Reading U18s v West Ham United U18s
U18 Premier League South, Bearwood Training Ground, Saturday 26 October 2024, 11am BST
West Ham United U18s return to U18s Premier League South action when they face Reading at Bearwood Training Ground on Saturday (11am kick-off).
After a difficult start to the season, our Under-18s side picked up their first win of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, winning 4-2 at Little Heath.
Although the visitors raced into an early lead, the young Hammers responded with four goals of their own before the interval. Airidas Golambeckis, Elisha Sowunmi and Andre Dike were all on the scoresheet to all but seal victory before half-time.
The Royals come into the game against West Ham on the back of an eye-catching 2-1 victory away at Chelsea, which moved Reading off the foot of the table.
How To Follow…
After the final whistle, read a full match report and reaction on whufc.com, plus highlights of all the action from Bearwood Training Ground.
Opposition…
The young Royals are in a similar position, having also recorded their first league win of the season last weekend. Two narrow defeats against Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur came either side of draws against Leicester City and Fulham. They will be looking to build on the momentum from their first three-point haul of the season.
Reading currently occupy 12th in the table and have five points from seven games so far this season. Victory in Wokingham this weekend could see them climb above the Hammers and as high as seventh in the table, but a loss could see them drop to the bottom of what is an increasingly congested league table.
Recent history in this fixture overwhelmingly favours West Ham. The Irons have won their last six fixtures against Reading. These two sides met last in January, where we ran out 3-0 winners courtesy of a double from Josh Ajala and Emeka Adiele.
Ones to watch...
A number of young Hammers have caught the eye in the early stages of the season.
Elisha Sowunmi has started the season in red-hot form and is expected to be particularly influential again this weekend. The 17-year-old, who was on the pre-season tour in Spain with the U21s, has scored three goals in six games, including a stunning goal in last weekend’s maiden U18 Premier League South win over Spurs.
Sixteen-year-old Airidas Golambeckis continues to go from strength to strength. Having made his England debut for the U18s last month and built on that in October, defender Golambeckis continued his goalscoring form on his return from international duty, also netting his third goal of the campaign in the 4-2 win over Tottenham.
The Story So Far…
Several unfortunate injuries and commitments from last year’s standout performers with the U21s have meant a bit of a reshuffle coming into the 2024/25 season.
Despite a slow start to the season, it was always felt that a first win of the campaign wouldn’t be too far away, and it duly arrived in style last weekend as the Hammers deservedly recorded a 4-2 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Numerous U16s players have been provided the opportunity to play up the age groups and have taken the step up in their stride. With Lanre Awesu, Chinaza Nwosu and Dike away on international duty with England’s MU17, there could be further opportunities for the Academy of Football youngsters to shine.
With a first victory of the season behind them, Coggin’s young Hammers will be eager to enjoy a consistent run of results, starting with tomorrow's trip to Reading.
