A late Arsenal goal denied the Hammers U18s a deserved draw in the Premier League South defeat at Arsenal on Saturday.
Starting with three schoolboys, the lads came from a goal down to level through captain Ajibola Alese (right) but the Gooners scored through substitute Stanley Flaherty with just seven minutes remaining.
England U17 international Folarin Balogun had put Arsenal and Alese levelled two minutes after the break, only for Flaherty to score the winner just two minutes after replacing Balogun.
West Ham have now lost three straight U18 Premier League South matches but schoolboys Jamal Baptiste, Amadou Diallo and Jayden Fevrier all impressed.
Coach Mark Phillips said: “We lost but it was a very good game and advert for youth football in this country. I’m proud of West Ham in defeat. To have three schoolboys in the team in competitive U18s football is an achievement.”
