West Ham U21s' season didn't quite come to the close they hoped after another loss, this time to West Brom, in the final game of the Barclays U21 Premier League.
The 1-0 defeat ensured that the Irons the season on the high that skipper Callum Driver had called for pre-match, but the lads can take heart in the narrow nature of the scoreline after the 5-2 demolition by Southampton last week.
There were chances for the Hammers to equalise after Adil Nabi’s shot was deflected into the goal by Jordan Spence in first half injury time to put Albion in front. Striker Paul McCallum, fresh from a productive loan at League Two side Aldershot, came close and Elliot Lee had a great effort stopped by the Baggies' keeper before later hitting the bar in the second half with a free kick.
Unfortunately, Matthias Fanimo was stretchered off in the first half, so our best wishes are with him. His injury made way for Irish forward Sean Maguire to put in another shift but with no goal.
That caps a very up and down season for the U21 side, which has seen the excitement of new signing Wellington Paulista, the emergence of great young talent such as Elliot Lee and some late drama, notably the last-gasp 3-2 win against Liverpool.
We will bring you reaction from players and manager on this as it arrives.
By Lucy Woolford
@lucy_whufc
