West Ham United U18 were pegged back by a late equaliser against Arsenal U18 at the Little Heath Sports Centre on Saturday, drawing 1-1.
The young Hammers made a fast start to their third U18 Premier League South game of the season, going ahead after six minutes when Joshua Okotcha’s exquisite pass found Daniel Chesters to put them in front.
Buoyed by an impressive performance away at Chelsea U18 last week, albeit ultimately in a 3-4 loss, the young Hammers looked dangerous throughout, producing another display full of attacking intent, but sadly lacking in the end product necessary to close the game out.
Those missed chances would come back to cost Kevin Keen’s side, as a splendid individual effort by Arsenal’s Luke Plange 13 minutes from the end of the contest resulted in honours even at full-time.
U18s coach Mark Phillips was impressed by the Hammers’ performance again this week, but rued several missed opportunities to put the game to bed, saying “We really should’ve won today.
“It was a good all-round team performance and we had a few gilt-edged chances to win the game. It was a great contest and a great advert for youth football.
“Considering we’ve played Chelsea U18 and Arsenal U18 – two of the best teams in our league – in the last two weeks, I’d say the lads have acquitted themselves more than well.”
The point means the Academy side remain in sixth place in the table, level with their north London counterparts, but five away from the summit.
Next up for West Ham United U18 in the Premier League South is a testing trip to Reading FC’s training ground, where they'll take on the Berkshire team’s U18 side on Saturday 31 August.
