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2024-25 Premier League Under-18 (South)

Manager: Lauris Coggin - Kevin Keen Lead Professional Development Phase Coach

The 2024-25 Under-18 Premier League is the 13th 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. Chelsea are the defending champions. 

ARSENAL
Little Heath 
2 - 3 (Hargan, Sowunmi [pen])
17 August 2024

Hooper

Medine

Adiele (Kamara)

Golambeckis

Oyebade

Nwosu

Sowunmi (Balogun)

Fearon

Halim (Chigwada)

Caliste (Hargan)

Dike

West Ham United’s U18s were narrowly defeated by Arsenal at Little Heath. Despite goals from Elisha Sowunmi and Riley Hargan, the young Hammers were edged out in a closely contested match. West Ham started by inviting pressure, playing out from the back to create spaces behind Arsenal's defence. This strategy was effective, though Arsenal took the lead after 20 minutes through Ceadach O’Neill, who capitalised on a counter-attack rather than West Ham’s progressive play in their own third. The Hammers quickly responded. Fresh off his first Premier League 2 goal for the U21s on Friday night, Emeka Adiele earned his side a penalty after being brought down in the box. Sowunmi calmly converted to level the score. Just after the restart, captain Preston Fearon nearly put West Ham ahead. Winning possession in midfield, he led a charge forward and unleashed a shot from outside the box that clipped the outside of the post.

After half-time, West Ham controlled possession, with their skillful wingers keeping Arsenal’s defenders on their toes. However, against the run of play, Andre Annous restored Arsenal’s lead just before the hour mark. Just when it looked like the Gunners would comfortably close out the game, the Hammers set up a tense finale. Despite their significant height advantage in the box, Hargan put the Hammers within one as he headed home a dinked ball from Fearon. Despite the unrelenting pressure on Arsenal’s goal, the Gunners would hold on to take all three points.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
American Express Elite Performance Centre
1 - 1 (Golambeckis)
24 August 2024

Hooper

Medine

Kamara

Golambeckis

Jonyla

Nwosu

Sowunmi

Hargan (Balogun)

Halim (Chigwada)

Caliste

Dike (Beckford)

West Ham United 18s are off the mark for the new season after picking up their first point in the U18 Premier League South with a 1-1 draw against Brighton & ove Albion. The point come after a narrow opening day defeat to Arsenal, where they were unlucky not to come away with at least a point.
Manager Lauris Coggin fielded even younger side than the eleven that faced the Gunners.
A full debut for U16 defender Tomas Jonyla, teammate Joe Scanlon also impressed, coming on on as a wing-back in the second half, where he set up the Hammers' equaliser, having beaten his man before delivering a superb cross to the penalty spot. A diving header from Airdas Golambeckis ensured West Ham would take a point from their trip to the Amex Performance Centre.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Premier League Cup (Group D)
Little Heath
2 - 0 (Golambeckis, Nwosu)
27 August 2024

Awesu

Medine

Scanlon

Golambeckis

Jonyla

Nwosu

Sowunmi

Fearon (Hargan)

Halim (Beckford)

Caliste

Dike (Balogun)

With only a couple of days of rest, the U18s returned to action on Tuesday at Little Heath against Nottingham Forest. Goals either side of half time from centre-half pairing Golambeckis and Chinaza Nwosu secured all three points in their U18 Premier League Cup Group D opener. The Hammers will face group leaders Everton on 29 October before their final group game against Southampton on 23 November.

LEICESTER CITY
Leicester City Training Ground
1 - 1 (Sowunmi)
14 September 2024

Hooper

Medine

Scanlon (Beckford)

Golambeckis

Jonyla

Hargan (Ehbo)

Sowunmi

Fearon

Halim (Clairmont)

Caliste

Dike (Chigwada)

A youthful West Ham United U18s side battled to a 1-1 draw against early U18 Premier League pace setters Leicester City, in a tightly contested encounter at Leicester City Training Ground.

With several players returning from international duty and others sidelined due to injury, some of the younger Hammers from the U16 set-up were given a chance to step up. Strong defensive displays from both teams turned the match into a tactical contest, where opportunities were hard-earned. Elisha Sowunmi gave West Ham the lead on 69 minutes, but a late equaliser from Josh King ensured the points were shared in a closely-fought clash.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION
WBA Training Centre
2 - 2 Caliste, Golambeckis)
21 September 2024

Hooper

Medine

Kamara (Ebho)

Golambeckis

Jonyla

Nwosu (Hargan)

Dike (Balogun)

Fearon

Caliste

Sowunmi

Chigwada (Halim)

West Ham United U18s earned a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion continuing their unbeaten start on the road this season.

