- West Ham United U18s made it three wins in a row with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa
- Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Korrey Henry (pen) scored the goals despite Ben Johnson being sent off in the first half
- Coach Mark Phillips was delighted with his team’s endeavour and team spirit
Mark Phillips praised his team’s commitment and desire to see their 2-1 victory away at Aston Villa out, despite playing the second half with ten men.
Ben Johnson saw red on the stroke of half-time for a professional foul but goals from Jahmal Hecotr-Ingram and Korrey Henry (pen) were enough to see the Hammers through as close winner.
Phillips was delighted with his player’s effort throughout and believes the type of match that was played out will benefit them.
“With 20 minutes left, some of the people seemed out on their feet. We thought about making some changes but decided to see how the lads would get on,” said Phillips.
“We wanted to see how much commitment and desire they had when they were fatigued and the lads did brilliantly.
“Korrey and Jahmal were both a constant threat and made sure their defence was always occupied.”
The Hammers preparations were hindered when confusion surrounding the kick-off time meant they only had a few minutes to warm-up.
They responded magnificently though and were ahead inside three minutes. Joe Powell’s excellent ball over the top of the defence laid in top scorer Jahmal Hector-Ingram who showed great composure to slide the ball home.
We wanted to see how much commitment and desire they had when they were fatigued and the lads did brilliantly.
Mark Phillips
The game was end to end for the rest of the half with chances at a premium, until the stroke of half-time, when a long ball found Jake Humphries who was subsequently tugged back by Ben Johnson.
The referee showed Johnson a straight red card and although the penalty was superbly saved by RIhards Matrevics, the rebound was put away by Harvey Knibbs.
It was always going to be a rearguard effort in the second half but the Hammers were always a threat on the break, despite being down to ten men.
Jahmal Hector-Ingram terrorised the Villa defence all afternoon and was brought down in the area on the hour mark.
Korrey Henry proved a trusted penalty taker once again as he stroked the ball home for his fifth goal in his last three matches.
The Hammers had to defend for the final 30 minutes but did so superbly. Villa had Mitchell Clark sent off with five minutes to play as the Hammers saw the game out for their third win in succession.
The result means the Hammers are still top of the U18 Premier League South table ahead of their much anticipated clash with Arsenal next weekend.
WHU U18s: Matrevics; Eggleton, Akinola, Wells, Longelo; Coventry, Lewis; Johnson, Powell, Henry; Hector-Ingram. Subs not used: Ngakia, Forde, Barrett, Hamilton, Hannam.
Goals: Hector-Ingram, Henry (pen).