In case you missed it, West Ham’s u21 side overcame fifth tier Tamworth last night in the semi final of the National League cup with a superb 3-1 away win. The ‘development side’ now advance to the final to take on Boreham Wood in March – a huge feather in the cap for the youngsters and also for their head coach Greg Lincoln.
Young goalkeeper Fin Herrick – on the first team bench for the FA Cup game last weekend – created headlines with a fine penalty save to keep ten man Hammers in the game but hero Josh Ajala netted twice in stoppage time to save the Irons from a penalty shootout and see West Ham advance to the final.
Fin Herrick – a string of fine stops – including this penalty save
There’s something of as crisis developing with the talented 19 year old Ajala whose contract is running down – and who will become a free agent this summer. According to in the know journo Fabrizio Romano, Ajala has already laid the groundwork for a move away, as per last months’ confirmation:
*“West Ham talent Josh Ajala, now in talks with clubs in France and Germany as current contract expires in June. 19 year old talent can sign pre-contract soon as he’s expected to leave West Ham.*”
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It’d be a big blow for West Ham to lose another vastly talented academy youngster after Emeka Adiele headed for Utrecht and Luton took Gideon Kodua – however it is proof that the academy are producing high level youngsters and of course, there’s only so many spaces in the seniors for these very talented young stars of the future to shoot for.
It would be ironic to lose Ajala if he does it again in the final and secures a trophy for the academy side as a parting gift.