West Ham United Under-18s 2-0 Ipswich Town Under-18s
Goals from Josh Payne and Freddie Sears made it six wins in seven unbeaten games for Tony Carr's table-topping Academy side on Saturday.
The Under-18s were playing at Chadwell Heath rather than their usual Little Heath base but were quickly up and running. Both goals came inside the first five minutes from Junior Stanislas assists. Payne, playing again in midfield rather than his usual defensive position, broke the deadlock with a spectacular overhead kick from a free-kick and Sears then converted a right-wing cross from close range to make it 25 goals from 24 matches at U18 and reserve-team level.
Carr's team are not in action again until Friday 14 March when they go to Bristol City for a 1pm fixture. The club have moved five points clear of Southampton at the top of the table with both teams having played 24 games after Saints were beaten 2-0 at home by Crystal Palace. Arsenal are the biggest threat to holding on to first place but they were frustrated 0-0 at Norwich City and as a result are eight points adrift with four games in hand.
West Ham United: Street, Brookes, Miller, Spence, 'Gala, Payne, Stanislas (Lee 80), Edgar, Hines (Harvey 70), Sears, Kearns (Hunt 85)