Herrick The Hero as Earthy Sends West Ham to Last 16

West Ham’s Academy of Football continues to deliver the goods — and this time it was the U21s making headlines with a sensational 1-0 win away at League Two outfit Colchester United in the Vertu Motors Trophy round of 32.

The EFL trophy is one of my favourite tournaments, allowing academy youngsters the opportunity to play against senior players from League 1 & 2 clubs.

It was a night to remember for Finlay Herrick, who put in a heroic performance between the sticks to keep the Irons ahead — capped off by a dramatic stoppage-time penalty save to deny Micah Mbick and seal the victory.

But it was George Earthy who made the decisive impact early on. The midfielder – who looks a class above at this level – showed his England youth pedigree by calmly slotting home from 12 yards after Emeka Adiele’s clever cutback. That 17th-minute goal proved enough to send Greg Lincoln’s side through in front of over 1,500 away fans. . . incredible!

Adiele almost grabbed a second before the break, while Earthy, Ryan Battrum and Mohamadou Kanté all went close as West Ham threatened to kill the tie. But Colchester came roaring back, with Will Goodwin firing just wide and the hosts piling on the pressure in the second half.

Step forward Herrick. The 19-year-old goalkeeper produced a string of top saves — including a crucial final one to deny Mbick from the spot after Kanté was harshly adjudged to have fouled Owura Edwards.

The result sees West Ham become the first Academy side to reach this stage of the competition and equals Aston Villa’s record run from last season.

Next up? AFC Wimbledon in the last 16 — and on this evidence, Lincoln’s lads have no reason to fear anyone particularly with an army of West Ham fans following them around.