West Ham ease through in Andorra despite Diafra Sakho red card
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Updated 09/07/2015 at 21:24 GMT
West Ham recovered from an early red card for Diafra Sakho to beat FC Lusitans 1-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate, sending them into the second round of Europa League qualifiers, while Aberdeen scraped through on goal difference against Macedonian side Shkendija.
Diafra Sakho
Image credit: Imago
Having scored twice in the first leg, Sakho had a night to forget in Andorra as he will now miss the second-round qualifying clash with Maltese side Birkirkara.
Elliot Lee's first ever goal for the Hammers was enough to secure the 1-0 win on the evening a wrap up a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate success.
Slaven Bilic had been criticised by Lusitans coach Xavi Roura for disrespecting his side by not being involved in the opening leg - but the new West Ham boss was on the touchline to see his side progress with ease.
With the majority of his first-team squad returning to London following a pre-season training camp in Dublin, it was another side balanced with both youth and experience.
James Tomkins again captained the side with Joey O'Brien making his 100th appearance for the clu,- as Matt Jarvis and Morgan Amalfitano also started.
The night got off to a bad start however, with last season's top goalscorer dismissed following an incident off the ball that saw the Lusitans players surround referee Anders Poulsen - who obliged their calls for Sakho to be sent off.
Despite the early setback, the visitors were in front seven minutes later as Sakho's strike partner Lee opened his Hammers account.
The 20-year old coolly converted Matt Jarvis' flick to grab the only goal of the night - although he threatened a second moments later but was knocked off the ball as he ran through on goal.
There were late chances for both sides as Lee came close to adding a second late on but his curling effort bent the wrong side of Gerardo Rubio's post, before Tomkins was on hand to clear Alfi Conteh-Lacalle's injury-time free-kick off the line.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen also made it through to the next round of qualifying but were made to sweat for it by Macedonian side FK Shkendija.
After drawing the first leg 1-1 away, Aberdeen closed out a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie, with on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward making a good diving save late on.
The Dons will play Croatian side Rijeka in round two of qualifying, with the first leg due to be played in one week's time.
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