Middlesbrough U18s 1-5 West Ham United U18s
Saturday 25 November, Premier League Cup, Rockliffe Park, 11am GMT
West Ham United U18s reached the knockouts of the Premier League Cup following a comprehensive 5-1 win at Middlesbrough.
Lewis Orford and Ollie Scarles combined to see the Hammers open the scoring on 26 minutes when Orford found the net after Scarles won the ball in midfield.
Favour Fawunmi then added the second on the stroke of half-time - with a stunning volley - to see West Ham into a 2-0 lead, although Kevin Keen’s side weren’t done just yet.
In the second half, the U18s showed their class to take all three points, producing a clinical attacking display.
Orford was again involved, although this time the provider, as Ezra Mayers poked home his wicked free-kick, before Fawunmi added his second of the match and finished a neat move to make it 4-0 to West Ham with 55 minutes played.
Dan Rigge then hit the bar as West Ham proved too strong for their opponents.
And while the hosts would net a consolation goal through Ajay Matthews on the hour, Jemiah Umolu’s penalty, ten minutes from time, sealed a stunning win and a place in the knockouts.
The U18s had previously beaten Derby County and drawn with Arsenal to seal top spot in Group B, with seven points from their three group games.
West Ham United starting XI: Abraham (GK), Nwosu, Battrum ©, Mayers, Scarles (Akpata 75), Orford, Rigge (Jones 75), Medine, Ajala (Umolu 56), Fawunmi (Sowunmi 75)
Subs not used: Awesu
Goals: Orford 26, Fawunmi 45+2 55, Mayers 47, Umolu 80
Booked: Scarles, Abraham
Coggins praises five-star Hammers
A hugely important win was the assessment from U18s assistant coach Lauris Coggin.
The U18s topped their group with another three points and in doing so progressed to the knockouts, having taken seven points from their three group games.
“Traveling to Middlesbrough is difficult for any side but our performance in the first half was one of dominance and control,” Coggin explained.
“Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford added quality and athleticism but the experience we are able to give them as an academy is always way more important than what they give to us as a group.
“I think Favour deserves a mention because he’s shown a lot of hard work and endeavour in training. He got his two goals which is really good for him and his confidence moving forwards.”
Coggin was also pleased that the Hammers will add more fixtures to their programme.
With the league campaign split into a North and South divide, this completion gives the young Hammers a chance to play youth teams from across the country.
He added: “It was a really important win for us because it means we top the group and we extend our games programme by hopefully playing against sides we usually wouldn’t get to play against.”
Up Next
West Ham United U18s will face Leicester City next time out at Little Heath Ground on Saturday 2 December.
The match will kick-off at 12 noon.
