Remi Coddington’s teammate Thierry Nevers scored a hat-trick – his first goals as West Ham United Under 23s recovered from an early deficit to hit Southend United for five in pre-season.
Coddington was an unused substitute, as kicking off in front of a noisy returning crowd at Roots Hall – a rendition of ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ was followed by ‘We’re All Going on a European Tour’ - but it was a trip to much nearer Essex which attracted a vocal band of Claret and Blue-clad supporters.
The Hammers were off-key in their defeat to National League side Ebbsfleet United last week, and made a slow start in Essex when loose passing allowed Matthew Rush’s early shot across goal to find the bottom corner.
But rather than allow their heads to bow, the young Hammers rose to the challenge, equalizing through Nevers’ smart header after Amadou Diallo had seen a shot from distance parried out.
Jamal Baptiste then headed the Hammers in front before half-time from an Emmanuel Longelo corner, before another Nevers header and a tap-in arrived either side of Mesaque Dju’s thunderbolt.
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