence felt with an opportunity at the far post.

At the other end McNamara earned his spurs once more, producing a crucial block to deny what looked a certain Hammers goal.

City then made sure of the points with a two-goal blast inside the final five minutes.

First Will Dickson fired home close range effort after latching onto a setpiece which was chipped into the heart of the box.

Then sub Carlos Borges latched onto Taylor’s inviting assist before coolly despatching a shot past Hammers keeper Hegyi to seal the deal and maintain our fine start to the campaign

How we lined up

Josh McNamara was in goal shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Finley Burns, Kane Taylor and Tom Galvez.

Skipper Shea Charles was our holding midfielder with Dire Mebude and Kian Breckin also in the engine room. Will Dickson, Oscar Bobb and Liam Smith were our attacking triumvirate.
Subs: Adam, van Sas, Borges, Ndala

What it means

A third win from five games moves City up into third place in the table. We have 11 points and lie just two points behind leaders Arsenal and second placed Crystal Palace who have also played five times.

What’s next

City’s Under-21s are next in action on Tuesday when we launch our UEFA Youth League campaign with our opening group fixture away to Sevilla Under-21s.

Kick-off in Spain is at 10.30am BST.