West Ham United Under-19s have missed out on the chance to qualify for the final of the 2023 Premier League Next Gen Cup in Mumbai, India.
The Hammers faced South African Under-21s outfit Stellenbosch in their final Group A match, being held to a 3-3 draw that meant West Ham would finish second in the group, despite not losing any of their three matches.
Stellenbosch took the lead towards the end of the first half after a close range finish from Kyle Bailey at the end of a free-kick, but Stellenbosch were pegged back a minute later as Kaelan Casey rose highest to nod in from a corner.
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Early in the second half, Roy Keane Avontuur slotted home to put Stellenbosch back ahead, only for West Ham to level for a second two minutes later when Liam Jones latched onto a Lewis Orford long ball to lob Stellenbosch’s goalkeeper and make it 2-2.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, George Earthy was put through on goal by Gideon Kodya, Earthy slotted in to put West Ham ahead.
West Ham’s lead lasted just a minute as Avontuur got his second of the tie, running through on goal and dribbling past Hammers goalkeeper Mason Terry before converting into an empty net.
In a tense affair where West Ham needed a win to seal top spot and a place in the final, both sides were handed a red card in stoppage time following a foul on Jones, with Casey getting sent off for his involvement in it.
A second-place finish in Group A means West Ham will face second place in Group B on Thursday in the third place play-off, Wolverhampton Wanderers currently lead Group B on six points, with Everton and Reliance Foundation Youth Sports on three and battling it out for second place in that group.
Stellenbosch’s draw with West Ham saw them seal top spot in Group A, meaning they are likely to face Wolves in the final.
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