Cheltenham Town 0-2 West Ham United

  • by Staff Writer #3
  • Wednesday, 23rd August 2017

United are through to the third round of the EFL Cup following a 2-0 away win at Cheltenham.

Goals from Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew in a three minute spell just prior to the break were enough to ensure The Irons' presence in the next round.

There were question marks over the goalkeeping for both goals as Robins' custodian Flett appeared to go down too slowly to keep out Sakho's slightly scuffed effort, whilst the 'keeper showed too much of the goal to Ayew who had latched on to Sakho's pass, enabling the Hammers' no.20 to pass the ball into the far corner.

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The home side had their moments in the second period and had a good shout for a penalty when Eisa nutmegged Masuaku on the edge of the box. There was some debate as to whether contact had been made inside or outside the box but the location of the incident proved academic as referee Langford waved play on.

Man of the match and birthday boy James Collins almost crowned his 34th birthday with a header that was deflected over, whilst Ayew and Byram also went close for the visitors.

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However, the closest either side went to adding to the goal tally came with 15 minutes to go when Pell's shot-cum-cross across the face of the goal just eluded Holman's desperate slide in at the far post.

That was about as good as it got for a Robins side who, for all their hard work probably just lacked the quality in the final third that might have seen them gain some reward for their efforts.

So it's United who now await news of the draw for the third round, which for unfathomable reasons best known to the authorities will be taking place in Beijing at 4:15am UK time.

We'll bring news of the draw later in the morning.


West Ham Utd: Adrian, Byram, Collins (c), Ogbonna, Masuaku, Rice, Noble (Kouyate 73), Obiang, Fernandes (Quina 88), Ayew, Sakho (Hernandez 64).

Goals: Sakho (40), Ayew (43).

Subs not used: Hart, Fonte, Cresswell, Haksabanovic.

Cheltenham Town: Flatt, Forster, Grimes, Boyle (Dawson 45), Cranston, Pell, Atangana, Storer, Winchester, Eisa (Holman 71), Wright (Graham 64).

Subs not used: Lovett, O’Shaughnessy, Bower, Thomas.

Referee: Oliver Langford.

Attendance: 6,259 (1,094 away).

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