Airidas Golambeckis was on target again for his side with his third goal in five competitive games this season to put the young Hammers ahead. Strikes either side of half-time gave the Baggies the initiative going into the final half-an-hour. But a well worked West Ham move finished off by Mauritius international Gabriel Caliste rescued a point for Lauris Coggin’s side and ensured the Hammers did not leave the West Midlands empty-handed.

CHELSEA
Rush Green
2 - 3 (Ajala, Halim)
28 September 2024

Hooper

Medine

Kamara (Hargan)

Golambeckis

Oyebade

Nwosu (Jonyla)

Dike (Chigwada)

Fearon

Ajala (Halim)

Sowunmi

Caliste

West Ham United U18s fell to a narrow 3-2 Premier League South defeat to Chelsea at Rush Green Stadium.

It was a match that fairly fizzled and crackled from the off, swung one way then the other throughout. Striker Josh Ajala gave the hosts a tenth-minute lead, expertly steering home Gabriel Caliste’s low cross from close range.

Chelsea hit back ten minutes later as Sol Gordon latched onto a long ball forward from goalkeeper Hudson Sands and lifted it over Finley Hooper. The Blues edged ahead after the restart when Chizaram Ezenwata netted on 48 minutes, but Mehmet Halim climbed off the bench to seemingly rescue a point for the Hammers with 19 minutes to play. 

But Ollie Harrison had the last word for Chelsea on 83 minutes as he struck the decisive blow from the penalty spot to hand the west Londoners three points.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Little Heath
4 - 2 (Dike 2, Golambeckis, Sowunmi)
19 October 2024

Hooper

Medine

Kamara

Golambeckis

Mayers

Nwosu

Dike (Halim)

Fearon

Ajala (Hargan)

Sowunmi

Adiele

West Ham United U18s picked up their first league win of the campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Little Heath.

Although the visitors raced into an early lead, the young Hammers responded with four goals of their own before the interval. Airidas Golambeckis, Elisha Sowunmi and Andre Dike were all on the scoresheet to ensure the Hammers went into half-time with a healthy lead.

Despite going down to ten men late in the second half after Emeka Adiele received a second yellow card, West Ham saw out the game relatively untroubled to claim all three points on derby day.

READING
Bearwood Park
4 - 1 (Sowunmi 3 [1 pen], Adiele)
26 October 2024

Hooper

Medine

Scanlon

Golambeckis

Kamara

Hargan (Peychev)

Sowunmi

Fearon

Halim (Balogn)

Caliste

Adiele (Fejokwu)

Elisha Sowunmi was the hat-trick hero as West Ham United U18s recorded a second successive league win with a 4-1 victory over Reading at Bearwood Park.

Emeka Adiele fired the young Hammers ahead early from the penalty spot, with the hosts scrambling to find their feet in the game before our Academy of Football forward took centre stage.

A well-placed finish in first-half stoppage time was followed up with two exquisite strikes in the second period to earn a deserved victory.

EVERTON : Premier League Cup (Group D)
Finch Farm
4 - 4 (Halim 2, Golameckis, Sowunmi)
29 October 2024

Abraham

Medine

Scanlon

Golambeckis

Kamara

Hargan (Beckford)

Sowunmi

Fearon

Halim (Oyebade)

Caliste

Balogun

West Ham United U18s were held to a 4-4 draw after a heroic Everton comeback ensured the spoils were shared in their second group stage game of the Premier League Cup.

Despite storming into a four-goal lead courtesy of goals from Elisha Sowunmi, Mehmet Halim and Airidas Golambeckis, the young Hammers were pegged back by an astonishing second-half turnaround as Everton responded with four goals of their own in a breathless end-to-end contest.

​After a captivating contest, both sides are now tied at the top of the group, with Everton occupying top spot on goals scored.

