West Ham United Stroll Past Stevenage in Preseason Win
West Ham United continued their preseason with a convincing 5-0 win over Stevenage, League One opponents who narrowly missed out on the play-off finals last season. The Hammers' best XI took to the pitch in the first half, with James Ward Prowse and Taty Castellanos impressing in their performances.
What happened?
James Ward Prowse looked in fine form, popping up all over the pitch with excellent defensive blocks and dynamic runs forward. Taty Castellanos also buzzed around, finishing well from Bowen's lovely through pass. The Argentine forward has the ability to make this a huge season in front of goal.
Why it matters for West Ham United
The win is a positive sign for Nuno's side, who are looking to build on last season's performances. The team's ability to dominate a League One opponent will give them confidence heading into the new season.
What comes next?
West Ham United will look to build on this momentum as they continue their preseason. The team will face new challenges and opponents, but they will be hoping to replicate the performance they showed against Stevenage.
The only cloud on the horizon was Golambeckis' ankle injury following a bad landing. Fingers crossed it is nothing too serious to spoil a pretty satisfying evening for Nuno and fans alike. Fearon turned creator for Jet Murphy to tap in a fifth in the dying seconds: Job done for Nuno's side and some impressive preseason contributions in front of a very vocal away end.
West Ham United's number 8 certainly looked good and popped up all over the pitch in the first '45 with a couple of excellent defensive blocks as well as some – surprisingly – dynamic runs forward and a goal taken at the second attempt after firing a shot at the 'keeper's legs. Taty Castellanos buzzed around and looked strong, finishing well from Bowen's lovely through pass whilst under pressure: You'd just sense the Argentine forward has the ability to make this a huge season in front of goal. With no Potts or Earthy due to illness, this was, without several internationals, West Ham's best XI who played the first half: Ten changes at half time with only Golambeckis staying on the pitch. Second half line up: Areola, Golambeckis, Robinson, Mayers, Battrum, Casey, Orford, Fearon, Cornet, Ajax, Marshall. Stevenage upped their game to force three or four saves from Areola before they in turn made wholesale changes at 60 minutes. Lewis Orford's side footed shot bent into the far corner underlined an 'effortless' performance (according to James Collins commentating) – a brilliant third goal that put the game beyond doubt, Perhaps it has done enough to flag him up to Nuno as one to keep with the main squad this season. In case we'd forgotten him, Alphonse Areola pulled off a really high class save late on to remind everyone that he's still around. Casey's shot cannoned in via Josh Ajala for the fourth. The only cloud on the horizon was Golambeckis' ankle injury following a bad landing: Fingers crossed it is nothing too serious to spoil a pretty satisfying evening for Nuno and fans alike. Fearon turned creator for Jet Murphy to tap in a fifth in the dying seconds: Job done for Nuno's side and some impressive preseason contributions in front of a very vocal away end.
