WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
2025-26 Premier league Under-18 (South)
Manager: Lauris Coggin / Luke Smith (22 November 2025)
Kevin Keen Lead Professional Development Phase Coach
The 2025-26 Under-18 Premier League is the 14th 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. Aston Villa are the defending champions.
SOUTHAMPTON
Staplewood
0 - 2
16 August 2025
Awesu
Perkins
Scanlon
Jonyla (Unwin)
Leacock
Beckford
Morris-Agyemang (Medine)
Dike
Kamara
Chigwada (Kerr)
Balogun (Brooks)
Two first-half goals condemned West Ham United U18s to defeat in their opening U18 Premier League South match.
Southampton opened the scoring through Leo Umeh’s curling 18-yard strike inside 12 minutes, then Korban McMullan doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, and although substitute Jephthah Medine came close in the second-half, we tasted defeat at Staplewood.
Southampton U18s:
Moloney, Adjei-Afriyie, Vallance, Martin, Sewell, Rohart-Brown (Sainsbury), Umeh (Little), McMullan, Newman (Goremusandu), Rodda (Robinson), Gathercole
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Little Heath
1 - 1 (Beckford 4')
23 August 2025
Awesu
Perkins
Scanlon
Leacock (Montague)
Jonyla
Nwosu (Balogun)
Dike
Unwin
Kerr (Chigwada)
Beckford
Medine (Peychev)
West Ham United U18s were denied a first victory of the 2025/26 U18 Premier League South season after visiting Birmingham City struck an 88th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Little Heath Training Ground.
It looked like Lewis Beckford’s goal after just three minutes would be enough to see off the newly-promoted Blues, but Kian McCusker snuck in behind late on to ensure it finished honours even on Saturday afternoon.
Beckford, who was impressive throughout, took his goal well, pouncing on a slip from the away side's goalkeeper before rounding Szymon Terenowicz to tap home.
Birmingham City U18s:
Terenowicz, Thompson-Jones, Biol, Campbell, Ranson, Martin-Moore, Ugorji, Maddox, Nunes-Wickham (Degtiarev), McCusker, Flavell (Rea)
SUNDERLAND : Premier League Cup (Group E)
Academy of Light Training Ground
3 - 1 (Dike 3 (13' pen, 20', 85')
26 August 2025
Hooper
Brooks (Perkins)
Scanlon
Kamara
Leacock
Nwosu (Jonyla)
Kerr
Morris-Agyemang
Chigwada (Medine)
Beckford (Obi)
Dike
West Ham United U18s began the defence of their Premier League Cup crown in confident fashion, securing a 3-1 victory away at Sunderland thanks to an Andre Dike hat-trick.
Dike struck the outside of the post on eleven minutes after latching onto a pinpoint long pass from goalkeeper Finley Hooper, who impressed throughout with his distribution, both long and short. Moments later, Dike’s persistence brought reward. Having danced past defenders inside the penalty area, he was clipped just as he shaped to shoot. The referee pointed to the spot, and the forward calmly converted to give West Ham a deserved lead.
The winger struck again just eight minutes later. Lewis Beckford picked off a loose pass in Sunderland’s defensive third and showed great awareness to slide the ball across to Dike, who finished with ease into an unguarded net. Hooper then had to be alert at the other end, tipping over a fierce strike from Matthew Burns on 25 minutes, before Sunderland halved the deficit ten minutes later. George Bell’s clever pass released Lewis Campbell, who kept his composure under pressure from Leacock to slot beyond Hooper.
The hosts emerged with greater purpose after the break and came close to an equaliser when Joseph Nield’s dangerous cross was deflected against his own post by Leacock.
In the 76th minute. Sunderland worked a neat move that forced Hooper into a sharp save from Alex Lienard, and just when the match threatened to tilt, West Ham delivered the knockout blow. Chukwuemeka Obi latched onto Joe Scanlon's long throw, hooking a perfect cross towards the back post for Dike to nod home from close range, completing his hat-trick an hour after scoring his second. Lauris Coggin’s side then managed the final stages confidently, closing out the contest to claim three valuable group-stage points and a winning start to their title defence.
Sunderland U18s:
Cowan, Bell, Hester, Burns (Lienard), Forsyth, Nield, Scott, Struk (Matadeen), Campbell, Proctor, Dinsdale
LEICESTER CITY
Leicester City Training Ground
1 - 3 (Dike 53')
30 August 2025
Awesu
Perkins
Scanlon (Obi)
Jonyla (Montague)
Leacock
Morris
Dike
Kamara
Kerr
Beckford (Peychev)
Medine (Unwin)
West Ham United U18s were beaten by Leicester City in U18 despite producing a strong performance in the East Midlands. The Hammers enjoyed more possession, out-shot and had five times as many corners as their hosts – 15 to three – but the Foxes were more clinical in clinching a 3-1 home win. Leicester had just four shots on target at their LCFC Training Ground, but three of them found the Irons’ net.
