It is fair to say Finlay Herrick, potentially West Ham United’s future number one, has bounced back from that stoppage-time spill in the National League Cup final defeat to Boreham Wood.
With 93 minutes on the clock and Greg Lincoln’s young Hammers only seconds away from silverware, Herrick dropped a speculative effort into his own net before failing to save any of the penalties in the eventual spot-kick heartbreak.
Ghosts, consider yourself exorcised.
Fin Herrick is certainly the best West Ham academy keeper we’ve seen in years. When wil Nuno give him his first-team debut?
Because although Italy would come from 3-0 down to claim a draw in a six-goal thriller with England’s Under-20s on Friday, Finlay Herrick kept out a penalty on his first appearance since his Meadow Park nightmare a week-and-a-half ago.
Of course, it won’t bring West Ham United the National League Trophy. But it will do Herrick’s confidence the world of good.
Finlay Herrick heroic as West Ham United kid shines on England duty
Finlay Herrick during Manchester City U21 v West Ham U21 - Premier League 2
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Early on, before Herrick guessed right to deny Matteo Lavelli from 12 yards, the long-serving Hammers starlet started what the official England Football website described as a ‘flowing’ move, resulting in Tommy Watson’s opener.
Former West Ham goalkeeping coach Linus Kandolin highlighted Herrick’s ‘unbelievable’ qualities with the ball at his feet a few months back.
Clearly, the 20-year-old is very much a goalkeeper for the modern game; a ‘sweeper keeper’ as sure-footed with his feet as he is with his hands. Well, most of the time.
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Herrick pulled off a series of impressive saves before Italy’s comeback, by which point he was on the bench following the introduction of Aston Villa teenager Sam Proctor.
Josh Ajala and Preston Fearon feature in Italy clash
Even in that Boreham Wood defeat, Herrick showcased the occasional flash of ‘world-class’ potential. The West Ham starlet has a knack for saving penalties – that mid-March cup final aside – and his denial of Lavelli was another to add to the collection.
A spot-kick specialist with a penchant for stunning reflex saves and a fine range of passing.
Areola has only ONE YEAR left on his contract?
Should we keep him? Or move on?
Alphonse Areola of West Ham United during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Ham United and Brentford on March 09, 2026 in London, England.
While West Ham are again being linked with Hull City’s Ivor Pandur – the Croatian was reportedly on their radar back in 2025, too – Nuno Espirito Santo may already have Alphonse Areola’s long-term successor under his nose.
Josh Ajala and Preston Fearon would come off the bench during that Italy clash in Rome, too.
Ajala, Fearon and Herrick were three of six young Hammers called up to represent England at youth level during the international break, alongside Ezra Mayers, Airidas Golambeckis and the similarly-named, shot-stopping starlet Finlay Hooper.
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