WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
2000-01 FA Premier Youth Academy Under-17
Manager: Peter Brabrook
West Ham United will compete in Group D "South" with Bristol City, Southampton, Reading, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Wimbledon. Fixtures are played home and away basis, a further 8 games against teams competing in the other southern group, plus a further 2 games from the Northern Group making a total of 24 matches. Winners of each group will progress to the Academy League Play-off's.
LIVERPOOL
Anfield
2 - 0 (McMahon D., Ritchie)
30 August 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Ward
Johnson
Ritchie
Cascione
Mehmet
McMahon D.
Eastwood
West Ham United's Under-17s kicked-off their FA Premier Youth Academy season with a sparkling display at Liverpool. They were unlucky not to be two or three goals ahead in a fine opening spell when shots from Freddy Eastwood and Glen Johnson rebounded off the woodwork.
Hammers eventually took the lead a minute before the break when a left-foot drive from Darryl McMahon beat the Liverpool 'keeper.
Hammers stepped up a gear in the second-half and scored a decisive second on 57 minutes when a cross by Billy Mehmet left Niall Ritchie with the easy task of tapping the ball into the net.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Ship Lane, Purfleet
1 - 4 (Mehmet)
2 September 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Fletcher
Tattam
Akinsete
Saunders
Mehmet
Eastwood
Benmona
An Under-17 side ravaged by illness and injury held out until 1 0 minutes from time in this FA Premier Youth Academy League match at Purfleef.
Billy Mehmet levelled a first-half Forest goal with a fine lob over the 'keeper from 1 8 yards out 13 minutes from time. But the makeshift Hammers side conceded a further three goals in the closing minutes.
WATFORD
London Colney
2 - 2 (McManhon D., Mehmet)
9 September 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Ward
Tattam
Akinsete (Lumsden)
Cascione
Mehmet
McMahon D.
Eastwood (Deen)
Darryl McMahon's late equaliser earned West Ham United's Under-17s a share of the points against Watford at London Colney, Arsenal's former training ground.
Hammers had gone ahead after just seven minutes when Manny Cascione's ball into the Watford penalty-area was half cleared and Billy Mehmet drove home the rebound. Watford levelled soon afterwards as the Hammers defence allowed Blizzard to run through and beat Glen Jackson.
After the break Mehmet had a great chance to put the Hammers into the lead but he blazed over the bar from four yards out. Watford finally took the lead when Anthony Dean conceded a free-kick on the right and substitute Newing beat Jackson with a low header.
With just two minutes remaining, Cascione outjumped the Watford defence to head back for McMahon to slam home Hammers deserved equaliser.
IPSWICH TOWN
Ship Lane, Purfleet
0 - 1
16 September 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Ward
Tattam (Dean)
Allen
Ritchie
Mehmet
Cascione
Eastwood (Ajinsette)
This was a disappointing performance by the Under-17s and Ipswich Town deserved their win. The visitors were much the sharper side and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 13 minutes. They should have gone further ahead just before the break when a deep cross from the left was met at the far post and only a brilliant point-blank save by Glen Jackson somehow kept the ball out.
Hammers showed more urgency in the second-half and Freddie Eastwood and Billy Mehmet went close.
Ipswich could have clinched the game with 10 minutes to go when a cross from the right found a player unmarked at the far post, but he headed wide. Near the end James Allen set up Mehmet but he sidefooted over the bar.