Against the run of play, captain Lorenz Hutchinson put the home side in front on 14 minutes, tapping home Riley Carr’s cross after the winger had advanced into the West Ham penalty area.
Despite looking the more dangerous side, West Ham fell further behind eight minutes before half-time. Joe Corden capitalised on a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Lanre Awesu and calmly finished.
The visitors showed great spirit after the interval and almost halved the deficit soon after the restart. Lewis Beckford stole possession inside the Leicester box and despite beating goalkeeper Freddie Marson with his effort, Adedeji was once again on hand to clear the danger, clearing off the line.
The pressure eventually told in the 53rd minute. Callum Leacock’s disguised pass found Aaron Kamara, who cleverly flicked the ball on to Scanlon. Breaking into the penalty area, the midfielder squared across goal, with Beckford and Kerr drawing defenders away to allow Andre Dike to apply the perfect first-time finish, his fourth goal in two games. But once again, against the run of play, Leicester re-established their two-goal cushion when Bismarck Owusu drilled low inside the near post
Leicester City U18s:
Marson, Aideed, Toko, Adedeji (Dignum), Daniels (Fletcher), Lisle, Lawrence, Carr, Corden (Jacklin), Owusu, Hutchinson (Manyumba)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Little Heath
0 - 5
13 September 2025
Awesu
Perkins
Scanlon (Jonyla)
Kamara
Leacock
Unwin (Montague)
DikeMorris (Peychev)
Obi
Beckford
Medine (Kerr)
West Ham United U18s fell to defeat at Little Heath with Tottenham Hotspur taking their chances to claim a 5-0 victory in U18 Premier League South.
Despite matching their opponents in possession and attempts on goal, our young Hammers were on the wrong end of a harsh scoreline and slipped to consecutive league defeats.
Spurs carved out the first opening inside the opening five minutes when Armend Muslika was played in behind the Hammers’ back line, though he dragged his effort wide of Lanre Awesu’s goal.
The early exchanges developed into a physical contest with clear sights of goal at a premium. Midway through the first half, Miracle Adewole, lively down the left with his pace and trickery, almost found a way through, only for Callum Leacock to produce a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny the Spurs winger.
The visitors did eventually make the breakthrough when they beat the offside trap, creating a three-on-one situation. Muslika was set up inside the area and finished calmly beyond Awesu. Spurs doubled their lead on 36 minutes with a cleverly-worked free-kick. Taken quickly down the left to Adewole, he cut the ball back for Oliver Boast, who swept home a tidy first-time finish. Just moments later, Boast added his second. Goalkeeper Blake Irow launched a long kick forward, and with numbers in attack, Spurs worked it well for Oscar Sandiford to slide in Boast, who finished clinically once again.
West Ham almost reduced the deficit before the break when Jephthah Medine’s cross skipped past Lewis Beckford and fell to Andre Dike, who couldn’t quite connect cleanly. Aaron Kamara also went close, driving through the centre before seeing his shot deflected over the bar.
Five minutes into the second half, Kamara was again at the heart of West Ham’s attacking play. Having been pushed into midfield after the introduction of Harry Montague, he surged forward and played in Dike, who was denied at the last by Elijah Upson just as he shaped to shoot one-on-one with Irow.
With five minutes remaining, Muslika capitalised on a loose pass from goalkeeper Awesu to extend Tottenham’s advantage. Lauris Coggin’s side continued to battle until the final whistle, with Chukwuemeka Obi going close late on, but in stoppage time Frankie Day added a fifth for the visitors to round off the scoring.
Tottenham Hotspur U18s:
Irow, Sandiford (Byrne), Thomas, Tingey, Upson, Moncur (Salter), Myrtaj, Feeney (Wellspring), Boast (Day), Muslika, Adewole
FULHAM
Little Heath
2 - 1 (Kerr 32', Obi 41')
20 September 2025
Hooper
Perkins
Scanlon (Jonyla)
Montague
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Kerr (Peychev)
Kamara
Obi (Unwin)
Beckford (Medine Jep)
Dike
West Ham United U18s secured a first U18 Premier League South victory of the 2025/26 season with a 2-1 home victory over Fulham. First-half goals from forwards Joel Kerr and Chuk Obi saw Lauris Coggin’s side secure deserved derby honours at Little Heath.
The game started with Fulham having their only goal attempt of the first half, which Bashil Lubega fired wide, before Whites winger Harley Platel was booked for a foul on goalkeeper Finley Hooper. From then on, West Ham dominated, with Obi and Kerr having shots blocked and Aaron Kamara hitting one effort over the crossbar and a second wide of the post in quick succession.
The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes by Northern Ireland U17 international Kerr, who converted a pass from Joe Scanlon. The hosts doubled their lead on 41 minutes when Andre Dike set up Obi, who scored with a low shot into the bottom left-hand corner.
