
A second pre-season match for West Ham saw a trip to the Chigwell Construction Stadium, the home of Dagenham and Redbridge.
Today's match saw Lukasz Fabianski keep his place in the eleven ahead of Wes Foderingham. Changes come in the defence as West Ham opt for four defenders, rather than the three we saw line up against Ferencvaros. Max Kilman kept his place, with Emerson Palmieri, Kurt Zouma and Kaelan Casey coming into the side.
Just the one change further up the pitch as Mohammed Kudus made way for youngster Callum Marshall.
As for Dagenham, Paul Kalambayi made way for Harry Phipps in defence. Elsewhere, Dion Pereira, Reece Grego-Cox and Frank Vincent entered the eleven, whilst Oscar Rutherford, Conor Lawless and 'Trialist Z' were left out. Trialists A, B and C began on the bench for the Daggers.
-
Story of the Match
The first three minutes were evenly contested between the two sides, though it was West Ham who had the first chance. Playing through the middle and left side, Cornet found Ward-Prowse on the 18 yard box who cut it back to Orford, though his shot was wide.
Merely a minute later however, a mistake at the back saw Grego-Cox latch onto a misplaced pass and shoot hard and low towards Fabianski, who was able to stop the strike,
New signing Luis Guilherme had his first chance of the game shortly after, cutting in on the right to force a save from Justham between the sticks. Both Marshall and Ward-Prowse attempted to latch onto the loose ball but saw it cleared for a throw-in.
West Ham began to gain control after a hectic first ten minutes, producing the best chance of the game thus far. Focusing down the wing, Cornet and Emerson played it between one another and played a ball into the box. The ball scrambled around the penalty spot before being cleared once again.
Some fantastic play in the middle of the park saw Dagenham threaten Fabianski yet again, as Frank Vincent's shot across goal went wide.
Following a drink break, West Ham had yet another chance through Guilherme. A long, lofted ball was flicked on by Ward-Prowse to the Brazilian, who's volleyed effort was saved brilliantly by Justham once again.
The action began to slow as the half went on, with a Max Kilman effort sailing over the bar from 30 yards. Safe to say it was ambitious.
Brilliant play coming through the wing from West Ham once again, as Ward-Prowse pings a ball across the field to Casey, who's slight touch found Cornet. Elliot Justham parried the ball wide once again however, forcing another Hammers corner.
Substitutions for West Ham at the interval include Wes Foderingham, Nayef Aguerd, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Aaron Cresswell, Andy Irving, George Earthy, Gideon Kodua and Danny Ings.
The first chance came for West Ham once again, as Cresswell's low ball into the box met the feet of George Earthy. Unfortunately for the youngster though, his shot was scuffed wide.
West Ham opened the scoring just four minutes into the second half after the ball fell to Andy Irving on the edge of the box. The Scotsman struck the ball high past Justham and put the Hammers into the lead - an absolute peach of a finish as he scores his first goal for the club.
Some linking up between the Academy players for West Ham as Orford found Earthy with a fantastic lofted ball. However, failure to control the ball saw Earthy's shot blocked by Kalambayi.
A slow second half, with only substitutions to talk about other than the goal. Elliot Justham exited the pitch for Josh Strizovic for Dagenham after making many great stops in the first half for the Daggers.
Mohammed Kudus' impact was almost immediately noticed as his direct nature began creating many chances for West Ham. A ball across the box was parried away by Strizovic, with no one to latch on.
A lot of chances in the second half seemed to have been immediately shut down by the offside flag, though a Kudus bicycle kick attempt was not. The Ghanaian failed to connect with Irving's cross.
Three minutes of added time, though not much came from it.
-
Player of the Match - Max Kilman
Kilman showed dominance and composure at the back for the Hammers, providing the visitors with stability. Additionally, Kilman's passing and on-the-ball ability was greater than his peers, gifting him a deserved Player of the Match.

