West Ham's Under 23s will be playing in Division One of next season's PL2 after winning tonight's play-off final at Newcastle.
A Toni Martinez brace was enough to secure a berth in next season's top flight for Terry Westley's youngsters, who came from behind to steal a 2-1 win at St James Park.Clinical.@AntonioMtnez_29 fires the U23s level!
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) May 16, 2017
[1-1] #COYI #PL2 pic.twitter.com/UgQaQ4Hu84
Tom Heardman put the hosts ahead on the night with 19 minutes on the clock as he converted Kyle Cameron's header from close range. But Martinez levelled the scores on the stroke of half time as he fired across Magpies 'keeper Nathan Harker.
The goal that sealed promotion arrived nine minutes after the restart and once again, it was that man Martinez on target. Trying his luck from 25 yards out, with little else on, the Spanish forward's dipping drive flew over the head of Harker into the far corner.
West Ham Utd: Raphael Spiegel, Kyle Knoyle, Olatunji Akinola, Declan Rice, Noha Sylvestre (Stephen Hendrie 42), George Dobson, Moses Makasi, Daniel Kemp, Toni Martinez (Joe Powell 84), Nathan Holland (Grady Diangana 52), Martin Samuelsen.
Subs not used: Nathan Trott, Jahmal Hector-Ingram.
Goals: Toni Martinez (44, 54).
Booked: George Dobson (89).
Newcastle Utd: Nathan Harker, Callum Williams, Owen Bailey, Stuart Findlay, Kyle Cameron, Jack Hunter (Dan Ward 78), Dan Barlaser, Jamie Holmes, Liam Smith (Luke Charman 64), Adam Wilson (Victor Fernandez 58), Tom Heardman.
Subs not used: Otto Huuhtanen, Michael Newberry.
Referee: Tom Nield.
Attendance: 1,824.
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