West Ham United U18s 5-4 Crystal Palace U18s
Saturday 6 January 2024, U18 Premier League South Division, Little Heath Training Ground, 11am GMT
West Ham United U18s moved top after winning a nine-goal thriller against Crystal Palace U18s on Saturday.
Jerry Umolu eventually decided the Hammers’ eleventh league fixture of the season with a well-converted spot-kick in additional time.
The striker’s effort came after eight goals were equally shared in an enthralling 90 minutes.
Kevin Keen's outfit struck last though and held on to leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur into first.
Jethro Medine opened the scoring on seven minutes for the Hammers when he converted a pass from Elisha Sowunmi.
The Irons then needed Dan Rigge’s neat finish to pull level by the break after a brace from Crystal Palace’s Zach Marsh, although the drama had just begun.
Palace's Marsh completed his hat-trick three minutes into the second half, before the three second-half substitutes, Liam Jones, Favour Fawunmi, and Jerry Umolu made their mark.
Jones and Fawunmi both struck from inside the area to put the Hammers ahead for the second time in the match.
But after George King looked to have snatched a point for the visitors, Umolu’s spot-kick, won by a swashbuckling run from Emeka Adeile, secured West Ham’s eighth league win of the season.
West Ham United U18s: Herrick ©, Adiele, Mayers, Briggs, Golambeckis, Medine (Jones 63), Nwosu (Fawunmi 63), Caliste, Sowunmi (Umolu 63), Ajala (Oyebade 77), Rigge
Subs not used: Abraham (GK)
Goals: Medine 6 Rigge 29 Jones 69 Fawunmi 72 Umolu pen 90+2
Booked: Adeile Caliste
Coggin: An important win but lessons must be taken ahead of FA Youth Cup tie
A nine-goal thriller means there was plenty for Lauris Coggin to analyse by the full-time whistle.
The Hammers snatched a win thanks to late spot-kick, but the assistant coach was adamant his side must learn lessons from the fixture.
Coggin explained: “It was an end-to-end game, and we knew you can get drawn into that situation when you play Palace.
“In their previous fixtures, there have been a lot of goals and we got drawn into a game they enjoy…but we are pleased to get the result and move top of the league.”
The assistant coach was proud of the impact of the Hammers' substitutes. Favour Fawumni, Liam Jones and Jerry Umolu all found the net after their introduction on 62 minutes.
“It was an incredible impact from them,” Coggin enthused. “It was exactly what we wanted and shows the quality we have in the group. Their impact was key; the finishes were really important for us.”
Herrick wants U18s to reach higher level next time out
It is a measure of the standards set by this group that a late winner to move top the table was still seen as a performance to improve upon.
Finlay Herrick, one of the more experienced players in this young group, admitted just that and stated that the dressing room was clear that the side must push on, despite a positive result.
Wearing the captain’s armband at U18s level for the first time, in the absence of Ryan Battrum and Tyron Akpata, Herrick stated: “It’s a bit too end-to-end for us….and we had to dig deep. The boys that came on did well and got us over the line in the end.
"It’s a ridiculous mind-set to have [that we want to improve even after getting a win to go top].
"But we’ve conceded four goals and we know honestly that we weren’t at the standards that we set. I think that shows a lot about what we are about.”
Up Next
The U18s will continue their FA Youth Cup campaign next time.
Their fourth-round tie will take place on Friday 12 January at Rush Green Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7pm.
