West Ham’s talented academy squad came up just short in the final of the National League Cup, losing out in the cruellest manor after holding a lead for most of the game: [Fin Herrick’s](https://www.claretandhugh.info/herrick-the-hero-as-earthy-sends-west-ham-to-last-16/) error allowed Borehamwood to equalise and go on to win the penalty shoot out that ensued.
The Hammers had taken the lead thanks to **Lewis Orford** and striker **Josh Landers** – who now finds himself heading back to Borehamwood on loan until the end of the season.
[West Ham’s web](https://www.whufc.com/en/news/josh-landers-joins-boreham-wood-on-loan) site reveals that Landers may need to hit the ground running as the National League side approach the business end of their season:
_“The 19-year-old forward heads to the promotion-chasing Wood, who are targeting a place in the English Football League for the first time in their history._
_The Hertfordshire side currently sit fourth in the National League table, with their place in the end-of-season play-offs all but guaranteed._
_Landers, who joined the Irons from Hibernian in January 2025, has scored nine goals in 30 appearances for our U21s this term, including one in our eventual penalty shootout defeat to Boreham Wood in the National League Cup final._
_He could make his debut for Luke Garrard’s team when they make the long trip to Truro City on Saturday.”_
Landers must have been disappointed to see fellow academy striker **Dan Cummings** play for Nuno’s seniors in a friendly against Ipswich Town today: Hopefully he’ll be making his own headlines helping Borehamwood get promoted to League 2.