Kane Taylor opened the scoring early on but the Hammers hit back just minutes later through Callum Marshall.
We held the lead at half-time when Josh Adam scored with a well-taken strike, but Gideon Kodua’s goal in the second half saw Brian Barry-Murphy‘s side have to settle for a draw.
WHAT HAPPENED
Having made a promising start to their league campaign, the Hammers kicked off with plenty of confidence at the Joie Stadium, producing some nice link-up play in midfield and keeping City at arm’s reach.
However, Barry-Murphy’s side proved themselves to be clinical, as our first attack resulted in a goal.
Micah Hamilton worked himself a yard of space inside the area thanks to some tidy footwork, before lifting a delicate ball into the path of Taylor, who just had to stab home the opener past keeper Jacob Knightsbridge, giving us the lead with barely five minutes played.
Unfortunately, our advantage didn’t last for long as West Ham, picking up from their confident start, drew themselves level just three minutes later when striker Marshall was sent through on goal before firing past George Murray-Jones at the near post.
As the first half went on, you could sense City growing into the game and we started to find our rhythm, with goalscorer Taylor at the heart of most link-ups, laying off for sprinting midfielders from deep and finding space down the left for the on-rushing Hamilton and Tom Galvez.
Emilio Lawrence‘s warning shot confirmed City’s control of the game, stinging the palms of Knightbridge with a fine effort from a tight angle, but City’s dominance soon produced results.
A well-crafted move from the left-wing resulted in the ball landing at the feet of Adam on the edge of the area, and the midfielder took his chance with a well-taken shot flying past the keeper to give us the lead back.
Into the second half, the game opened up with action happening end-to-end, without many opportunities being created.
But it would be the visitors who made the next breakthrough, robbing the ball in midfield before a fine low cross from Marshall found Kodua at the back post to tap home a simple finish past Murray-Jones on the hour mark.
In the closing half-an-hour, the heavens opened and our slick passing moves provided opportunities, with Taylor’s effort flashing wide of the far post whilst Knightbridge was called into action to keep out Hamilton.
But despite City having more of the chances to win the game, the goal never came for us and we had to settle for a point at the Joie Stadium.
HOW WE LINED UP
City: George Murray-Jones, Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Max Alleyne, Tom Glavez, Jacob Wright, Emilio Lawrence (Ashton Muir, 63’), Josh Adam (Jaden Heskey, 63’), Justin Oboavwoduo (Michael Okeke, 90+1’), Kane Taylor, Micah Hamilton.
Unused substitutes: Michael Okeke, True Grant, Joel Ndala.
West Ham: Jacob Knightbridge, Dan Chesters, Luizao, Lewis Orford, Levi Lang, Kaelan Casey, Gideon Kodua (Sean Moore, 88’), Patrick Kelly, Callum Marshall, George Earthy, Ollie Scarles (Reagan Terry, 88’).
Unused substitutes: Michael Forbes, Mason Terry, Junior Robinson.
WHAT IT MEANS
Our winless run extends to three games in all competitions, leaving us 18th in the Premier League 2 table with five points from our opening six games.
UP NEXT
The EDS’ attention will now turn to our UEFA Youth League tie against RB Leipzig.
Barry-Murphy’s side will be looking to build on their 5-2 win against Red Star Belgrade at the Stadion am Cottaweg.
Kick-off in Leipzig will be at 13:00 (UK) on Wednesday 4 October.
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