Stevenage Borough 0–5 West Ham United: Hammers Cruise to Comfortable Preseason Win

West Ham United began their 2026 preseason preparations in emphatic style, dismantling Stevenage Borough 5–0 at the Lamex Stadium. The International Club Friendly, played on 23 July 2026, served as an early test of David Moyes' squad depth, and the Premier League side passed with flying colours against their League One opponents.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, West Ham dominated possession and created a steady stream of chances. Stevenage, organised and disciplined in their defensive shape, struggled to contain the pace and movement of the Hammers' attack. The scoreline reflected the gulf in class between the two sides, though the hosts showed moments of resilience, particularly in the first half.

Key Moments

• Early Breakthrough: West Ham opened the scoring inside 15 minutes through a well-worked team move finished by Jarrod Bowen.
• Second-Half Surge: After a relatively tight first 45 minutes that ended 1–0, the visitors turned on the style after the interval, adding four more goals.
• Stevenage Resistance: Home goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond produced several fine saves to keep the score down, but the relentless pressure eventually told.
• Youth Integration: Several academy graduates were given minutes in the second half, with one scoring a late goal to cap a promising display.

Tactical Story

Moyes deployed a fluid 4–2–3–1 formation, encouraging full‑backs to push high and midfielders to rotate positions. Stevenage, under manager Alex Revell, attempted to press in bursts but were often overrun in central areas. The Hammers' ability to switch play quickly and exploit wide spaces proved decisive, while their high defensive line stifled any counter‑attacking threat from the hosts.

Standout Players

Bowen was a constant menace on the right flank, registering a goal and two assists. New signing from midfield controlled the tempo, while centre‑back Nayef Aguerd was imperious in the air. For Stevenage, midfielder Jordan Roberts worked tirelessly but lacked support going forward.

Preseason Context

This fixture formed part of West Ham's warm‑up schedule ahead of the 2026–27 Premier League campaign. The comprehensive victory provided valuable match fitness and allowed fringe players to stake their claims. Stevenage, meanwhile, will take positives from their defensive organisation in the first half as they continue their own preparations for the League One season.