COVENTRY CITY
Sky Blue Lodge
3 - 0 (Eastwood 2, Allen)
23 September 2000
Jackson
Akinsette
Dean
Metitri
Khan
Tattam
Allen
Ritchie (Dean)
Mehmet (Saunders)
Cascione
Eastwood (Ajinsette)
The Hammers opened the scoring a minute from half-time when Freddie Eastwood hit a great volley from just inside the box. Midway through the second-half Hammers went two up when Manny Cascione bent a free-kick around the Coventry wall and Eastwood ran in to tap the ball home. Two minutes later James Allen made the game safe following a fine seven-man passing movement.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Ship Lane, Purfleet
3 - 0 (Eastwood, Ritchie, Saunders)
29 September 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Ward (Allen)
Tattam
Saunders
Ritchie
Mehmet
Cascione (Dean)
Eastwood (Ajinsette)
Freddie Eastwood scored his third goal in two games when he gave the Hammers the lead after just 10 minutes. Craig Sounders added a second 10 minutes later with a great 25-yard chip over the 'keeper. The game was wrapped up three minutes after the break when midfielder Niall Ritchie scored from just inside the box.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Ship Lane, Purfleet
4 - 1 (Eastwood 2, Cascione, Mehmet)
6 October 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Ward
Tattam
Allen
Ritchie (Saunders)
Mehmet
Cascione
Eastwood
Another two goals from Freddie Eastwood put a smile on the face of watching Harry Redlcnapp at Purfleet. Eastwood opened the scoring in the first minute with a shot from 15 yards. Manny Cascione mode it 2-0 after 10 minutes with a 30-yarder. Spurs pulled one back on 55 minutes but Billy Mehmet made it 3-1 on 82 minutes. Five minutes later Eastwood completed the scoring with his fifth goal in three games.
MILLWALL
Ship Lane, Purfleet
5 - 4 (McMahon D. 3, Akinste, Allen)
21 October 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Saunders
Ward
Khan
Allen
Ritchie
Mehmet (Akinste)
McMahon D.
Eastwood
REPORT:
ARSENAL
Chadwell Heath
28 October 2000
Postponed : Waterlogged
SOUTHAMPTON
Ship Lane, Purfleet
2 - 2 (McMahon D. 2, Saunders)
11 November 2000
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Ward (Saunders)
Tattam (Fletcher)
Ritchie
Cascione (Akinsette)
Mehmet
McMahon D.
Allen
A goal worthy of Paolo Di Canlo earned the young Hammers a well-deserved draw against the Under-17s League leaders. With just two minutes remaining, midfielder Darryl McMahon picked the ball up on the halfway line, beat two opponents and spotting the Saints 'keeper off his line, floated the ball over his head into the net.
In an excellent first-half despite the gale-force wind, Saints took the lead on 21 minutes when a defensive error allowed Broxton to run on and square the ball to Saints striker Shay Sounders who sidefooted it home.
Hammers continued to produce the more chances but didn't equalise until the 70th minute through substitute Craig Sounders. With his first touch of the ball, Sounders picked the ball up just outside the Southampton area, beat his man and shot into the corner of the net.
Saints regained the lead eight minutes from time with a goal against the run of play after Hammers failed to clear a cross from the right.
Billy Mehmet scored from James Allen's cross but the strike was disallowed for offside before McMahon rescued the Under-17s with his wonder strike.
READING
Cantley Park
4 - 1 (Eastwood 2, Mehmet 2)
25 November 2000
Jackson
Metitiri (Dean)
Tatham (Morris)
Ward
Khan
McMahon
Allen
Cascione (Saunders)
Mehmet
Ritchie
Eastwood
Hammers Under-17s came back from going a goal down to beat Reading quite comfortably in the end with two goals apiece from Freddie Eastwood and Billy
Mehmet.
Home goalkeeper Brown produced a brilliant save early on to deny Eastwood and then dived to his right to keep out a thundering 20-yard shot from Darryl McMahon.
Despite early pressure from the Hammers, Reading went ahead completely against the run of play when Elliot Ward's mis-kick was stuck in the mud and Bird took advantage to shoot past 'keeper Glen Jackson.
Hammers equalised just before half-time, when James Allen's corner from the left was headed on by Manny Cascione and Eastwood turned the ball over the line.
Allen became ifie provider once again when Hammers took the lead on 66 minutes, crossing for Eastwood to head his second and another cross ten minutes later gave Mehmet his first goal of the afternoon.
Mehmet completed the scoring seconds before the end when he turned in Eastwood's cross at the near-post.
ARSENAL
Chadwell Heath
9 December 2000
Postponed : Waterlogged
CRYSTAL PALACE
Rush Green
6 - 1 (Allen 2, Eastwood 2, Ritchie, Ward)
16 December 2000
Jackson (Sealey G.)