SOUTHAMPTON
Little Heath
2 - 2 (Dike, Sowunmi)
2 November 2024

Hooper

Medine

Scanlon

Golambeckis

Oyebade (Halim)

Nwosu

Dike (Chigwada)

Kamara

Caliste

Sowunmi

Balogun (Hargan)

West Ham United U18s fought hard to earn a point against Southampton U18s in a gripping 2-2 draw with goals from Elisha Sowumni and Andre Dike at Little Heath Training Ground in the U18 Premier League South.

Despite Sowunmi’s early strike, Southampton surged ahead before half-time with two quick-fire goals from Nicholas Oyekunle and Sufianu Sillah-Dibaga. However, a well-timed second-half goal by Dike rescued a point for the young Hammers.

ASTON VILLA
Bodymoor Heath
3 - 1 (Sowunmi 3 [2 pen])
9 November 2024

Hooper

Medine

Kamara

Golambeckis

Oyebade (Halim)

Fearon

Dike (Hargan)

Caliste

Ajala (Balogun)

Sowunmi

Adiele

Elisha Sowunmi fired in a hat-trick to help West Ham United U18s beat league leaders Aston Villa 3-1 at Bodymoor Heath and extended their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.

An incredible match that swung from end to end was won by two second half penalties from Sowunmi, who now has netted eleven goals in all competitions this campaign, including a second hat-trick in his last three U18 Premier League South Division appearances.

SOUTHAMPTON : Premier League Cup (Group D)
Little Heath
3 - 1 (Ajala 2, Sowunmi
23 November 2024

Awesu

Medine

Mayers (Nwosu)

Golambeckis

Oyebade

Fearon

Sowunmi

Kamara

Ajala (Halim)

Hargan (Beckford)

Adiele (Balogun)

West Ham United U18s secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup at Little Heath with a 3-1 victory over Southampton.

Although Everton could still top the group if they win their remaining game against Nottingham Forest by two goals or more, the young Hammers would still qualify for the knockout stages as the best second-placed team on seven points.

A brace from Josh Ajala and Elisha Sowunmi’s 12th goal in as many games in all competitions this season extended Lauris Coggin’s young Hammers’ unbeaten run to six games.

GRIMSBY TOWN : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)
Blundell Park
0 - 1
6 December 2024

Hooper

Medine

Mayers

Golambeckis

Oyebade

Nwosu (Kamara)

Sowunmi

Fearon

Ajala

Caliste (Balogun)

Adiele

West Ham United U18s saw their FA Youth Cup campaign come to a disappointing early end, falling 1-0 to Grimsby Town U18s in the third round at Blundell Park. A resolute and disciplined display from the League Two academy side proved too much for the young Hammers, whose best efforts to break down their opposition ultimately came up short.

Lauris Coggin’s side began the game with promise, controlling possession and looking to dictate the tempo. Some early deliveries from set-pieces and Emeka Adiele’s tricky footwork tested the Grimsby defence, but the young Mariners held firm.

CRYSTAL PALACE
Little Heath
0 - 5
14 January 2025

Awesu (Hooper)

Medine

Jonyla (Unwin)

Kamara

Oyebade

Nwosu

Sowunmi

Hargan (Beckford)

Halim (Chigwada)

Caliste

Balogun (Dike)

West Ham United U18s endured a tough afternoon in their return to Premier League South action, falling to a 5-0 defeat against a clinical Crystal Palace side at Little Heath Training Ground.

Despite the result, the young Hammers showed flashes of promise, particularly in the first half, as they worked to regain their competitive rhythm following a month-long absence from fixtures.

ARSENAL
Sobha Realty Training Centre
1 - 3 (Sowunmi [pen])
25 January 2025

Hooper

Medine

Scanlon (Montague)

Kamara

Oyebade

Nwosu (Unwin)

Sowunmi (Obi)

Hargan

Chigwada (Balogun)

Caliste

Dike

West Ham United U18s fell to a 3-1 defeat against Arsenal U18s in the U18 Premier League South at Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Elisha Sowunmi’s early penalty gave the young Hammers a deserved lead, but goals from Max Dowman, Daniel Oyetunde and Ceadach O’Neill saw the hosts claim all three points.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Little Heath
0 - 2
1 February 2025

Awesu

Medine

Scanlon

Kamara

Oyebade

Nwosu

Sowunmi

Caliste

Chigwada (Balogun)

Hargan (Ebho)

Dike (Beckford)

West Ham United U18s delivered a determined second-half display but were unable to overturn an early deficit as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Little Heath Training Ground.

