A first half header from Gianluca Scammaca, a long range goal from Jarrod Bowen and a tap in from Michael Antonio ease West Ham United to a win over Danish visitors Viborg FF.
With David Moyes sat in the stands, West Ham kicked off their European campaign against Danish side Viborg FF.
The visitors settled into the game quickly, moving the ball around well in the middle of the field. However, this did not lead to much as both sides struggled to create anything in the final third.
Aside from a few half chances, the opening 20 minutes were a tame affair. This changed however just after the 20 minute mark when Maxwell Cornet beat his opposite number twice and delivered a cross from the left wing. Gianluca Scamacca rose highest in the box and the £30m man grabbed his first goal for his new team.
The goal seemed to breathe some life into the home team as they started to dominate possession. Scamacca’s confidence was clearly starting to grow as he tried a long range effort which drew a decent save from Lund.
The Hammers started to take control of the game in the latter stages of the first half despite not creating a plethora of chances. Viborg had a couple of long range efforts in the run up to half time that were comfortable for Areola, the visiting side really struggling to test the West Ham keeper.
Viborg started the second half the better of the two sides with West Ham looking lackluster in attack. However, as time wore on the Hammers started to grow into the game. Harrison Ashby had a long range shot which troubled Lund but that was all there was to shout about in the opening stages of the second half.
It was Jarrod Bowen – West Ham’s best attacking threat – that extended the lead for the London side. A stunning strike from outside the area, hit low and hard leaving the keeper with no chance of a save.
Many would have expected West Ham to make the game comfortable from this point. However, five minutes later the visitors got themselves back in the game. A cross from Sorensen found a flying Jakob Bonde who powered a header in at the far post. From here, Viborg started to look the better side. An absolute thunderbolt of a strike from Mortimer was tipped over by Areola.
West Ham put the game beyond doubt with just over 10 minutes of regular time left. Said Benrahma providing a tap in for Michael Antonio after taking on multiple Viborg defenders. Antonio nearly got his second minutes later after a cross from Coufal found Antonio at the back post, with an outrageous overhead kick nearly found the back of the net.
The visitors provided a good account of themselves in the first leg of this tie. Their performance will give them confidence going into the second leg next week.
S.W. Sports Journalist 