Viborg 0 West Ham 3

by Hughie Southon

West Ham cruised into the group stages of the European Conference being sent on their way by Gianluca Scamacca’s second goal of the play offs.

With Said Benrahma grabbing a lovely second and Tomas Soucek a third they crushed the Danish outfit on aggregate 6-1 despite the home side threatening at times.

However, with the Italian front man looking a very good player indeed and Angelo Ogbnonna showing he is coming back to his best at the back the hammers were full value for their 3-8 win on the night.

The home side made a quick start but the Hammers defence  held their nerve and slowly built their way into things

And although the game was dour rather than deliriously exciting, they had the lead after 22 minutes clipping home from inside the goal area from a fine right wing cross.

The Danes had their moments notably when Christian Sorensen on the left and he sends a dipping strike just wide before Jay-Roy Grot pushed  through on the left before hitting a strike from distance just wide.

He then  slipped through on goal close to half time before his shot was palmed away by Areola who then reacted quickly  to deny Justin Lonwijk on the follow up.

But the Irons extended the aggregate score to 5-1 when Benrahma drove home an early second half goal from a neatly hooked ball through the middle by Cornet.

Tomas Soucek added a third – his first of the season – when stabbing home from a Cresswell cross in the 62nd minute as the Irons cruised on

They should have added a fourth five minutes later when Scamacca released Benrahma who slipped a pass to Cornet but he blazed over from close range.

A comfortable win but in fairness the Danes certainly tested us at times and we will need more as we return to the Premier League at the weekend.