Youths beat Arsenal

Our under-18 side beat Arsenal 2-0 at Little Heath in their FA Youth Academy match on Saturday morning.

Goals from Kyel Reid and Hogan Ephraim sealed the three points and secured a 'double' over the Gunners following a 2-0 win at their place earlier in the season.

Hammers opened the scoring after 20 minutes when a good move resulted in a cross from the right finding Reid, who finished well.

Arsenal fought back and dominated the second half, but couldn't find the all-important equaliser, and were made to pay with just 10 minutes remaining, when a superb individual effort from Ephraim made sure of victory.

Academy Director Tony Carr said afterwards: "It was a good performance from the boys and we bounced back well after a couple of defeats and draws in recent weeks.

"Arsenal actually played very well and dominated the second half, but we dug in and caught them on the break late on to seal the victory.

"Scoring the early goal was a big factor - something we have failed to do recently - and it was nice to keep a clean sheet at the other end."

Hammers: Blackmore; Andrews, Spence, Tomkins, Widdowson; Cowley, Hales (Welsh 55), Collison, Reid (Jeffery 70); Ephraim (Harvey 81), Hines. Subs unused: Ngala, Henry.