A challenging first half saw the visitors take control with goals inside the opening five minutes and on the stroke of half-time, but the young Hammers responded well after the break, carving out a number of opportunities but were unfortunately unable to convert their momentum into a comeback.

MANCHESTER UNITED : Premier League Cup (Quarter-Final)
Rush Green 
2 - 2 (Ajala, Caliste) won 5-4 pens

4 February 2025

Awesu

Medine (Hargan)

Adiele

Mayers

Oyebade

Golambeckis

Kamara (Nwosu)

Fearon

Ajala

Caliste (Dike)

Sowunmi

West Ham United U18s secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Manchester United U18s to progress to the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup.

Tyler Fletcher gave the visitors an early lead, but goals from Josh Ajala and Gabriel Caliste either side of half-time put the Hammers ahead before a James Scanlon equaliser just minutes later forced extra-time and penalties. The hosts held their nerve in the shootout, converting five out of their six penalties to seal the win.

LEICESTER CITY
Little Heath
3 - 3 (Ajala 2, Landers)
15 Februray 2025

Awesu

Medine

Jonyla (Landers)

Golambeckis

Oyebade

Nwosu

Sowunmi

Kamara (Chigwada)

Ajala (Beckford)

Hargan

Balogun

Josh Landers marked his West Ham United U18s debut with a goal, but unfortunately it was not enough to help the young Hammers stave off defeat by Leicester City at Little Heath.

The Irons conceded inside 60 seconds, scored twice in quick succession to lead 2-1 inside four minutes, but ultimately could not hold back the Foxes, who went on to secure an action-packed 6-3 U18 Premier League South win in east London.

FULHAM
Motspur Park
1 - 0 (Hargan)
18 February 2025

Hooper

Medine

Adiele

Golambeckis

Oyebade

Kamara

Hargan

Fearon (Beckford)

Ajala (Balogun)

Sowunmi

Landers

West Ham United U18s returned to winning ways and condemned Fulham to their first league defeat since November with a 1-0 victory at Motspur Park Training Ground. In a game Lauris Coggin’s side largely controlled, Riley Hargan’s strike just shy of the hour mark was enough to secure all three points.

CHELSEA
Cobham
2 - 2 (Landers, Sowunmi)
22 February 2025

Hooper

Ebho (Chigwada)

Scanlon

Medine

Oyebade

Jonyla (Beckford)

Kamara

Hargan

Landers

Sowunmi

Balogun (Dike)

Josh Landers struck deep into stoppage time as West Ham United U18s battled to a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Cobham Training Ground.

The young Hammers had led going into half-time thanks to a 37th-minute strike from Elisha Sowunmi, but Chelsea turned the scoreline around before the hour mark with goals from Chizaram Ezenwata and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli. A 93rd-minute equaliser from Landers, however, secured a share of the spoils for Lauris Coggin's side.

DERBY COUNTY : Premier League Cup (Semi-Final)
Moor Farm Training Centre
3 - 1 (Ajala 2, Landers)
5 March 2025

Awesu

Medine

Adiele

Mayers

Oyebade

Golambeckis

Hargan

Fearon

Ajala

Sowunmi (Dike)

Landers (Nwosu)

Josh Ajala scored twice as West Ham United U18s booked their spot in the final of the U18 Premier League Cup.

The young centre-forward set us on the way with a smart finish after 16 minutes, and after Josh Landers doubled our advantage a minute later, we looked like we were comfortably on our way to the final.

But Derby carried a threat for much of the first half, and Charles Ebuka halved the deficit when he smashed home from close range.

Ajala rounded off the win by sweeping home the third, and we held out for a famous victory.

CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace Training Ground
1 - 3 (Landers)
8 March 2025

Hooper

Ebho

Scanlon (Balogun)

Medine

Oyebade

Kamara

Hargan (Beckford)

Nwosu

Landers

Sowunmi

Dike

A spirited West Ham United U18s fell to a 3-1 defeat at U18 Premier League South leaders Crystal Palace.

Although the Eagles went ahead through Benjamin Casey’s 13th-minute strike, the Hammers grew into the contest and after Andre Dike struck the bar, Josh Landers found a deserved equaliser shortly before half-time with a calm finish - latching onto Riley Ebho’s cut-back - to score his fourth goal in five matches.

