Match Review: Boro U21s 1 West Ham United U21s 1

Boro Under-21s picked up a point at the Riverside in a closely contested Premier League 2 clash on Friday evening.

Charlie Lennon’s goal in the first minute was cancelled out by West Ham's Kamarai Swyer. Both sides continued to have opportunities throughout the game, but they eventually had to settle for a point.

It was the perfect start for Mark Tinkler’s side. With just a minute played, Josh Dede played a dangerous ball across the face of goal and Lennon was able to guide his effort into the bottom corner to give Boro an early lead.

The visitors had a chance of their own in a frantic opening 10 minutes. Swyer pulled his pass back to Lewis Orford on the edge of the box, but his effort could only sting the palms of Shea Connor in the Boro net.

The fast start continued when Swyer found the back of the net with just 11 minutes on the clock. Orford played an impressive pass over the top to release Swyer one-on-one with Connor and he calmly poked his effort past the Boro keeper to draw the sides level.

After equalising, the momentum was with the Hammers and Tyron Akpata almost put the visitors in front, but his free kick rattled the crossbar.

Jack Stott forced West Ham goalkeeper Finley Herrick into action before Lennon fired his effort over following a quick break. 

After the restart, both sides continued to create chances. The first fell to the visitors, but a last-ditch tackle from Cain Sykes denied Emeka Adiele a strike on goal.

Daniel James also went close early in the second period, but his strike whistled past the post.

With five minutes to go, James almost broke the deadlock, but his effort from a tight angle was saved well by Herrick.

Despite the late pressure from Boro, the visitors were able to hold on to claim a share of the spoils at the Riverside.