Academy midfielder Grady Diangana netted his third goal of the season as West Ham United defeated Fulham 1-0 at Little Heath on Saturday.
The home side struck with just three minutes left on the clock when winger Joe Powell squared for Diangana to fire home under little pressure at the back post – making it six wins in their last seven Barclays U18 Premier League matches.
West Ham made two changes from the side that extended their unbeaten run to six games at Swansea City. U16 right-back Mason Barrett came into the defence to replace the injured Jake Eggleton, whilst England U16 left-back Vashon Neufville was the preferred choice over Alfie Lewis, meaning winger Oscar Borg moved into a more attacking role.
In the early stages of the game, the hosts were bright and good in possession as they looked to open with an early goal. On several occasions though, striker Idris Kanu and midfielders Powell and Diangana struggled to work clear opportunities on goal.
With 23 minutes on the clock, West Ham felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Kanu expertly turned his marker inside the area before being dragged to the floor, although the referee opted not to point to the spot.
Minutes later, Kanu managed to turn the same defender again and got a shot away at goal, but unfortunately his low drive only flashed across the face without another Hammer on hand to finish.
After the break, West Ham kept up their bombardment of the Fulham goal as they hunted for the opener, but again the visiting defenders held strong to deny Powell, Diangana and Kanu.
With just over ten minutes left on the clock, the visitors had their best chance of the game when Harrison Paton tried to catch Tim Brown off his line from distance, but the Hammers stopper just about managed to get back to dive and save the shot.
In the final few minutes, the hosts stole all three points when a quick counter-attack saw Powell drive towards the byline, before his low cross was pounced upon and buried at the back post by Diangana.
The result give the Hammers a sixth victory in their past seven games and takes them to seven games unbeaten in the Barclays U18 Premier League South, where they remain in fourth place.
West Ham’s Academy are back in action on Saturday 7 November, when they travel to Leicester City.
U18s: Brown, Barrett, Rice, Akinola, Neufville, Carter, Sylvestre, Diangana, Powell, Borg, Kanu
Subs not used: Forde, Longelo, Alese, Wells
The home side struck with just three minutes left on the clock when winger Joe Powell squared for Diangana to fire home under little pressure at the back post – making it six wins in their last seven Barclays U18 Premier League matches.
West Ham made two changes from the side that extended their unbeaten run to six games at Swansea City. U16 right-back Mason Barrett came into the defence to replace the injured Jake Eggleton, whilst England U16 left-back Vashon Neufville was the preferred choice over Alfie Lewis, meaning winger Oscar Borg moved into a more attacking role.
In the early stages of the game, the hosts were bright and good in possession as they looked to open with an early goal. On several occasions though, striker Idris Kanu and midfielders Powell and Diangana struggled to work clear opportunities on goal.
With 23 minutes on the clock, West Ham felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Kanu expertly turned his marker inside the area before being dragged to the floor, although the referee opted not to point to the spot.
Minutes later, Kanu managed to turn the same defender again and got a shot away at goal, but unfortunately his low drive only flashed across the face without another Hammer on hand to finish.
After the break, West Ham kept up their bombardment of the Fulham goal as they hunted for the opener, but again the visiting defenders held strong to deny Powell, Diangana and Kanu.
With just over ten minutes left on the clock, the visitors had their best chance of the game when Harrison Paton tried to catch Tim Brown off his line from distance, but the Hammers stopper just about managed to get back to dive and save the shot.
In the final few minutes, the hosts stole all three points when a quick counter-attack saw Powell drive towards the byline, before his low cross was pounced upon and buried at the back post by Diangana.
The result give the Hammers a sixth victory in their past seven games and takes them to seven games unbeaten in the Barclays U18 Premier League South, where they remain in fourth place.
West Ham’s Academy are back in action on Saturday 7 November, when they travel to Leicester City.
U18s: Brown, Barrett, Rice, Akinola, Neufville, Carter, Sylvestre, Diangana, Powell, Borg, Kanu
Subs not used: Forde, Longelo, Alese, Wells