But just three minutes after the break, Casey was on hand to tap home his and Palace’s second of the game from inside the six-yard box before substitute Donte Martin bagged a third in second-half stoppage time.

FULHAM
Little Heath
2 - 2 (Landers 2)
15 March 2025

Awesu

Ebho

Scanlon

Medine

Oyebade

Kamara

Unwin (Hargan)

Nwosu

Landers (Chigwada)

Beckford (Sowunmi)

Dike (Balogun)

West Ham United U18s were held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham in a hard-fought contest at Little Heath, with the young Hammers twice taking the lead only to be pegged back by the visitors.

Lauris Coggin’s young Hammers then struck first on 16 minutes, thanks to a brilliant solo run from Riley Ebho. Picking up the ball in his own half, the full-back drove forward, brushing off challenges before sliding a perfectly weighted pass through to Josh Landers. The striker opened his body up and swept home confidently with his favoured left foot to give the Hammers the lead.

Fulham had struggled to create openings, but against the run of play, they found a way back into the match in the 40th minute. Luca Picotto won a penalty after being challenged by Ebho inside the box. Tom Wingate stepped up and sent Lanre Awesu the wrong way to level the score.

The Hammers responded well and ensured they went into the break ahead. In first-half stoppage time, Fulham failed to clear a Joe Scanlon cross, and Landers reacted quickest, rifling the ball into the roof of the net from close range for his second of the game. However, the visitors found another route back into the contest in the 76th minute. Substitute Aidan Evans forcing a turnover in West Ham’s third before finishing into an empty net.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre
1 - 1 (Ebho)
29 March 2025

Awesu

Ebho (Beckford)

Scanlon

Medine

Oyebade

Kamara

Unwin (Fejokwu)

Hargan

Landers

Sowunmi

Dike (Balogun)

West Ham United U18s earned a share of the spoils away to Tottenham Hotspur thanks to U16s wing-back Riley Ebho’s first goal at U18s level and a superb goalkeeping performance from Lanre Awesu.

Tottenham started brightly and nearly took the lead just two minutes in when Aaron Kamara’s under hit pass back to Awesu allowed the hosts a two-on-one opportunity. Jethro Medine’s pressure forced Tottenham’s Dexter Oliver to square the ball to Ellis Lehane, but Awesu reacted superbly, diving low to make a crucial save and keep the scores level.

Tottenham eventually broke the deadlock on 37 minutes. Malachi Hardy, who had been a constant threat throughout the first half with his long balls, played a perfectly weighted pass in behind for Ronny Moncur. The forward squared it across the box for Ellis Lehane to tap home at the back post, handing Spurs the lead.

In the opening exchanges of the second half, the home side could have quickly doubled their advantage, but Kamara’s timely intervention prevented Lehane from grabbing his second. Despite Tottenham’s quick start, the young Hammers found a way back into the game. After winning possession high up the pitch, Josh Landers worked the ball through Sowunmi and Hargan. Hargan’s initial shot was blocked in a crowded area, but he slid it across to Riley Ebho, who feigned a shot to create space before finishing smartly to level the scoring, his first goal for the U18s.

NORWICH CITY
Little Heath
1 - 0 (Landers)
5 April 2025

Hooper

Ebho

Adiele (Balogun)

Medine

Oyebade

Golambeckis (Dike)

Hargan

Nwosu

Landers

Sowunmi (Unwin)

Beckford

West Ham United U18s returned to winning ways with a tightly-contested 1-0 victory over Norwich City at Little Heath training ground.

Josh Landers' sixth goal since arriving in January from Hibernian proved decisive in a closely-contested affair, with Fin Hooper also playing a crucial role in preserving the lead thanks to a fine penalty save.

READING
Little Heath
1 - 3 (Landers)
12 April 2025

Awesu

Perkins (Beckford)

Scanlon (Unwin)

Kamara

Oyebade

Nwosu

Balogun (Caliste)

Hargan

Landers

Sowunmi

Chigwada (Dike)

West Ham United suffered a frustrating 3-1 U18 Premier League South defeat by Reading at Little Heath, despite enjoying long spells of dominance and creating a host of chances.

The game began at a frantic pace, and it was the visitors who struck first, opening the scoring inside the first three minutes. 

