Milton Keynes Dons Under-18s 0-3 West Ham United Under-18s
Robert Hall struck twice as a very youthful West Ham United side featuring six schoolboys eased to an impressive away win at Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday.
The England Under-16 striker, who is due to represent his country again next month, underlined his promise with two fine strikes in the second half after Ahmed Abdulla had opened the scoring soon after the interval. Hall, who does not turn 16 until October, has impressed whenever he has featured for the U18s this season. He now has four goals from seven appearances - although Saturday was only his second start.
In difficult conditions, neither side looked like scoring during the first half of this FA Academy League inter-group encounter but it was a different story after the break. Colombian-born midfielder Cristian Montano combined with Hall to set up captain for the day Abdulla to score with a neat finish. Then, Hall struck his first midway through the half after good work again from Montano in tandem with Nick Barrett.
The third goal was all about the young forward as he turned on the ball on the edge of the penalty area and rifled in an unstoppable shot. The win was particularly pleasing for Carr as he was without several of his regular U18s because of Friday's reserve-team friendly at Chelsea - an impressive 4-2 success - and the second string's Barclays Premier Reserve League outing at Stoke City this coming Monday night.
Full reaction to follow
West Ham United Under-18s: Adam Street, Miles Smith, Callum Driver (Jack Werndley 80), Paco Craig, Callum McNaughton, Sergio Sanchez, Cristian Montano, Nick Barrett, Ahmed Abdulla, Robert Hall, George Moncur (Danny Subuola 70).
Sub not used: Dominic Vose