Allen
Tatham (Dean)
Ward
Fletcher
Khan
Ritchie
Beaumont
Mehmet
McMahon D. (Saunders)
Eastwood
James Allen was the Hammers star, causing the Eagles all sorts of problems before opening the scoring on 21 minutes. Despite their superiority, Hammers did not score again until 10 minutes into the second-half, when an Allen cross from the right found Freddie Eastwood who slipped his marker to side-foot the ball home.
Palace pulled a goal back, before Hammers restored their two-goal lead. Allen was again the provider, crossing for Elliot Ward to head the third.
Niall Ritchie made it four on 76 minutes and Eastwood then grabbed his second just three minutes later, heading in Brent Tattam's cross.
Allen scored his second to complete the rout two minutes from the end.
SOUTHAMPTON
Staplewood
6 - 2 (Eastwood 3, Allen 2, Allen)
20 December 2000
Jackson (Sealey G.)
Allen
Dean
Metitiri
Khan
Johnson
Ritchie
Saunders
Mehmet (Deen)
McMahon
Eastwood (Akinsete)
Freddie Eastwood scored a hat-trick as the Hammers Under-17s destroyed table-topping Saints in this re-arranged League fixture. Three minutes into the game, Eastwood was brought down just outside the box by the Southampton 'keeper Williams who was sent-off for the offence.
Despite several other good scoring chances, Hammers didn't take the lead until the 42nd minute when a James Allen cross found Billy Mehmet and his shot was deflected into the net by Eastwood.
Saints were on level terms two minutes after the break when, following a free-kick, Peters outjumped the Hammers defence to beat Glen Jackson from close-range.
Another fine cross by Allen from the right-wing provided Eastwood with the chance to restore Hammers lead six minutes later. On 59 minutes Allen proved goal-maker yet again when he picked out Mehmet who slid the ball home.
Allen finally got on the score-sheet himself in the 80lh minute after Niall Ritchie crossed from the right. Eastwood hit goal number two minutes later following a short corner on the right and with the last kick of the game, Allen completed the scoring with his second.
Coach Peter Brabrook commented: "It was a good all-round performance but there were some fine individual moments as well. Apart from James Allen and Freddie Eastwood, I thought Glen Johnson was a colossus at the back. Hopefully we can go on and win the League but there is no room for complacency yet as Arsenal and Wimbledon still have to be played twice, and they are right behind us."
FULHAM
Rush Green
0 - 4
27 January 2001
Jackson (Sealey G.)
Metitiri
Dean
Fletcher
Ward
Ferdinand (McClenahan)
Allen
Beaumont
Eastwood
Tattam
Akinsete (Sinclair)
The Hammers Under-17s were well-beaten by Fulham when they returned to action for the first time since the Christmas break.
With several regular members of the side called up to cover for injuries in the Under-19 squad, coach Peter Brabrook was forced to play schoolboys. Hammers held out until 10 minutes before half-time when goalkeeper Glenn Jackson missed a corner which was headed home and a 30-yard free-kick soon afterwards doubled Fulham's advantage.
After the break, West Ham offered spirited resistance until eight minutes from time when a scrappy goal made it 3-0 to the visitors. Just before the end Fulham completed the scoring with a shot just outside the penalty-area.
BRISTOL CITY
Rush Green
4 - 0 (Eastwood 3, Akinsete)
30 January 2001
Jackson, Metitiri, Dean (Ferdiand A.), Fletcher (McClenahan), Khan, Allen, Cascione, Ritchie, McMahon D.,
Eastwood, Akinsete, (Cole)
A Freddy Eastwood hat-trick helped the Hammers ease through this League fixture played at Fords Sports and Social Club. Freddy scored in the 31st and 32nd minutes to give the Under-17s a two goal lead at half-time. Ayo Akinsete made it three on 54 minutes and Freddy completed his hat-trick with just two minutes remaining.
Coach Peter Brabrook was pleased with the result: "We looked a half-decent side today and the young lad Cole (no relation), who is only 14, came on and did well."
FULHAM
Motspur Park
1 - 1 (McMahon D.)
14 February 2001
Jackson
Metitiri
Fletcher
Dean
Allen (Saunders)
Tattam
Ritchie
Cascione
McMahon D.