In the 29th minute, a superb deep cross from Riley Hargan picked out Landers and the No9, made no mistake, steering a brilliant header low into the corner to draw the Hammers level.

Just ten minutes later, Landers nearly doubled his tally when he fired against the crossbar.

Reading struck a cruel blow just before the interval they capitalised on a rare mistake in possession, nicking the ball and squaring for Fuller-Thompson to grab his second of the match.

Lead Coach Lauris Coggin looked to inject fresh energy just after the hour mark, introducing Gabriel Caliste and Andre Dike in place of Balogun and David Chigwada. But just three minutes after entering the fray, Dike was shown a red card, leaving West Ham to see out the remainder of the game with ten men.

Despite being a man down, West Ham maintained the pressure, pushing Reading deeper into their own half. But the Irons were hit with a sucker punch just two minutes before the end of the 90. Against the run of play, Reading launched a swift counter-attack, and substitute Larry Omoregie slotted past Lanre Awesu to seal the visitors' win.

SOUTHAMPTON
Staplewood Training Ground
2 - 4 (Landers, Scanlon)
15 April 2025

Awesu

Medine

Scanlon (Halim)

Kamara

Oyebade

Montague

Unwin (Chigwada)

Hargan

Landers

Caliste (Beckford)

Sowunmi (Balogun)

West Ham United U18s fell to a 4-2 defeat despite a spirited performance against new Premier League South leaders Southampton.

In what was an incident-packed game, the young Saints soared into an early two-goal lead through Korban McMullan and Nick Oyekunle.

The young Hammers produced the necessary response when a well-taken goal by Joe Scanlon halved their deficit after 19 minutes, and Josh Landers - who has now scored against nine out of ten different opponents with the U18s - struck after 27 minutes to haul us level.

But, cruelly, Southampton restored their advantage against the run of play through Harry Gathercole on 73 minutes, and Oyekunle eased any nerves the hosts may have been feeling when he added a fourth from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time.  

READING : Premier League Cup (Final)
Select Car Leasing Stadium
2 - 1 (Ajala 2)
22 April 2025

Awesu

Medine

Adiele

Mayers

Oyebade

Golambeckis

Kamara (Caliste)

Hargan

Ajala

Sowunmi

Landers

West Ham United were crowned U18 Premier League Cup champions following a 2-1 victory over Reading at Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The young Irons got off to the dream start in the first half courtesy of Josh Ajala, who tapped home a flicked-on corner from close range to extinguish any early nerves.

But the hosts were level through Carter Bowdery's curling effort 16 minutes later to ensure the sides went in level at half-time in Berkshire.

It was a more muted affair in the second half, and just as it looked like the Hammers were heading for another extra-time period in the Premier League Cup, Ajala did the trick again, this time meeting Elisha Sowunmi's cross to send the ball arcing past Josh Welland and secure the Club’s first-ever U18 Premier League Cup title.

ASTON VILLA
Little Heath
0 - 1
26 April 2025

Goodger

Ebho

Scanlon (Chigwada)

Medine

Oyebade

Montague (Dike)

Hargan (Unwin)

Nwosu

Landers

Sowunmi

Caliste (Balogun)

West Ham United U18s were narrowly defeated by a single goal against Aston Villa at Little Heath Training Ground. With both Arsenal and Chelsea winning their league fixtures, only a win would do for Villa in order to keep pace with their London rivals at the top of Premier League South.

Lauris Coggin’s young Hammers, featuring an even more youthful side than usual with four schoolboys in the starting lineup, stood up really well to the challenge. The hosts defended resolutely for much of the game, creating clear chances of their own that could have swung the contest their way.

Although Villa pressed high and controlled the early possession, it took them 20 minutes to fashion their first real opportunity, a cross from Trai-Varn Mulley met by Jamaldeen Jimoh, whose header from close range went wide.

The young Hammers stayed patient, trusting that their moment would come if they weathered Villa’s early pressure. It nearly did soon after Jimoh’s miss. A clever forward pass from Chinaza Nwosu, played with his back to goal, released Jethro Medine through the middle. Medine shifted the ball wide to Riley Ebho, who pulled it back from the byline for Elisha Sowunmi. Sowunmi’s first-time effort wrong-footed the goalkeeper but ricocheted off the inside of the post.

