Premier League International Cup Group D, Wednesday 11th February
On a sodden Wednesday evening in Dagenham, I was there to watch some U21 football and the final Group D game at Victoria Road as West Ham welcomed Belgian side RSC Anderlecht to East London, the Hammers were trying to end their campaign with on a high after three defeats from three so far, whereas the visitors knew a win would take them through into the next stage of the competition.
Now Group D consisted of eight teams, with the top two going through to the next stage of the tournament, Borussia Dortmund & Manchester United occupied those top two places, both on nine points from their four games played, Anderlecht were two points behind those teams and knew a win would take them through in top spot having picked up seven points from their three games thus far.
West Ham occupied the final position in the Group after losing all three of their games so far, but could they deny the Belgian's a route into the next round and finish their otherwise disappointing PL International Cup campaign for this season on a high, they had pushed Dortmund all the way in their last outing but came out on the end of a narrow loss, so Anderlecht would not have this their own way for sure & would have to work hard for the win, if it was to come.
The visitors certainly stared on the front foot looking for that early goal to settle them down, but this never came and once the Hammers settled they began to press high and cause the visitors some uncomfortable moments in their final third, and with 17 minutes on the clock the press brought about the opening goal, Tyron Akpata won the ball off the visitors before nudging the ball into the path of Dan Cummings before he lashed home a brilliant strike and hand the hosts the early advantage.
Anderlecht tried to respond and saw an effort blocked by defender Jephtah Medine loop up and onto the bar and out for a corner, and that West Ham press almost yielded a second goal when Joe Scanlon forced the defence into an error, rounded the keeper, but could only place his effort against the visitors post, Cummings then forced a good stop from visitors keeper Michiel Haentjens.
The visitors ended the half strongly though and Hammers keeper Tom Wooster had to be smart to smother a late effort, and they continued to throw bodies forward in the second period too as they knew they needed two goals at least to qualify for the next stage, Wooster had to make a good save at his near post from Amine Mahroug early in the second half.
Anderlecht were a threat from set plays, Alexander De Ridder crosses were a constant threat, with Kais Barry & Terry Van de Ven both heading decent chances off target, but the hosts defence stood up to the majority of what was thrown at them as they battled gamely to maintain that lead they had earned early in the first period.
West Ham though did have chances to kill the game off on the counter as the visitors committed bodies forward, Riley Hargan struck the outside of the post from outside the box, & another break saw the wrong option taken and the chance snuffed out, meaning it remained tense as the game went into the latter stages.
Van de Ven then volleyed over and more late pressure from the visitors was repelled by the hosts who held on to record a fine win to end their campaign on a positive note, and thus denying Anderlecht a passage into the next round as they suffered their first defeat in the competition when it mattered the most, meaning Dortmund and United go through from Group D.
Sadly this wasn't the end of the battle as there were some rather unsavoury scenes after the final whistle, chiefly caused by the manager (I assume!!!) of Anderlecht who refused to shake hands with anyone from the hosts on more than one occasion, made a bee line for the referee who he wasn't happy with, this caused some friction between both sides and it ended with some loosing their heads, mainly the visiting players, two of which totally lost theirs, punches were thrown and plenty of handbags scattered too as it threatened to get really ugly.
Thankfully some sort of order was restored, but it really was not the end to the evening anyone wanted, Anderlecht were clearly frustrated at losing the game and going out as a result, but the actions of their manager and some of their players wasn't great, and rather embarrassing as well, but sometimes passions can run high, this is a competitive sport so there you go.
Anyway well done to the young Hammers side who battled hard for that win, they go out as well but they go out with their heads held high for sure and at least end their campaign with some points to show for it.
Full time West Ham United U21 1 RSC Anderlecht U21 0
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