Eastwood
Akinsete (Ferdinand A.)
Following three successive corners, the Hammers took the lead on 20 minutes through Daryt McMahon when he won the ball off a Fulham defender and beat 'keeper Kincade in style.
On 56 minutes Fulham scored a controversial equaliser. It appeared as if Anthony Dean had been pulled back by Noble and the Hammers defence stopped. Noble carried on and passed across the face of the goal for Buari to put the ball into an empty net. Dean protested to the referee and was sent-off as a result.
Fulham should have taken the lead on 85 minutes following a corner, but McMahon was on hand to kick a header from Rehman off the line. A minute later it was Fulham's turn to save the day when their substitute Benjamin cleared a shot from Niall Ritchie off the line.
Unfortunatelv, the result could have dented the Under-1 7s title hopes, but coach Peter Brabrook also has suspension and injury problems to contend with.
"James Allen has a suspension coming up after being sent-off in the Youth Cup-tie at Oldham," said Peter. "Glen Johnson is out for the season after a hernia operation and Billy Mehmet and Terry Khan will also be out for several week, but we'll keep plugging away."
WIMBLEDON
Rush Green
2 - 0 (Dean, Eastwood)
17 February 2001
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Saunders (Banton)
Fletcher
Tattam
Allen
Ritchie
Akinsete
McMahon D.
Eastwood
This win saw the Hammers take over from the Dons at the top of the FA Premier Youth Academy Under-17s table. They took a deserved lead on 38 minutes when the ball was worked out wide to James Allen who beat two opponents and crossed to the far post for Freddy Eastwood to head home.
Ten minutes after the break, West Ham sealed victory when Anthony Dean struck a fine half-volley through a ruck of players following a corner.
WIMBLEDON
Charterhouse Sports Centre
1 - 0 (Cascione)
21 February 2001
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Khan
Fletcher
Tattam
Akinsete (Cole M.)
Ritchie
Cascione
McMahon D.
Eastwood
The Under-17s beat Wimbledon for the second time in four days to strengthen their position as league leaders.
Schoolboy Mitchell Cole, no relation to Joe, made his debut for Peter Brabrook's team and made an immediate impact by setting up the match winner.
Cole, who replaced Ayo Akinsete midway through the second-half, opened up the Dons' defence by beating three defenders down the left on 73 minutes and then finding Freddy Eastwood with a superb cross. The Wimbledon 'keeper could not hold Freddy's powerful shot and the ball rebounded to Manny Cascione who slid the ball into the net for the winner and open up a five point gap at the top of the Under-17s table.
ARSENAL
London Colney
0 - 2
24 February 2001
Jackson
Akinsette
Dean
Khan
Metitiri
Tattam
Ritchie
Cascione
Saunders (Cole M.)
McMahon D.
Eastwood
Hammers lead at the top of the Under-17s league was narrowed after mis defeat at London Colney.
The visitors were much the better side in the first-half but wasted at least four good scoring chances as Niall Ritchie and Freddy Eastwood both twice missed in one-on-one situations with the 'keeper.
Gunners took the lead just one minute after the break from the penalty-spot after Anthony Dean had made a rash challenge. Twenty minutes later, Arsenal secured the points when a defensive error let them in for an easy goal.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Harlington
2 - 0 (Allen, Eastwood)
3 March 2001
Jackson
Metitiri
Tatham
Khan
Fletcher
Saunders (Cole M.)
Allen
Ritchie
Akinsete
McMahon D.
Eastwood
The first-half was evenly fought as both sides missed chances to take the lead. The Hammers finally broke the deadlock five minutes after the break when Freddy Eastwood raced through to slot the boll to the right of the diving QPR 'keeper Ramsey. West Ham were well on top after that but didn't seal the points until 10 minutes from the end when substitute Mitchell Cole crossed into the Rangers' box for James Allen to crash home an unstoppable shot.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Chadwell Heath
6 - 1 (Allen 2, Eastwood 2, Cascione, Cole)
10 March 2001
Jackson
Metitiri
Dean
Ward
Fletcher
Ritchie
Allen
Cascione
Pearson (Mehmet)
McMahon D. (Saunders)
Eastwood (Cole M.)
