PL2 Report: Saints 2-2 West Ham

Saints went ahead after just ten minutes; Dan N’Lundulu with his first of the season through a low driving shot across the face of the West Ham goal.

N’Lundulu’s second came early into the second half, converting a penalty won by the returning Josh Sims after just four minutes following the interval.

Oladapo Afolayan grabbed a goal back for the Hammers against the run of play five minutes shy of the hour mark.

Saints made five changes from Tuesday’s late EFL trophy defeat to Stevenage; amongst those being the return of Josh Sims from injury and Angus Gunn in for Harry Lewis between the sticks.

Christoph Klarer and David Agbontohoma came into the heart of the defence, whilst Tom O’Connor started at left-back and Kayne Ramsay went back out to his usual right-back role.

Saints put West Ham under considerable pressure early doors; N’Lundulu having the first shot of the game after just three minutes, turning and shaping before curling an effort just wide of Joseph Anang’s left post.

A considerable break in play occurred just six minutes in, Agbontohoma going down after a heavy challenge and being replaced by Pascal Kpohomouh, eventually on 10 minutes.

But it didn’t dampen Saints’ intent during the game, with N’Lundulu breaking free and firing the hosts ahead just seconds after the restart.

The number 9 hit a fierce, low effort across goal meaning the Hammers keeper had no chance and Horseman’s side had a deserved early lead.

His confidence continued to flow as the half wore on; skipping past West Ham’s Tunji Akinola with a clever flick before looking for the top, far corner but narrowly hitting his effort over.

Shifting back to a centre-half following Agbontohoma’s early withdrawal, Ramsay did well to clear up any possible danger as Sean Adarkwa attempted to break for the visitors.

Saints continued to dominate proceedings; Kegs Chauke finding the out-wide Alex Jankewitz with an audacious through ball on 23 minutes but keeper Anang was quick to close down inside the box.

With half time approaching West Ham started to see more of the ball, but still failed to test Gunn any considerable amount as the midfield areas started to see most of the ball.

The Hammers defence also formed a far more stubborn outfit to that of the opening stages during the final ten minutes of the first half, getting bodies on the line to block efforts from Callum Slattery and N’Lundulu.

After a neat passing move involving Chauke and Sims, N’Lundulu had the ball in the net once again in first half stoppage time, only denied by the linesman’s flag meaning the score remained 1-0 at the interval.

The second half couldn’t have started much better for Saints; Sims bursting through and skipping past Anang, before being taken down by Jamal Baptiste and winning a penalty.

N’Lundulu stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, doubling the hosts’ lead after just four second half minutes.

Things took a bizarre turn in the 52nd minute, when one of the linesmen had to make way following a pulled hamstring.

Play eventually resumed five minutes later, with West Ham catching Saints by surprise and grabbing a goal back completely against the run of play.

A long-through ball from their goalkeeper was met by striker Afolayan, who breezed through the defence and slot past Gunn for a lifeline.

The goal lifted the Hammers, who tightened up at the back and began to create chances of their own for the first time during the afternoon.

West Ham’s substitute Bernardo Rosa was played through after 77 minutes, but O’Connor slid in to block a close range shot at the final moments.

Klarer had to do the same four minutes later, with the visitors pressing down the left flank and looking for runners in the box.

The Hammers had another big chance to equalise in the 86th minute but were denied by a huge Gunn save.

Two minutes later, however, West Ham were awarded a penalty of their own which skipper Coventry stepped up and sent Gunn the wrong way.

The fourth officer awarded six minutes of added time, giving Horseman’s side hope of grabbing a winner.

Both sides went onto the attacking foot, hoping for one final chance in what was a hectic afternoon.

Ramsay used his pace to burst down the wing during stoppage time but couldn’t find a cross as West Ham’s defence matched him for pace.

Another substitute for the visitors, Mesaque Dju, had a chance of his own two minutes from time, but Saints were back in numbers to prevent any meaningful chance.

Hesketh looked the liveliest out there for Saints during the finals moments, winning a free-kick in a promising, wide position in the sixth minute of added time.

But the visitors were able to clear and the referee blew his whistle for the final time.

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