Billericay Town v West Ham United

West Ham United’s U23s recorded a comfortable victory over National South outfit Billericay Town on Tuesday with all goals in the 4-0 thrashing coming after the interval at the AGP Arena.

Substitute Sean Adarkwa’s double – which takes his pre-season Academy tally to nine goals in seven games – was sandwiched between Jahmal Hector-Ingram’s opener and Joe Powell’s late penalty as the Hammers romped home in Essex.

But following a fifteen-minute delay to proceedings due to heavy traffic, it was the depleted hosts who came close to opening the scoring.

Sam Deering eluded Hammers stopper Joseph Anang but found the acute angle against him as he looked to fire goalwards. West Ham responded with both Hector-Ingram and Powell just off target with efforts from distance.

Adam Coombes drew a smart save from Anang as the sides continued to exchange opportunities. Nevertheless, it was the Hammers – with their slick passing game – that had started to look the more likely.

Alfie Lewis was a whisker away with a speculative attempt which Joshua Strizovic was relieved to see drift the wrong side of an upright. Then, the Town keeper had to be alert, saving from Oladapo Afolayan low to his left. But it was the home side who had the final chance of the half, Deering scuffing wide after Ricky Modeste had picked him out from the right.

It took West Ham just two second-half minutes to make the breakthrough when Hector-Ingram beat Strizovic with a fizzing low angled strike from 12 yards. Town pressed for an immediate response, with Coombes firing into the side netting after Jake Robinson had fashioned an opening.

And the Hammers soon added to their advantage. Sean Adarkw, having been introduced as a substitute, was able to steady himself before firing into an empty net after Nathan Holland had raced away and provided the opportunity from the left.

The lively Adarkwa added his second – and the Hammers’ third – of the evening soon after, sweeping home after the east Londoners had seized on a defensive lapse.

Anang saved well from Coombes as Billericay continued looked to give their supporters a goal to savour. However, it was the Hammers who added to their account when Powell scored comfortably from the spot after Town defender, Jake Howes, had been penalised for a foul on sub Manny Longelo.

West Ham United’s U23s side complete their preparations ahead of their Premier League 2 campaign when they take on Watford at the Hornets’ training ground on Friday.

Billericay Town: Strizovic, Eyong, Howells, Doe, Greening, Deering (Hunte 80), Modeste (Emmanuel 69), Walton (Waldren 51), Robinson (Cunnington 69), Coombes, O’Hara

Subs not used: Alan Julian, Callum Kennedy, Dean Inman

West Ham United: Anang, Barrett (Johnson 46), Oxford, Alese (Adarkwa 64), Powell, Coventry, Belic (Rosa 64), Lewis, Afolayan (Ngakia 64), Hector-Ingram (Akinola 64), Holland (Longelo 78)

Subs not used: Daniel Jinadu

Goals: Jahmal Hector-Ingram 47, Sean Adarkwa 65, 77, Joe Powell 87 (Pen)