West Ham’s U21 side came back from a goal down to pick up a point against Middlesbrough. The draw away against Boro mean the Hammers guarantee a minimum of a top five finish in the PL2 as well as a home game to kick off their play off campaign.

Boro struck early, going in front in under a minute, a ball over the top led to a low cross which was turned in by Charlie Lennon. The Hammers responded well, creating pressure through neat link up play, before Lewis Orford found Kamarai Swyer with a superb lofted ball. The winger kept his cool to slot home and level things up. Moments later Tyron Akpata rattled the crossbar with a powerful free kick as the Hammers looked to edge their noses in front before half time.

It was the Hammers who looked on top after half time, pushing forward with intent, and with both Orford and Tyron Akpata dictating play in the middle of the park. Adiele came close after some slick build up play from defence to attack, and another set piece effort from Akpata was saved at the far post by the Boro keeper.

Despite both teams pushing late on to snatch the three points, neither side could find a winning goal, meaning the points were shared come full time.

Speaking after the game on whufc.com, and reflecting on his side’s campaign, U21’s lead coach Mark Robson said: “We’ve had a great season, we’ve played some fantastic football. The boys are developing, they’re getting better, and they’re learning to win. That’s as important as developing, and I think we’ve done both really well.”

With the Hammers swiftly turning their attention towards their play off campaign, Robson believes his side will go into these games with plenty of confidence: “It’s been a terrific season, I said that to the boys at the end of the game. We’ve now got to focus on what is a knockout competition. I think the belief is there. We’ll go into the play offs with that mentality.”