A couple of smart saves from West Ham United schoolboy goalkeeper Tommy Goodger, along with a scuffed rebound from TJ Carroll following a Mason Cotcher free-kick, ensured the sides went into the break level.

Villa eventually broke the deadlock on 70 minutes. After winning possession high up the pitch, they worked the ball to Cole Brannigan on the edge of the area. His deft outside-of-the-boot pass picked out Cotcher, who was finally able to beat Goodger with a composed finish.

With Villa easing off slightly after taking the lead, West Ham found more rhythm in possession and almost found an equaliser on 81 minutes. Jonathan Unwin cleverly disguised a pass into Sowunmi’s path inside the box, but the forward's effort flew high over the crossbar.

In the very next passage of play, Villa almost doubled their advantage when a goal kick from Sam Proctor was played into Jimoh, who spun his marker and raced through on goal. Goodger stood tall and guessed correctly, saving well low to his left to keep the young Hammers in the contest.

Despite Goodger’s save, there would be no equaliser for the young Hammers who can hold their heads high following a brave performance against one of the best performing U18s sides of the 2024/25 season.


WHU Sub not used: Abraham (GK)

Booked: Oyebade

 

Aston Villa U18s:

Proctor, Carroll (McWilliams), Rowe, Fortes (Burrowes), Routh, Jimoh, Hemmings, Mulley (Bloomfield), Quinn, Cotcher (Jenner), Brannigan


Sub not used: Asemota (GK)

Goals: Cotcher 70

NORWICH CITY
Avant Training ground
0 - 3
3 May 2025

Hooper

Medine

Scanlon

Montague (Hargan)

Oyebade

Nwosu

Dike

Beckford (Caliste)

Landers

Sowunmi (Unwin)

Balogun (Chigwada)

West Ham United U18s fell to a 3-0 defeat at Norwich City in their penultimate U18 Premier League South fixture of the 2024/25 campaign. With a number of young professionals and second-year scholars absent preparing for the U21s’ Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final at Manchester United on Monday, coach Lauris Coggin fielded an inexperienced team in Norfolk.

Under-16s Joe Scanlon and Harry Montague both started in defence, while first-year scholars Finley Hooper, Lewis Beckford, Chinaza Nwosu, Majid Balogun and Andre Dike were also in the team from kick-off.

Goalkeeper Lanre Awesu, defenders Ezra Mayers, Emeka Adiele, Airidas Golambeckis and Aaron Kamara, midfielder Preston Fearon and forward Josh Ajala were eligible to play but not involved. Mayers, Adiele, Golambeckis and Ajala all started the U21s’ PL2 play-off round of 16 win over Sunderland.

Norwich took the lead inside three minutes at the end of a counter-attack through Damari Daley, an 18-year-old forward who signed his first professional contract last year, then doubled their advantage on 23 minutes when another 18-year-old, Alan Domeracki, found the net with a left-foot shot.

West Ham’s best chances of the opening period fell to Elisha Sowunmi, but his shot was blocked, and Dike, whose long-range effort was saved.

The Canaries made the game safe six minutes after half-time when centre-forward Finlay Corke beat goalkeeper Hooper at the end of another fast break from the home side.

Coggin introduced Gabriel Caliste, Riley Hargan, David Chigwada and Jonathan Unwin from the bench, but the Hammers were unable to work themselves back into the game as Dike saw another shot saved, as did Josh Landers, while Caliste fired wide in between.

Defeat leaves the Irons 12th in the 13-team U18 Premier League South table. However, victory over bottom side West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday would lift them two places and possibly three in the final table to ninth, above Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich and Leicester City, should the Foxes fail to win at Aston Villa on Thursday.

WHU Sub not used: Nightingale (GK)

Booked: Oyebade

 

Norwich City U18s:

Binne, Oligbo, Ozcan (Madu), Keita, Okpiahele, Trialist (Northover), Domeracki, Bracking, Daley, Corke (Valencia Gomez), Steele (Owen)


Sub not used: Tkaczuk (GK)

Goals: Daley 3, Domeracki 23, Corke 51

Booked: Trialist, Domeracki

WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Little Heath
4 - 2 (Sowunmi 2 [1 pen], Halin [pen], Landers [pen])
6 May 2025

Hooper

Medine

Beckford

Nwosu

Oyebade

Unwin (Sowunmi)

Dike

Thomas)

Hargan (Balogun)

Landers

Caliste

Chigwada (Halim)

Elisha Sowunmi was the hero as West Ham United U18s finished their season in style and moved up to ninth in the U18 Premier League South table after a 4-2 win over West Bromwich Albion. Josh Landers gave the young Hammers an early lead before Dauda Amihere Iddrisa and Rio Parmar swept home from close-range and turned the game on its head in the Baggies' favour.

