Reading U18s 1-5 West Ham United U18s
U18 Premier League South, Saturday 11 November 2023, 11.30am GMT
West Ham United U18s bounced back from defeat last time out as the young Hammers hit Reading for five on Saturday morning.
Jerry Umolu opened the scoring in a cagey first half with a superb strike, before the game exploded into life at the start of the second half.
Reading pulled one back after Umolu doubled his tally after the break, but three goals in four minutes saw Kevin Keen’s side race into a four-goal advantage and up to third in the U18 Premier League South division, with a game in hand on sides around them.
The Hammers enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages, but the visitors had to wait 15 minutes for their first sight of goal. Jethro Medine found space down the right wing before cutting the ball back to Dan Rigge. The No10 attempted to delicately scoop the ball into the bottom corner on the turn, but his effort rolled just wide of the post.
After a tight opening quarter-of-an-hour, Keen’s side began to create chances more frequently. Favour Fawunmi’s half volley was comfortably saved by Tom Norcott before the Reading shot stopper repelled Umolu’s left-footed effort.
West Ham’s unrelenting pressure was rewarded with ten minutes remaining in the first half, and it was a moment of inspiration from Umolu. The striker superbly controlled a long clearance before drilling the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box.
And the Irons didn’t have to wait long to double their advantage in the second half. Rigge’s impressive long pass found Umolu and the No9 impressively found the bottom right corner again.
The hosts responded immediately though as Kiyan Coke-Miles found space in the penalty area and side-footed the ball beyond Dondre Abraham.
Emeka Adeile restored the Hammers’ two goal advantage midway through the second half. Medine squared the ball to the left-wing-back who side-footed the ball into the bottom corner.
The goals continued to flow as Rigge quickly extended the visitors’ lead. The attacking midfielder smartly rounded the goalkeeper before tucking the ball into the empty net after Preston Fearon’s superb through pass.
Adeile secured his second goal of the day to round off the scoring, just minutes later as the No3 slotted the ball into the bottom left corner with his right foot after another pinpoint pass by Fearon.
West Ham United U18s: Abraham, Briggs, Mayers (Oyebade 70), Battrum, Adiele, Medine, Fearon, Caliste (Akpata 71), Fawunmi (Sowunmi 71), Rigge, Umolu (Jones 71)
Goals: Umolu 35, 49, Adeile 60, 64, Rigge 62
Booked: Abraham, Adeile
Hill hails ruthless Hammers
West Ham United U18s goalkeeper coach Daniel Hill was delighted with the young Hammers' clinical performance in a dominant 5-1 victory at Bearwood Park Training Ground.
But like all goalkeeper coaches, Hill was disappointed not to keep a clean sheet after an otherwise outstanding defensive display.
“It was a really pleasing performance from the boys today,” Hill reflected. “We’ve had a really good week in training and the boys executed our game plan to perfection. It was great for Jerry Umolu to get two goals and he took his first one exceptionally well.
“The performance today was off the back of a superb defensive display. Ryan Battrum, Josh Briggs and Ezra Mayers performed really well and we’re really disappointed to have conceded, especially since we restricted Reading to just one shot in the match. But on the whole it was a really pleasing performance from every player today.”
Despite the disappointment of conceding, Hill was delighted with the side’s response as the young Hammers would go on to score three goals in four minutes to secure the three points.
He continued: “It was a really positive response and we were pleased with a number of individual performances today. Emeka Adeile and Jethro Medine down both wings were superb and their contributions played a big part today and they really helped us to secure the three points.
“There was some brilliant attacking play and we defended really well too. We controlled the game and had a lot of possession in their half. All of that contributed to the three points today.”
Rigge pleased to bounce back from defeat
Dan Rigge was delighted to help his side to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion last time out.
The attacking midfielder explained that it was important to respond with a positive performance and result.
“It was a great performance today and we all showed our class,” Rigge began. “They couldn’t get near us when we were on the ball and that comes down to the preparation. It’s been a top week of training, the intensity has been really high and we showed that in the game today.
“We gained a lot of confidence after each goal and when we play like we did today it’s very difficult for the opposition to get near us. It was a really good result for us and it’s the perfect way to bounce back.”
The No10 provided a clever assist for Umolu’s second goal before rounding the goalkeeper to score a fourth for the Hammers.
Rigge was delighted to help the side with another two goal contributions.
“It was one of my best assists that I’ve done to be honest. It was a nice pass with the outside of my foot and Jerry is a good finisher and tucked it away.
“It was good to get a goal too and it was a great pass by Preston. I managed to show composure to go around the goalkeeper and put it in the net.”
