West Ham United U18s 0-1 Chelsea U18s
An inexperienced Hammers side were unlucky to lose out to a strong Chelsea at Little Heath on Saturday.
With the Academy side shorn of Danny Potts because of his senior-team duty and debutants in Amos Nasha and Taylor Tombides, it was a creditable display from the hosts at Little Heath. Nasha started the game in central midfield, while forward Tombides was a late replacement for Jack Powell.
Chelsea boasted the likes of England youth internationals Nathaniel Chalobah, Alex Kiwomya, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and goalscorer John Swift while there was plenty of strength in the home side's forward line via two more Young Lions in the shape of Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo, while U17 international Leo Chambers was at the back.
The Hammers went closest to ensuring a draw through Elliot Lee's header that hit the woodwork while two other decent opportunities were cleared off the line. It was a disappointing result in the end but coach Nick Haycock and Academy director Tony Carr can take plenty of positives before next Saturday's trip to Norwich City.
West Ham United: Larkins, Chambers, Young, K Lee, Shaw, Sadlier (Miles), Nasha (Siafa), Powell (T Tombides), Turgott, Fanimo, E Lee