West Ham United U18s began their U18s Premier League South season with a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal.
At London Colney, the Hammers were indebted to Finlay Herrick who kept Arsenal at bay with a string of saves throughout the fixture. He made a good stop to deny Osman Kamari early on, although the hosts took the lead with their next attack.
Daniel Oyetunde found the net with 18 minutes played, slotting the ball past the on-rushing Herrick, with a neat touch, before tapping home the opener into an empty net.
Having taken a knock to his nose when challenging for the ball, Dan Rigge was unable to continue and was replaced by Blaise Uwandji with just over 22 minutes played.
Arsenal would soon double their lead when Louie Copley struck from the edge of the area. Herrick, at full stretch, could not keep the effort from finding the top corner.
In response, the Hammers threatened most when Liam Jones was over set-pieces. The No11’s left foot found some stunning deliveries in the first half, although none in Claret & Blue could find the net.
His free kick from the edge of the area was then well-saved as the Hammers sort to the halve the deficit.
Arsenal pushed for a third and looked to set to find one if Mayers had not intervened, recovering well, with a well-timed challenged to deter the Arsenal No9. He later found space behind once more but was fettered by another good stop by Herrick.
Uwandji also struck over on the half-volley, while Ajala had another half-chance to get his shot away in the second half after a good press from the Hammers.
West Ham unable to find a way back into the fixture following two first goals from the Gunners however, and the points stayed in north London.
West Ham United U18s: Herrick, Caliste (Sowanmi 67), Briggs (Nwosu 72), Battrum ©, Mayers, Jones (Umolu 67), Fearon, Akpata, Rigge (Uwandji 25), Fawumni, Ajala
Subs not used: Abraham (GK)
Booked: Caliste
Full-time score: Arsenal U18s 2-0 West Ham United U18s
Prenderville: U18s unlucky to fall to defeat on opening day
Small margins, no doubt, but Arsenal took the points with two goals in quick succession. Half-chances and small mistakes were punished; a lesson the U18s will have to learn quickly in their Premier League South campaign.
For Gerard Prenderville, it was a case of those moments going the way of those in Red rather than Claret & Blue. The Hammers will look to get it right, next time out against Fulham.
“It’s always a tough game but the result was a bit unfair,” Prenderville stated. “Arsenal took their chances and we didn’t - there’s a lot of lessons to be learnt there.
“The level is raised from schoolboy football, you make a mistake, and there’s a goal. To concede two goals in three or four minute, you are always chasing the game. I think the injury to Dan Rigge didn’t help us because we had to change it early on.
“Credit to Arsenal because they took the sting out of the game once they went ahead. We didn’t quite get it right today.”
Focus turns to next week’s match against Fulham, a fixture that the U18s see as a chance to get their league campaign underway. For Prenderville, a week of hard work on the training ground awaits.
“It’s about the group learning now, he added, “putting it behind them, and getting ready for Fulham next week.”
Up next
West Ham United U18s will face Fulham at Little Heath on Saturday 19 August.
Kick-off is set for 11am.
