Nathan Trott and his West Ham United's Under 23 teammates suffered their third defeat in succession when south coast outfit Brighton & Hove Albion travelled to the Chigwell Construction Stadium and won 4-2.
This game was played in trying conditions with rain pouring down hard in Dagenham and the icy-cold breeze was blowing it everywhere!
It in the 6th minute when Trott was called into action, Anders Dreyer curled one towards goal with his left foot but Trott pushes it over the top of the bar.
It was in the 21st minute when Brighton took the lead, a free-kick came into the box from the left and it was brought down by James Tilley who laid it off for Anders Dreyer and his left-footed effort was struck perfectly and nestled into Trott's bottom corner.
In the 24th minute Brighton doubled the lead, and it was Leo Ostigard this time who scored. A ball into the box balloons into the air after a header and Trott was challenged by two Brighton players, one of which is Ostigard who jumps highest and gets the faintest of touches on the ball to turn it in.
28 mins: Having seen the ball loop over Trott's head moments ago, Connolly tries a cheeky attempt as he looks to lob the stopper on the volley, but the No1 is on hand to catch easily.
Brighton would have a third just after the half hour mark. It was center-back Ostigard again on the scoresheet. He rose highest once again inside the box to head in Tilley's corner. It was fast becoming a day to forget for the Hammers.
West Ham’s luck changed in the 35th minute as it was very nearly a fourth for Brighton but for a great Trott save. A Dreyer back-heel found Connolly who hit it across the goalkeeper, but the youngster got down well to make a solid stop.
West Ham would get on the scoresheet on the stroke of halftime. Amadou Diallo pulled one back with a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner.
West Ham would then pull within one in the 51st minute, Moses Makasi got on the end of Joe Powell's corner and turned it in at the near post! That's another set-piece assist for Powell, who has created his fair share this campaign already.
With West Ham going in search of the equalizer Brighton would secure the points in stoppage time, with Viktor Gyokeres firing across Trott into the far corner to make it 4-2.
