West Ham United are one game away from a second successive trophy-winning season at youth-team level; and that is despite the absences of Mohamadou Kante, Lewis Orford and Ezra Mayers on Tuesday night.
Josh Ajala scored twice against Tamworth to fire the Hammers Under-21 side to the final of the National League Cup.
Less than a year ago, Ajala hit another brace as West Ham United’s Under-18s defeated Reading in the Premier League Cup final. This knockout specialist landed another perfect uppercut to Tamworth’s chin, much to the delight of reserve-team boss Greg Lincoln.
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Soungoutou Magassa of West Ham United on the ball whilst under pressure from Tyrese Shade of Burton Albion during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Burton Albion and West Ham United at Pirelli Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. Burton Albion's English Forward #09 Jake Beesley jumps to head the ball whilst under pressure from West Ham United's French midfielder #55 Mohamadou Kante during the FA Cup fourth round football match between Burton Albion and West Ham United at the Pirelli stadium in Burton Upon-Trent, central England on February 14, 2026.
They certainly did it the hard way. With 20 minutes to go and the visitors 1-0 up through Preston Fearon, Luis Brown got himself sent off and goalkeeper Finlay Herrick was needed to keep out a Tamworth penalty.
Furthermore, Lincoln did not have Mohamadou Kante, Lewis Orford or Ezra Mayers at his disposal due to their FA Cup involvements a few days earlier. George Earthy and Callum Marshall are also currently out on loan at Bristol City and Bochum, while Emeka Adiele left to join FC Utrecht on deadline day.
Six players who, earlier in the season, would have made up over 50 per cent of Lincoln’s best XI.
Fortunately, Ajala is still here, even if French and German clubs are sniffing around the West Ham kid.
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Speaking after Ajala’s stoppage-time brace secured the Hammers a final clash with Boreham Wood, Lincoln expressed his belief that these cup heroes could follow in the footsteps of those on the verge of Nuno Espirito Santo’s first-team roster.
“I think it was a game that had absolutely everything,” Lincoln told the club’s official website. “You enter these competitions to be exposed to senior football, and you saw that tonight. The crowd had a huge influence on the game as well.
“Again, we took a great following. The supporters really got behind the team and energised us. I think you could see the impact they had on the players.
“We talk a lot about formative experiences that prepare players for the next stage of their development, and it’s very difficult to recreate that on a training pitch. Nights like this, under the floodlights, with a crowd, with that intensity, are exactly what they need.
“The boys would have seen that at the weekend as well [as West Ham beat Burton Albion 1-0], with Lewis Orford coming on and Mo Kante and Ezra starting in the FA Cup. Experiences like tonight help prepare them for when their opportunity comes, whether that’s in the first team or out on loan.
“Our job is to get them ready for that.”
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Kante made his first West Ham start at the Pirelli Stadium. Orford is back in the building now and picking up the odd senior minute following a forgettable loan spell with Stevenage. Joe Cole singled out Ezra Mayers for praise in Staffordshire, meanwhile, following another commanding performance from the 19-year-old leftie.
Herrick may fancy his chances of climbing the ladder next, given that he was on the bench against Burton. But with his contract running out and interest from abroad, decision time is looming for Ajala.
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Josh Ajala of West Ham in action during the National League Cup match between Sutton United and West Ham United U21 at VBS Community Stadium on December 17, 2024 in Sutton, England.
“We tried to tweak the shape a little bit and we went positive by bringing on another striker. I think that was a reward for the resilience the players had shown,” Lincoln adds after his youngsters left it late in the Midlands.
“Every single player, the way they defended the direct play, the long throws, the corners, it was relentless. But they dealt with it. And by doing that so well, we always knew we had the quality in the team to hurt them.
“You’ve seen it throughout the season. The fast, free-flowing football, the speed, the agility, the skill, it’s there in abundance. Those goals showed that. We got our rewards for doing the difficult stuff first. There’s never been any question about the quality of football we can play.
“We’ve earned the right to be in the final. It’s another excellent formative experience for the group.
“Boreham Wood are a very well-coached side. I know Luke Garrard very well, he’s a personal friend of mine, so it’ll be another great challenge for the players. But I’m sure it’s one they’ll relish.”
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