Some West Ham United fans have been praising Armstrong Okoflex after the teen forward scored the winning goal during their 2-1 win over Ipswich Town in the Papa John’s Trophy.
The Hammers visited Paul Cook’s League One side on Tuesday night for the opening game of the Group A campaign. The Portman Road natives broke the deadlock inside the second minute when James Norwood bundled home from close range.
West Ham were not behind for long, with Keenan Forson finding the back of the net within 10 minutes. Completing a nice move between the Irons on the edge of the Tractor Boys’ penalty area by slotting under an outstretched Tomas Holy for his first goal of the season.
Okoflex came close to putting West Ham ahead in the 24th-minute after flashing a threatening cross across the Ipswich box. No Irons player could meet the delivery, after a driving run down the left-hand channel from the 19-year-old.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international would not be denied his moment, however, and scored from the spot late on. The referee awarded Dmitri Halajko’s young challengers a penalty after Holy clattered into Jamal Baptiste with only two minutes remaining.
Okoflex stepped up and calmly slotted past Holy, who dove the right way, to seal the win for West Ham. Netting his fourth goal of the junior campaign across all competitions, after firing three in four PL2 outings. Each came in an opening day hat-trick against Arsenal.
The Hammers now top Group A of the Southern Section over League One Gillingham, who beat Colchester 1-0. West Ham face League Two Colchester next on September 28, before visiting Gillingham on October 26.
West Ham fans react to Okoflex performance vs Ipswich
Okoflex thrilled a number of West Ham fans on social media with his display against Ipswich on Tuesday night. Some have also suggested David Moyes should even now look to hand the Irish prospect a chance in the first-team.
The Irons face Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League before a Premier League and Carabao Cup double-header against Manchester United. Three fixtures in six days will likely see Moyes rotate his options and give fringe players a chance to impress.
Moyes will also likely prioritise Sunday’s clash with the Red Devils after a solid start to the Premier League season. West Ham are unbeaten after four games with two wins and two draws. Manchester United, meanwhile, top the table after three wins and one draw.
So, here are some of the messages West Ham fans have shared following Oxoflex’s Papa John’s Trophy display against Ipswich…
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