Despite a strong performance, an own goal deflated the Hammers
West Ham United U18s were unlucky to lose 1-0 to their Arsenal counterparts after a strong performance went unrewarded.
From the first minute to the last, the young Hammers looked to dominate possession however it was the hosts who took the lead shortly before half-time after a ball into the box was inadvertently turned in by defender Tunji Akinola.
Under the watchful eye of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who has recently re-joined the club in a coaching capacity, it was former Gunner George Dobson who went close to breaking the deadlock after ten minutes.
The midfielder burst through the defence, and baring down on goal, forced an excellent save from the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Buoyed by the early chance, the Hammers grew in confidence with Marcus Browne and Dobson dominating the midfield.
Despite being in the ascendency, it was the hosts Arsenal who took the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances as Akinola, who had an impressive game, could do nothing to stop a cross deflect off his outstretched leg and past Tim Brown.
After the break, the Hammers refused to be cowed and they responded strongly. Defender Declan Rice, only recently returned from Ireland U17 international duty in Hungary, went close with a header.
Browne swung in a teasing delivery which Rice, candidate for man of the match, attacked viciously, yet saw it fly just over the bar.
Young striker Idris Kanu also went close, reacting quickest to Browne’s parried long-distance effort, he fired just wide from an acute angle.
The U18s are next in action a week on Saturday when they host Chelsea at Little Heath on Saturday 19 September.
U18: Brown, Sylvestre, Borg, Carter (Eggleton), Akinola, Rice, Powell, Dobson, Kanu (Henry), Browne, Diangana (Lewis)
Subs not used: Boness (GK)
From the first minute to the last, the young Hammers looked to dominate possession however it was the hosts who took the lead shortly before half-time after a ball into the box was inadvertently turned in by defender Tunji Akinola.
Under the watchful eye of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who has recently re-joined the club in a coaching capacity, it was former Gunner George Dobson who went close to breaking the deadlock after ten minutes.
The midfielder burst through the defence, and baring down on goal, forced an excellent save from the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Buoyed by the early chance, the Hammers grew in confidence with Marcus Browne and Dobson dominating the midfield.
Despite being in the ascendency, it was the hosts Arsenal who took the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances as Akinola, who had an impressive game, could do nothing to stop a cross deflect off his outstretched leg and past Tim Brown.
After the break, the Hammers refused to be cowed and they responded strongly. Defender Declan Rice, only recently returned from Ireland U17 international duty in Hungary, went close with a header.
Browne swung in a teasing delivery which Rice, candidate for man of the match, attacked viciously, yet saw it fly just over the bar.
Young striker Idris Kanu also went close, reacting quickest to Browne’s parried long-distance effort, he fired just wide from an acute angle.
The U18s are next in action a week on Saturday when they host Chelsea at Little Heath on Saturday 19 September.
U18: Brown, Sylvestre, Borg, Carter (Eggleton), Akinola, Rice, Powell, Dobson, Kanu (Henry), Browne, Diangana (Lewis)
Subs not used: Boness (GK)