West Ham United U18s 1-1 Southampton U18s (4-2 penalties)
Friday 8 December, FA Youth Cup round three, Rush Green Stadium, 7pm GMT
West Ham’s academy kids have scored another major success as their brilliant seasons just gioes on and on as U18s won a penalty shootout to book a place in the FA Youth Cup fourth round.
Another major Hammers success: Lewis Orford
Another major West Ham success
The temperatures were freezing but the action was red hot at Rush Green Stadium, as the tie took so many twists and turns before the Irons came out victorious through 90 minutes, extra-time and finally a shootout.
Southampton took the lead through Jay Robinson on 43 minutes but we overturned that in the second half, as sub Favour Fawunmi, sent on for the second half , struck the equaliser.
Under 21s Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford, who had booked their place in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy last 16, were also involved. The two had combined to help set up the equaliser, volleyed home by Fawumni volleyed four minutes after half time.
West Ham United keeper Finlay Herrick ,ade a string of saves and an impressive showing from U16 Airidas Golambeckis were high spots as we reached the shootout.
Orford, Scarles, Liam Jones, and Josh Briggs all found the net from 12 yards, while Herrick made a superb save diving to his right to deny Aston Daley.
The U18s would progress via a 4-2 scoreline and set up a fourth-round tie against either Manchester City or Watford.
West Ham United starting XI: Herrick, Medine (Fawunmi 46), Golambeckis, Briggs, Mayers, Scarles, Akpata ©, Orford, Rigge (Caliste 86), Umolu (Sowunmi 46), Ajala (Jones 91)
Subs not used: Abraham, Nwosu, Oyebade, Caliste
Goals: Fawunmi 49
Penalties scored: Orford, Scarles, Jones, Briggs
Booked: Scarles