Charlton scored first in this Under-17s Premier Academy League match switched to Chadwell Heath - but then Hammers turned on the power to score three goals in each half to remain joint table-toppers with Arsenal.
James Allen equalised before further goals from Freddy Eastwood and Allen again put West Ham well on fop at the break.
Shortly after the restart Eastwood made it four. Manny Cascione added a fifth before substitute Mitchell Cole completed the rout.
Coach Peter Brabrook was delighted with the performance but still issued a word of caution. "This win puts us right up there with Arsenal - and if looks like the title race could go right to the wire when we play them at Chadwell Heath in the last game of the season."
READING
Chadwell Heath
3 - 1 (Eastwood)
17 March 2001
Jackson
Metitiri (Fletcher)
Dean
Khan
Ward
Ritchie (Cole M.)
Allen
Cascione
Mehmet
McMahon D. (Tattam)
Eastwood
Freddy Eastwood scored his third hat-trick of the season in this Under 17s League match played atChadwell Heath.
Reading had little to offer in a first-half completely dominated by the Hammers. On 11 minutes James Allen evaded two challenges to whip in a cross for Eastwood to volley West Ham into a well-deserved lead.
Eight minutes later, clever play by Daryl McMahon on the opposite flank ended with Eastwood volleying home a second. He completed his hat-trick in the last minute of the first-half, heading in an Allen cross.
After the break, Hammers failed to reproduce their earlier sparkling form, but although Reading pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, the final result was never really in doubt.
ARSENAL
Chadwell Heath
3 - 2 (Allen, Mehmet, Ritchie)
31 March 2001
Jackson
Metitiri (Ward)
Dean
Johnson
Khan
Allen
Cascione
McMahon D.
Ritchie
Eastwood
Mehmet (Pearson)
West Ham United's Under-17s defeated Arsenal at Chadwell Heath to clinch their FA Premier Youth Academy Group League title.
Peter Brabrook's boys raced into a 3-0 first-half lead with a tremendous performance. James Allen headed the first on 20 minutes after some great skill from Billy Mehmet who received the ball from a throw-in, juggled it and flicked a cross over his shoulder into the penalty-area. Hammers second came six minutes later after Manny Cascione had linked up with Freddy Eastwood who played the ball inside for Niall Ritchie to volley home. Then on 40 minutes Mehmet scored an amazing third. Chasing a long ball over the defence, Billy put the Arsenal 'keeper under pressure and his clearance rebounded off his shoulder into the net.
The Gunners pulled one back just before the break and added a second on the final whistle.
BRISTOL CITY
Clifton College
3 - 0 (Allen, Mehmet, Ritchie)
2 April 2001
Sealey G., Khan, Blewitt (Cascione), Fletcher, Dean, Allen, Ritchie, McMahon D. (Laws), Cole M., Morris, Eastwood (Mehmet)
A few days after clinching their Group League title, Hammers Under-17s strolled to victory with three second-half goals at Bristol City.
After a dull first 45 minutes, Hammers made three substitutions which changed the pattern of the game. Mitchell Cole created the first on 53 minutes with a fine run down the left and cross that Danny Morris slid home. Billy Mehmet scored the second on 67 minutes with an acutely angled drive and Manny Cascione's pass inside the full-back provided the third for James Allen, who cracked the ball into the roof of the net in the 78th minute.
Academy Director Tony Carr said: "The lads should have won by more goals but we were slow in starting after a four hour plus journey to get there.
"Both Peter Brabrook and I were well pleased with the schoolboys that played - George Sealey, Mitchell Cole, Danny Morris, Danny Blewitt and Tommy Laws. We were also delighted to see that the more senior players still had the hunger for points despite winning the title on Saturday."
CRYSTAL PALACE
Chadwell Heath
Fixture not fulfilled
4 April 2001
The home game with Crystal Palace was called off after torrential rain hit Chadwell Heath. Having secured their Group League title, Under-17s coach Peter Brabrook agreed to the final fixture against Crystal Palace being cancelled by mutual agreement. "There was nothing riding on the result for either team and we didn't want to pick up any injuries before leaving for Dallas."
