Tony Carr was satisfied with his youngsters' efforts at the weekend after they moved five points clear at the top of Group A of the Premier Academy League.
A 2-0 home win against Ipswich Town - secured after goals inside the first five minutes from Josh Payne and Freddie Sears - moved the Under-18s out of the reach of Southampton who went down by the same scoreline at home to Crystal Palace. Both clubs have played 24 games but the biggest threat to West Ham United are probably Arsenal, who are eight points adrift but have four games in hand after a 0-0 draw at Norwich City.
"We got off to a storming start," said a delighted Carr after the sixth win in seven unbeaten matches that saw Sears make it 25 goals in 24 U18 and reserve-team matches this campaign. "Josh Payne scored a spectacular overhead kick from Junior Stanislas's free-kick. It was a really good goal and we followed that up when Freddie scored. Junior's cross from the right. dropped into his path, he controlled it and then drilled it in from close range.
"It was two assists for Junior, two good goals and we were off to a great start," Carr added, although he felt the team could have made more of their advantage at a windswept Chadwell Heath. "We should really have gone on from there. Although we were never in any danger of losing the game, it just disintegrated into a bit of a scrappy game to be honest. The wind was playing havoc with everything and the ball was doing all sorts of tricks."
Carr was also pleased that Adam Street, who has come into the team for the injured Marek Stech (ankle), was again not beaten, with the help of defenders like Ashley Miller and Bondz 'Gala. The academy director said: "It is another clean sheet and that is a real plus for us. We ended up grateful for the 2-0 win. You couldn't call it a flowing performance but you don't get that every week unfortunately."
With each Group A club playing 28 games, West Ham United have four inter-group fixtures remaining. Each of these will be against teams from Group B, starting with the Friday 14 March trip to Bristol City, getting under way at 1pm. That is followed by the visit of Reading on 29 March, a trip to Leicester City, the 2006/07 Premier Academy League champions, on 5 April and the final-day arrival of Birmingham City on 12 April. Ultimately, the Group A, B, C and D winners will go forward to contest semi-finals and final to see who takes on Leicester's mantle.
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