Hammers power past Foxes

West Ham United U18s returned to winning ways with a commanding 3-1 victory over Leicester City U18s at Little Heath Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.

First half goals from Gideon Kodua, Sonny Perkins and George Earthy put Kevin Keen’s side in complete control and they could have been even further ahead but were denied by the woodwork on three separate occasions during a frenetic opening period.

The visitors got themselves back into the contest through Chris Popov shortly after the restart, yet the Hammers stood firm to record their second win of the U18 Premier League South season.

The victory sees the youth team jump up to seventh in the league table after just four rounds of matches.

West Ham United U18s started on the front foot on a sunny afternoon at Little Heath and were deservedly ahead midway through the first half.

Kodua reacted quickest to a lapse of concentration in the Leicester City defence to prod home from close range for his second goal of the season.

Keen’s side extended their advantage less than ten minutes later after positive play from Perkins. The England U18 international collected the ball from a throw-in, cut inside and delivered a precise pass into George Earthy who finished with aplomb from just inside the box.

Having been the provider for Earthy, Perkins wasted no time in making it three just moments later. The attacking midfielder collected an incisive pass from Kodua, checked back onto his right foot and drove it high into the net, leaving the Foxes keeper with no chance.

When the two teams re-emerged from half-time it was the visitors who wrestled back the momentum and were duly rewarded with a goal of their own.

Young forward Popov went on a marauding run down the right channel, riding the challenges of several defenders in Claret and Blue before curling beyond the outstretched arms of Jacob Knightbridge.

To their credit, however, Keen’s side stuck to their task well and put in an assured defensive display to keep Leicester City from edging themselves back into the contest.

Despite the second half seemingly lacking the intensity of the first, the Hammers maturity shone through as they collected their second win of the season.

West Ham United U18: Knightbridge, Robinson, Forbes, Casey, Clayton, Falase, Tarima (Scarles 61’), Woods (Orford 61’), Perkins, Kodua (Evans 76’), Earthy

Subs not used: Terry, Boothe

 

About Sean Whetstone

I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball, I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh. Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons! Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter