Stevenage Borough 0–5 West Ham United
International Club Friendly | 23 July 2026, 02:45

West Ham United kicked off their pre-season campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling non-league Stevenage Borough 5–0 in a one-sided friendly at the Lamex Stadium. The Premier League side showcased their superior quality from the first whistle, racing into an early lead and never looking back.

Dominant First Half Sets the Tone

The Hammers wasted little time asserting control. Inside the opening 15 minutes, a slick passing move carved open the Stevenage defence, with Jarrod Bowen firing low into the far corner. The tempo remained high, and by the half-hour mark, West Ham had doubled their advantage through a Mohammed Kudus strike from the edge of the box.

Stevenage, currently preparing for their League One campaign, struggled to contain the visitors’ movement and pressing. The home side managed only one off‑target shot in the entire first period, while West Ham’s fluid front line created chance after chance.

Second‑Half Ruthlessness

Manager Julen Lopetegui rang the changes at the break, introducing several youngsters and squad players, but the intensity never dropped. Substitute Divin Mubama made an immediate impact, heading home a cross from Ben Johnson just five minutes into the half.

Further goals followed from Maxwel Cornet, who curled a delightful effort beyond the reach of the Stevenage goalkeeper, and George Earthy, who capped a fine individual performance with a composed finish after an incisive through ball.

Key Takeaways

• Clinical finish: West Ham converted five of their nine shots on target, a ruthless edge ideal for building confidence ahead of the new season.
• Youngsters shine: Earthy and Mubama impressed with their energy and composure, strengthening their cases for first‑team minutes.
• Stevenage positives: Despite the scoreline, the hosts defended resolutely for large spells and will benefit from the test against top‑flight opposition.

Match Impact

For West Ham, this friendly offers a perfect foundation. The clean sheet and prolific scoring will satisfy Lopetegui as he fine‑tunes his preferred system. Stevenage, meanwhile, take valuable lessons from facing a side operating several tiers above them; their fitness levels held up admirably, but sharpness in the final third must improve before their league opener.

The result keeps both clubs on track for their respective pre‑season objectives: West Ham building rhythm and chemistry, Stevenage sharpening their defensive organisation against varied attacks.