Welsh Wonder

ACADEMY player Ishmael Welsh netted his first goal at Reserve team level in the 2-2 draw against Leicester, to help keep up an impressive record for the England Youth international.

Ishmael is yet to be in a losing West Ham United team this season, and was delighted to hit the back of the net for Kevin Keen's team as he looks to establish himself in the Hammers second-string.

"I am getting more used to playing at Reserve level," he explained. "The more games I play the more comfortable I feel.

"I was pleased to score, but credit for the goal must go to Gavin Williams who put over a perfect cross. I only had one option and that was to put the ball into the back of the net. It was a simple finish."

However, Welsh also had a hand in the first goal for Hogan Ephraim.

"I ran down the line and won a corner off my cross," he said. "From that corner we scored, so I suppose I had a hand in that one as well.

"It was a good team effort against Leicester though. It was hard to play because the rain was coming down so heavily at times, but it was a good night to play football.

"The ball started to hold up in puddles during the second-half, but both teams dealt well with the conditions. It's just a shame we couldn't hold on for the win."

Ishmael is showing some impressive form this season. The second year scholar, who was actually born in Leicester, is a pacy winger who loves to go past defenders and has started to weigh in with his share of goals as well.

His strike against Leicester came hot on the heels of his goal for the youth-team against Millwall last weekend - and in both games he came on as a sub.

"I'm pleased with my form so far," he explained, "but the important thing is for me to keep it going and the more games that I can play in the more it will help me to improve.

"It's important to keep your confidence going and hopefully get a run of games, but I am feeling very good at the moment, so hopefully that will continue.

"Now I'll have to try and keep the goalscoring run going for the youth team against Arsenal this weekend!"