Highlights & Reaction | U18s defeated at Arsenal

Arsenal U18s 3-1 West Ham United U18s
U18 Premier League South, Sobha Realty Training Centre, Saturday 25 January 2025, 11am GMT

West Ham United U18s fell to a 3-1 defeat against Arsenal U18s in the U18 Premier League South at Sobha Realty Training Centre on Saturday.

Elisha Sowunmi’s early penalty gave the young Hammers a deserved lead, but goals from Max Dowman, Daniel Oyetunde and Ceadach O’Neill saw the hosts claim all three points.

The Hammers made an energetic start, pressing effectively and enjoying plenty of possession in the opening exchanges. Despite their early momentum, it was West Ham goalkeeper Fin Hooper who was forced into the first save of the game, producing a fine stop to tip Ife Ibrahim’s effort over the bar.

Moments later though, West Ham’s early pressure paid off. A clever, lofted pass from Gabriel Caliste released Andre Dike, who was brought down in the box by O’Neill. A deserved reward for their early momentum. Sowunmi, who had already converted four penalties this season, stepped up and calmly sent Khari Ranson the wrong way for his 13th goal of the campaign.

Despite an uptick in Arsenal pressure having fallen behind, the Hammers backline remained solid and disciplined, regularly catching the Gunners attackers offside. The visitors could have doubled their lead before the half-hour mark. A flowing move starting from Hooper in goal saw the ball progress through midfield before Dike picked out Sowunmi with a cutback. Sowunmi’s first-time strike was heading for the bottom corner, but Ranson made an impressive low save to keep Arsenal within one.

That missed chance proved costly as Arsenal found their equaliser in the 34th minute. A cross-field ball from captain Will Sweet found O’Neill on the right, who pulled it back to Dowman. With his back to goal, Dowman’s shot slipped through Rayan Oyebade and Hooper to level the score.

The game remained evenly poised heading into half-time, with the Hammers holding their own against an Arsenal side growing in confidence.

West Ham began the second half brightly, showing intent down the flanks, earning a corner in the first few minutes. Both sides would exchange early blows with Dowman’s dangerous free-kick forcing another strong save from Hooper, while at the other end, Dike’s effort on the counter was dealt with by Ranson.

The Gunners took the lead in the 69th minute through substitute Oyetunde, who finished off a well-crafted move. Dowman’s cross from the right found Josh Ogunnaike, whose cushioned header set up Oyetunde to poke the ball home from point-blank range.

West Ham fought hard to find an equaliser, while at the back, Jethro Medine, Aaron Kamara, Rayan Oyebade and Joe Scanlon worked well to thwart Arsenal’s counter-attacks.

However, the hosts all but sealed the victory in the 83rd minute. O’Neill shrugged off his marker on the edge of the box before rifling a powerful strike into the roof of the net.

The Hammers continued to push until the final whistle, carving out half-chances and threatening in dangerous areas. Deep into stoppage time, they were handed an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Dike was fouled in the box. However, Ranson guessed the right way to save Dike’s penalty and quickly smothered the rebound, denying West Ham a late consolation.  

Arsenal U18s: Ranson, Clarke, Onyekachukwu, Sweet ©, Ogunnaike, Ibrahim, Julienne (Akolbire 84), Dowman, O’Neill, Zečević-John (Oyetunde 61), Annous
Subs not used: Talbot (GK), Chapman, Casey

Goals: Dowman 34, Oyetunde 69, O'Neill 84

Booked: Julienne

West Ham United U18s: Hooper, Medine, Scanlon (Montague 90), Kamara, Oyebade ©, Nwosu (Unwin 79), Sowunmi (Obi 79) Caliste, Chigwada (Balogun 66), Hargan, Dike
Sub not used: Nightingale (GK)

Goal: Sowunmi (pen) 16

Booked: Caliste, Nwosu, Scanlon

Coggin: We need to be better in both boxes. That’s what today’s game came down to

A result which fails to reflect the efforts of the young Hammers, lead coach Lauris Coggin was keen to emphasise his team’s positive moments, especially in the first half.

“I think we had large spells of dominance," he said. “Going 1-0 up was a big moment for us. But we then allowed them to get a foothold for five or ten minutes and they equalised. As a young group, we need to understand that you have to suffer in those moments and make sure you get through that. We need to be better in both boxes. That’s what the game came down to today.”

With key players Airidas Golambeckis and captain Preston Fearon joining fellow scholars Josh Ajala, Ezra Mayers and Emeka Adiele in the U21s set-up, Coggin took a moment to acknowledge the progress of the U18s who have transitioned to Rush Green.

He added: “The first half of the season has been fantastic, with five scholars progressing into the U21s. I’m really pleased for those players because it’s what they deserve. Our role within the Academy is to create a pathway, giving the players the tools and the skills to progress, so I’m pleased not just to see them in the development squad, but seeing them be a big part of their starting team.”

Up Next...

West Ham United U18s return to Premier League South action next weekend on Saturday 1 February when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at 11am GMT.

U18 Premier League South