Derby County U18s 1-3 West Ham United U18
U18s Premier League Cup semi-final, Moor Farm Training Centre, Wednesday 5 March 2025, 12pm GMT
Josh Ajala scored twice as West Ham United U18s booked their spot in the final of the U18 Premier League Cup.
The young centre-forward set us on the way with a smart finish after 16 minutes, and after Josh Landers doubled our advantage a minute later, we looked like we were comfortably on our way to the final.
But Derby carried a threat for much of the first half, and Charles Ebuka halved the deficit when he smashed home from close range.
Ajala rounded off the win by sweeping home the third, and we held out for a famous victory.
With a strong wind at our backs, the young Hammers started brightly and created early opportunities in behind, as well as putting Derby under pressure in possession to force mistakes.
We pounced to win the ball high up the pitch, allowing Ajala to drive at the backtracking defence down the left before cutting back to an unmarked Landers in the middle. The Scotsman, unfortunately, couldn't get his feet sorted in time, and his effort fell straight to the Rams’ keeper.
At the other end, Derby responded by enjoying a brief period of pressure, which saw Owen Eames force Lanre Awesu into a near-post stop, and then Demiane Agustien clipped the crossbar with the rebound.
West Ham hit back, and a fine team move resulted in the opener just moments later. The move started with a lovely pass by Landers, splitting the Derby defence to release Jethro Medine down the right. The right-back looked up and picked out an onrushing Ajala, who rifled the ball past Harley Price at his back post.
Derby had barely caught their breath before we notched our second of the afternoon little over 60 seconds later. Straight from kick-off, Landers pounced on a loose back pass from Tom Marriott and bore down on goal to finish emphatically into the top-left corner.
Elisha Sowunmi almost added a third, moving past two defenders to get in on goal, only to be denied by a good double save from Price. The young Hammers’ joy was somewhat short-lived, however, as the hosts halved the deficit midway through the first half, former Hammer Ebuka firing home from close range after being teed up by Cruz Allen.
Ten minutes later, Derby almost levelled. Awesu produced a quite stunning save to deny Ebuka after the Rams' forward unleashed a powerful header that was bound for the top right-hand corner of the net, ensuring we went in ahead at half-time.
Into the second half, and despite West Ham being in control for the majority of the game, it was the hosts who started brightly, with Agustien’s free-kick forcing Awesu to tip around the post and then sending one effort straight at our No1.
Clear-cut opportunities were few and far between, until we re-established our two-goal advantage.
After Riley Hargan had a goal direct from a corner-kick ruled for a foul in the build-up, Ajala started and finished a slick passing exchange involving Emeka Adiele.
The left-back turned his man on the left flank and embarked on a powerful, bustling run that is fast becoming a trademark before teeing up Ajala to sweep home from inside the six-yard box, finishing another lightning-quick break.
With only minutes remaining, Marriott’s long-range effort cannoned off the crossbar and over, but with that, the young Hammers battened down the hatches, the Rams’ threat was finally repelled, and West Ham booked their spot in the U18s Premier League Cup final, where they will face Reading.
Derby County: Price, Marriott, Canoville, Osayande ©, Gordon, Eames, Tola (Mintus 82), Oguntolu, Allen (Hodges 89), Agustien, Ebuka (Ward 78)
Subs not used: Rees (GK) Connell-Webster
Goal: Ebuka 24
Booked: Tola
West Ham United U18s: Awesu, Medine, Golambeckis, Oyebade, Mayers, Adiele, Fearon ©, Hargan (Balogun 89), Sowunmi (Dike 76), Ajala, Landers (Nwosu 89)
Subs not used: Hooper (GK), Kamara
Goals: Ajala 16, 75, Landers 17
Referee: Mitchell Cartwright
Coggin: It’s a proud day for our Academy
Speaking after the game at Moor Farm Training Centre, U18s lead coach Lauris Coggin spoke of his pride at watching West Ham United U18s book their spot in the final of the U18 Premier League Cup and believes it’s a proud moment for everyone connected with the Academy of Football.
“I’m really pleased for the boys,” Coggin enthused. “I thought the players showed a real level of maturity in difficult moments in the game, which you expect from any semi-final.
“In the end, we showed our quality and the moments that really mattered, we were there. From back to front, we were outstanding in regard to our work ethic and the way we adhered to our values, and the standing point is our effort, our togetherness and our attitude, which was fantastic.
“We're trying to be really progressive and push as many players into the U21s, but I think it's really important when a group comes together in competitions such as these and they're able to show the quality that we've got and also real togetherness.
“It’s a massive achievement for everyone. The whole Academy can be proud. I think in these boys' journeys, so many people played their part.
“It's about the players and the progression that they've shown. It's a fantastic achievement for the Academy.”
Fearon: It's nothing less than we deserve
For midfielder Preston Fearon, Wednesday's semi-final victory was just reward for the efforts his team gave at Derby.
The Irons' fast start ultimately paved the way for an excellent 3-1 victory, as goals from the two Joshes - Ajala and Landers - saw off the Rams.
Skipper Fearon was proud to lead the team into the Club's first-ever U18 Premier League Cup final.
“It's nothing less than we deserve to be honest," he said. "We've done nothing but work hard. We're all together this year.
“We got knocked out of the FA Youth Cup [at Grimsby Town], which we were disappointed by. We wanted to show how good we were, and the Premier League Cup is a perfect example of how really good we are - as a team together and our passion together.
“We were up for it from the first minute, and then we got the two goals that gave us momentum.
“They came out strong at the start of the second half ahead, but we stayed together as a team, and that's exactly what Lauris [Coggin] wanted.
“When we're all together, we expect nothing less than winning. We expect training and games to be high-intensity. That's exactly what the coaches think and expect from us as well.
“I don't really care if it's the first time we are in the final. I just want to win it, to be honest. I just want to lift the trophy.
“It would be great to lift the trophy with the boys. It would be my first one since three years ago, when I first joined.
“I feel like there's eleven captains on the pitch when we play, but the boys all help me in my role.
“I'm proud to be captain of this Club.”