Sowunmi’s substitution at half-time was the shot in the arm the Irons needed, and, after Finley Hooper denied Alfie Maughan from the penalty spot, he restored parity from 12 yards at the other end on 67 minutes. Just as it looked like West Ham were heading for a draw, our No15 scored a goal worthy of winning any game when he cut inside onto his left foot before firing an unstoppable curled effort into the top corner.

And there was still time for the Hammers to add another through Mehmet Halim's penalty in stoppage time after Landers was upended inside the box by Iddrisa.

Andre Dike sought to get our final outing of the 2024/25 contest off to a memorable start by unleashing an ambitious early sighter from 20 yards but saw his shot roll inches wide after just two minutes. It was a similar tale at the other end, where Matthew Crowther powered his way beyond the West Ham midfield and picked out an onrushing Divine Onyemachi, who saw his deflected effort gathered easily by goalkeeper Hooper.

Less than four minutes later, the breakthrough arrived on nine minutes from Landers, who expertly converted from the penalty spot. Another patient move saw Dike latch onto Gabriel Caliste’s slide rule pass and drive into the box only to be brought down by Iddrisa, and Landers needed no second invitation to slot home the spot-kick as he found the target to take his tally for the season to nine.

The lead was short-lived, however, as West Brom retaliated and drew level within two minutes, as a West Ham mix-up at the back saw Idrissa seize possession inside the box and slot the ball into the bottom-left corner for 1-1. Both teams sought a second, with Lewis Beckford’s effort deflecting wide for a corner for the Hammers. Then, at the other end, Onyemachi had a few chances come and go in quick succession. First, he smashed a shot straight at Hooper after the ball had dropped his way in the area from a Daniel Chimeziri cut back, before skewing an effort off-target and volleying high and wide from a tight angle.

West Brom were knocking on the door, and it was Ryan Colesby’s turn to go close on 34 minutes, but he sent his left-foot shot just inches wide of the target, and then a fierce volley from the edge of the box from the Baggies No7 flashed just wide of the post.

It appeared as though the sides would go into the interval level. Then came the sucker punch when Parmar ghosted into the six-yard box and rifled home Chimeziri’s pull back from close-range.

Buoyed by their second goal, the young Baggies continued to attack after the restart, and after Chimeziri saw an effort blocked by Hooper’s legs and a subsequent goalbound effort blocked by Caliste, a spot-kick was awarded for the second time in the game when Parmar was hauled down by Dike.

However, Maughan’s spot-kick was saved by Hooper, who guessed correctly and sprung to glove the effort to safety down to his right, and after Onyemachi’s header cannoned back off the post, the momentum then swung very much West Ham’s way.

On 67 minutes, the young Hammers were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon after Idrissa was adjudged to have tripped Sowunmi just inside the box. The same player stepped up to send Louis Brady the wrong way for 2-2.

Into the final 20 minutes, and the game began to open up.

Chimeziri blasted over Hooper’s crossbar under pressure, then Onyemachi saw his shot blocked, while at the other end Landers’ effort was saved by Brady.

With just three minutes remaining, Sowunmi turned the game in West Ham’s favour with a stunning goal worthy of winning any match. The substitute received the ball on the right, cut inside and curled a left-footed strike beyond West Brom’s No1.

There was even time for one more, as Halim successfully converted a spot-kick in the 91st minute to eradicate any doubt about the outcome, securing a welcome three points for the Hammers.


WHU Sub not used: Awesu (GK) 

Goals: Landers 9, Sowunmi 67 (pen), 87, Halim 90+1 (pen)

 

West Bromwich Albion U18s:

Brady, Abudu, Crowther, Dupont, Letlat, Parmar (Ranger), Iddrisa, Maughan, Colesby, (McDonald) Onyemachi (Okorodudu), Chimeziri (Francis-Caesar)

 

Goals: Iddrisa 11, Parmar 43

Booked: Dupont, Crowther, Letlat, Iddrisa 

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