West Ham United Under-18s 1-1 Norwich City Under-18s
Ahmed Abdulla's second goal in a week ensured Tony Carr's men earned a creditable draw against Norwich City at Little Heath on Saturday.
Abdulla struck with a well-taken goal early in the first half, flicking in from Daniel Kearns' inswinging corner. The visitors had already taken the lead in similar circumstances, scoring with a headed goal from a corner kick. Carr had begun without Tony Brookes and Balint Bajner, with both picking up knocks in Tuesday's disappointing early exit from the FA Youth Cup after a 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest, when Abdulla scored the consolation.
As was the case at the City Ground, Oliver Lee, along with defender Matty Fry, was among the brightest performers in the Hammers' ranks - the midfielder rattling the crossbar in the second half in a lively display. Abdulla and Christian Montano also had good chances to get what would have been a precious victory in a game that also saw Jordan Brown needing to be replaced at half-time.
Plus points included a first start for Under-16 prospect Jack Werndly in place of the absent Bajner while Marek Stech dropped back into the U18 set-up with both Adam Street and Peter Loveday unwell. Stech had been troubled by a slight groin problem of late but has trained fully in recent weeks and was a reliable performer between the posts as ever.
West Ham United: Stech, Modelski, Brown (Barrett 46), McNaughton, Fry, Lee, Kearns, Grasser (Okus 80), Abdulla, Werndly (Montano 70), Edgar
Subs not used: to follow