Academy aiming to extend lead

West Ham United Under-18s go to Bristol City on Friday afternoon looking to extend their lead at the top of Group A of the Premier Academy League.

It is the first of four fixtures Tony Carr's side will play against teams from Group B to conclude the 2007/08 regular season campaign. United are three points clear of Fulham at the top of Group A although have played a game more. The biggest threat to their title ambitions are Arsenal, however, who are five points adrift but have three games in hand on their east London rivals. After the trip to Bristol, West Ham United welcome Reading (29 March), go to Leicester City (5 April) and play host to Birmingham City (12 April)

Arsenal and Fulham are also up against Group B opposition on Saturday when they go to Reading and welcome Aston Villa respectively. In Group B, Bristol City are fifth, Reading fourth and Aston Villa are top. There are four groups in total in the Premier Academy League with the winners all progressing to semi-finals next month before the national final on 3 May. West Ham United have won six of their last seven undefeated matches, with goalkeeper Adam Street unbeaten in the last three and the likes of Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears in sparkling form.

League table I Fixtures I Squad