With better finishing from first Lewis Orford and then Reagon Clayton, Preston Fearon could – and perhaps should – have recorded two assists inside the first three minutes of West Ham United’s National League Cup final defeat at Boreham Wood.
There was less than 60 seconds on the clock when the 18-year-old playmaker rolled a perfectly-weighted pass into Lewis Orford’s path.
Orford screwed his effort wastefully wide of the post.
Moments later, West Ham United’s number seven then spun on a sixpence and threaded a delicious through ball in behind an unsuspecting Boreham Wood backline. Left-wing back Reagan Clayton ran onto it but could not beat the onrushing Ted Curd.
Heartbreak for Herrick and West Ham! 😩
What did you make of that National League Cup final loss?
Finlay Herrick of West Ham United during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City U21 and West Ham U21 at Joie Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Adding a real, consistent end-product to his game over the last few months, Preston Fearon had 13 goal contributions in 32 Under-21 matches before Tuesday evening.
That his tally of assists stays at three is just another source of frustration on what would become a night of missed opportunities.
Preston Fearon was West Ham United’s standout in National League Cup final
Last pre-season, shortly after making his first senior appearance against Manchester United in the USA, captain Jarrod Bowen said West Ham had a ‘special talent’ in Preston Fearon.
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It is easy to see what he meant. Fearon is one of those footballers who, even at such a young age, just looks so naturally impressive. He makes it look easy.
Preston Fearon and Mohamadou Kante celebrate during Milton Keynes Dons v West Ham United U21 - Vertu Trophy
Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images
A former Chelsea youngster, Fearon’s touch, vision and decision-making was a cut above even the likes of Orford, Tyron Akpata and the incredibly highly-regarded Josh Ajala at Meadow Park.
Bowen highlighted Fearon’s penchant for a nutmeg – even the skipper has been left red-faced by the teenager on the training pitch – and he dug into his deep bag of tricks in another dazzling first-half moment.
Fearon skipped by a Boreham Wood defender later on in a masterful first-half showing. Not for the first time, his final ball would be devoid of takers.
‘Special’ Preston Fearon is adding goals to his game! 😮💨
How do you see his West Ham career developing?
Preston Fearon of West Ham United U21 in action during the Vertu Trophy match between Milton Keynes Dons and West Ham United U21at Stadium mk on September 16, 2025 in Milton Keynes, England.
Mark Noble predicts Fearon will take the next step soon
Still, 13 goals and assists in 33 matches showcases Fearon’s extraordinary development in the final third. Last season, he failed to provide even one of either across 14 Under-21 appearances.
No wonder sporting director Mark Noble feels the sky is the limit, and a first-team berth a very realistic ambition.
“Preston’s come really far, he’s a fantastic young player,” Noble said in October when Fearon signed a new contract. “His vision is second to none. He knows his pass. He’s athletic. A very clever player.
“I always say to the Academy boys, ‘you don’t get many chances at first-team level because the quality is that strong in the Premier League. Once you get a chance, you’ve got to take it’.
“I believe Preston has got a chance, I really do. I want the boys to not become complacent after signing a new contract. I want to push them to the next level. Never take it for granted, they’ve got to work hard to play for West Ham.
“You’ve got to stay hungry and it’s down to us to keep them hungry and keep pushing them. He’s got all the ingredients to be a top player and I look forward to seeing him continue pushing towards first-team football.”
The phrase ‘too good for the level’ comes to mind. Be it elite Under-21 talent at Premier League rivals or senior opposition in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup, he is never usually far away from the Man of the Match discussion. One suspects Fearon will not be playing youth team football much longer.
Whether that means he joins the fringes of the senior squad – a la Ezra Mayers and Mohamadou Kante – remains to be seen. Do West Ham send him out on loan to an EFL outfit, like they did with Freddie Potts for instance?
And amid claims that a young central midfielder is on the radar this summer – West Ham have been linked with Flamengo’s Evertton Araujo and Bayern Munich’s Noel Aseko – is Fearon showing that the chequebook should be kept in David Sullivan’s pocket?
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