WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
2022-23 Premier League Under-18
Manager: Kevin Keen
The 2022-23 Under-18 Premier League is the 11th campaign of the top tier of the Under-18 Development League. A total of 26 teams are split regionally into north and south leagues. Teams face their regional opponents both home and away before the top two face each other to determine the national champion. Manchester City are the defending champions. Birmingham City, Burnley and Reading lost Category One status in the summer of 2022 and no longer take part in this competition.
ARSENAL
London Colney
0 - 2
12 August 2023
Herrick
Caliste (Sowanmi)
Briggs (Nwosu)
Battrum
Mayers
Jones (Umolu)
Fearon
Akpata
Rigge (Uwandji)
Fawumni
Ajala
West Ham United U18s began their U18s Premier League South season with a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal. At London Colney, the Hammers were indebted to Finlay Herrick who kept Arsenal at bay with a string of saves throughout the fixture. He made a good stop to deny Osman Kamari early on, although the hosts took the lead with their next attack.
Daniel Oyetunde found the net with 18 minutes played, slotting the ball past the on-rushing Herrick, with a neat touch, before tapping home the opener into an empty net. Having taken a knock to his nose when challenging for the ball, Dan Rigge was unable to continue and was replaced by Blaise Uwandji with just over 22 minutes played. Arsenal would soon double their lead when Louie Copley struck from the edge of the area. Herrick, at full stretch, could not keep the effort from finding the top corner. In response, the Hammers threatened most when Liam Jones was over set-pieces. The No11’s left foot found some stunning deliveries in the first half, although none in Claret & Blue could find the net.
His free kick from the edge of the area was then well-saved as the Hammers sort to the halve the deficit. Arsenal pushed for a third and looked to set to find one if Mayers had not intervened, recovering well, with a well-timed challenged to deter the Arsenal No9. He later found space behind once more but was fettered by another good stop by Herrick. Uwandji also struck over on the half-volley, while Ajala had another half-chance to get his shot away in the second half after a good press from the Hammers. West Ham unable to find a way back into the fixture following two first goals from the Gunners however, and the points stayed in north London.
FULHAM
Little Heath
3 - 0 (Ajala [pen], Battrum, Umulo [pen])
19 August 2023
Herrick
Battrum
Briggs
Mayers
Adeile (Jones)
Medine (Caliste)
Akpata
Fearon
Fawunmi
Uwandji (Sowunmi)
Umulo (Ajala)
West Ham United U18s secured their first U18 Premier League South victory of the season on Saturday morning after a dominant 3-0 victory over Fulham. The Hammers were a constant threat right from the start and both Favour Fawunmi and Jerry Umolu forced Dino Kaiser into impressive saves in the opening exchanges. After a dominant start, Kevin Keen’s youthful side were eventually rewarded with ten minutes remaining in the first half.
Umolu demonstrated his composure, tucking a penalty kick into the bottom left corner after a mistimed challenge on Fawunmi. Ryan Battrum then powerfully headed the ball across the goal and into the far corner to give the hosts a two-goal lead before the interval.
The Irons continued to dominate after the break, with Fawunmi and Blaise Uwandji striking narrowly wide before the visitors conceded a second penalty. Joshua Ajala then stepped up and whipped the ball into the bottom left corner to round off an excellent and victorious day for the young Hammers.
ARSENAL : Premier League Cup (Group B)
London Colney
1 - 1 (Ajala)
2 September 2023
Herrick
Battrum
Mayers
Adiela
Briggs
Medine (Ajala)
Akpata (Caliste)
Fearon
Umolu (Jones)
Fawumni (Sowunmi)
Uwandji (Rigge)
West Ham United U18s began their U18 Premier League Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Arsenal.
Both outfits threatened the opening goal as Arsenal’s Chidoze Chi smashed a low strike into the side netting, while Jethro Medine was later denied by the offside flag. Arsenal continued to threaten in the first half, as Osman Kamara forced Finlay Herrick into an impressive low stop, although Jemiah Umolu also saw his strike denied by the feet of Alexi Rojas. With both sides battling for an opener, the Irons saw Herrick shown a straight red card shortly after the interval as a result of a late challenge on the edge of the 18-yard box.
With no goalkeeper on the bench, Kevin Keen had no choice but to turn to forward Liam Jones, who was unable to deny Harrison Dudziak from opening the scoring for the Gunners. The West Ham response was emphatic and impressive, however, as Joshua Ajala ran in behind the Arsenal back line and salvaged a draw with a venomous effort into the bottom left corner. Despite the Gunners man advantage, West Ham would come the closest to winning their first fixture of the Premier League Cup campaign. Dan Rigge saw his effort fly wide of the post late on, as the Irons settled for a valiant point as oppose to a brilliant three.
ASTON VILLA
Little Heath
5 - 2 (Ajala 2, Fawunmi, Rigge, Umolu)
16 September 2023
Abraham
Battrum
Briggs
Mayers
Jones (Adeile)
Fawunmi
Akpata (Nwosu)
Caliste
Ajala (Medine)
Rigge
Umolu (Sowanmi)
Joshua Ajala’s brace saw West Ham United U18s secure a stunning 5-2 win over Aston Villa. The 16-year-old was in imperious form at Little Heath training ground turning in the Club’s second and third in an incredible afternoon that moved Kevin Keen’s men to unbeaten in three matches in all competitions.
The Irons’ second victory of the season was set in motion by striker Jemiah Umolu, who got the ball rolling when he found the bottom right corner with a neat swish of his left foot on 18 minutes. His effort was followed by Ajala’s brace. His fourth goal in his last three matches saw the young Hammers into a 3-0 lead in 40 minutes.
Aston Villa did pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Luka Lynch but any jeopardy around the result was quickly forgotten when Dan Rigge found Favour Fawunmi, who netted the Irons fourth 23 minutes after the restart. Rigge later found the net himself as his penalty would round off the win after Villa scored a second through Abube Onuchukwu with three minutes to play.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
American Express Elite Football Performance Centre
3 - 1 (Umolu 2, Rigge)
Date
Herrick
Battrum
Briggs
Mayers
Medine
Jones (Adeile)
Caliste
Fearon (Akpata)
Rigge
Ajala (Fawunmi)
Umolu (Uwandji)
West Ham United U18s came from behind to secure an impressive 3-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jerry Umolu scored either side of half-time to give the Irons the lead before Dan Rigge put the result beyond all doubt with 72 minutes played. Kevin Keen’s side extend their unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions, as a result.
NORWICH CITY
Little Heath
2 - 0 (Adiele, Rigge)
30 September 2023
Herrick
Battrum
Adiele (Jones)
Akpata (Boothe)
Briggs
Mayers
Fawunmi
Nwosu (Caliste)
Umolu (Ajala)
Rigge
Sowunmi
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