Boss David Moyes used the fourth round tie against Doncaster Rovers to show off his ‘kids’ and finished the game with five Academy products on the pitch.
And one of those making his debut at senior level was the very highly rated Jamal Baptise – a central defender with a big future.
Former academy director and CandH blogger Terry Westley has always spoken in the highest possible terms about the 17 year old who was making appearances for the under 23s at the age of 15 – he’s that good.
Jamal may have been the least publicised of the five who finished the game with Oladapo Afolayan scoring and keeper Nathan Trott towards the end of the game.
But he did enough to show that he is well on his way to becoming one of those in whom Moyes can faith enormous faith.
Jamal replaced e Ryan Fredericks with seven minutes remaining after already making 17 Premier League 2 appearances for the Club’s Under-23 side.
And speaking to West Ham TV he said: at “I’m over the moon. It’s what I wanted. I’ve been working hard for the Under-23s and I got my opportunity today so I took it.
“It’s a big achievement to have been playing in the FA Youth Cup before Christmas and gone on to play in the FA Cup now
“I just want to thank all my family, all my coaches at West Ham, just everyone that has helped me to get here.
“Everything has been going upwards at the moment. I want to keep working hard and keep going in the right direction.
“I feel like I’m learning every day, and every day I train with the first team I learn something new. I’m gradually getting better and better and showing it on the pitch.
“Angelo Ogbonna is a big idol to me. He’s really good, a nice character and really good on the pitch.
“I just want to keep working hard to stay around the first team, and maybe make my debut in the Premier League one day.
Baptiste was especially pleased to share the moment with his Under-23s colleagues Nathan Trott and Oladapo Afolayan, who also came off the bench to debut on Saturday.
The day was especially sweet for striker Afolayan, who added late gloss to the Hammers’ victory with their fourth goal.
“I’m really proud for Nath and Daps, for Daps to get the goal too,” Baptiste added,
“We’ve been playing all together for the Under-23s, so it’s great to do it for the first team as well.”
Loved it seeing those 3 young players come on and perform and accompany Ben, whom I would love to see at right back by the way. Proud of DM and AI for blooding them and getting the reward. We have some exciting prospects at the Academy of Football!
Thats the way to blood youngsters. Not the way Sam did it a few years ago when he threw a load into the lions den against Forres.