West Ham’s domination continued early in the second half as Callum Leacock and Dike sent shots wide, and the Irons’ failure to make the game safe almost came back to haunt them when substitute Anand Batra pulled a goal back on 68 minutes with Fulham’s first shot on target. Coggin’s team saw the game out comfortably, though, restricting Fulham to only one further goal attempt when Alfie White’s shot was blocked. Substitute Jephthan Medine missed a chance to add a third in added-time but West Ham had done enough and a first success of the campaign saw the U18s rise four places to tenth in the 15-team table.
Fulham U18s:
Mayer, Benchaita, Cooke, Gomins, Schutter, Kondau-Wall (Khan), White, Cavell (Sessegnon), Evans, Platel, Lubega (Batra)
READING
Bearwood Park
1 - 2 (Obi 73')
27 September 2025
Awesu
Perkins (Omotoye)
Scanlon (Unwin)
Montague
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Medine)
Kamara
Obi
Peychev (Beckford)
Kerr
In the first meeting between the sides since last season’s Premier League Cup final, where Lauris Coggins’ side lifted the trophy with a 2-1 victory, our young Hammers fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Bearwood Park Training Ground as a late goal from Raguel Jubilee-Ntege cancelled out Chuk Obi's second-half leveller. The early exchanges saw both sides engage in physical battle, with plenty of half-chances for both sides, as West Ham enjoyed early spells of possession.
The home side began to dominate the ball, with their quick forwards repeatedly trying to get in behind. However, the Hammers’ defence stood firm, with Callum Leacock and Harry Montague winning numerous duels. The first big chance came in the 23rd minute as Obi pressed the Reading defence, won the ball back, and drove into the box. His low effort was saved, but it gave the Hammers confidence.
Then in the 38th minute, Martin Peychev did brilliantly to dribble into the box and evade several Reading challenges and set up Obi with another opportunity, but he was unable to get enough power on his attempt. Minutes later, the deadlock was broken, but for the home side, as Larry Omoregie led a counterattack and played it back to Rabbi Ntege, whose deflected strike looped past Lanre Awesu.
The second-half saw many changes from both teams, and the first chance once again dropped to West Ham after Jephthah Medine, who came on for Andre Dike, who made his U21s debut on Friday against Brighton & Hove Albion, found space down the left flank and delivered a cross to Peychev in the box, but his effort was blocked.
But the Hammers would equalise with 20 minutes to go as Medine got down the left wing, and his cross was cleared into the path of Obi, who volleyed home emphatically. West Ham continued to apply pressure, and thought they had gone ahead when Aaron Kamara converted Medine’s cut-back, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Despite the home side’s pace on the break, a fantastic recovery tackle from Leacock in the 80th minute denied Ntege from getting into the box, showing once again the resilience of the defence. However, with minutes to go, it was heartbreak for our young Hammers as Ntege hit a long-range effort from outside the box, going in off the crossbar.
Reading U18s:
Chambers-Borgnis, Zie, St. Louis, Booth, Dove, Richard-Irish, Rabbi Ntege, Beacroft (Martin-Grant), Omoregie (Hunte) Fuller-Thompson (Covus), Jubilee-Ntege
NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Premier League Cup (Group E)
Little Heath
2 - 1 (Kerr 13', 22')
4 October 2025
Hooper
Perkins
Scanlon
Jonyla
Leacock
Unwin (Peychev)
Dike
Kamara (Morris-Agyemang)
Kerr (Obi)
Beckford
Medine Jep (Onyeka-Fokujwu)
West Ham United U18s continued their perfect record in their defence of the Premier League Cup title with Joel Kerr’s first-half brace helping his side stay top of the ranks going into the final group game. The first chance of the match fell to Dike, who burst down the right flank in a brilliant solo run. His effort was saved, but it immediately highlighted the threat the side posed down the wings.
It didn’t take long for our young Hammers to open the scoring. Kerr, operating as a striker, pressed the defence to win the ball back and calmly slotted it into the net, giving his side a well-deserved lead after just 13 minutes. However, the home side suffered a setback shortly after, as Aaron Kamara was forced off the pitch after 20 minutes through injury, with Reggie Morris slotting into midfield to replace him. Despite this, Lauris Coggin’s men continued to showcase their attacking prowess. After 22 minutes, they extended their advantage. A brilliant cross from Vinnie Perkins fell to Jephthah Medine, whose shot was blocked off the line, only for Kerr to react quickest and poke the ball home for his second goal of the game. Before half-time, the home side continued to dominate. Dike once again demonstrated his excellent wing play, chasing a long ball down the right before finding Morris. His incisive pass fell to Jonathan Unwin, but his effort struck the post.
The early exchanges in the second half saw both teams applying pressure, but West Ham’s defenders remained composed, winning multiple duels and headers to prevent Forest from breaking on the counter-attack. However, after 70 minutes, the home side were dealt another blow when captain Callum Leacock was shown a red card for a late off-the-ball challenge, leaving our young Hammers to see out the game with ten men. The away side then increased the pressure following the red card, as Frank Djamma was played through on goal after a slick move through midfield. His effort went over the bar, serving as a warning for the home side.
West Ham continued to push for another goal despite being a man down. Lewis Beckford came close to extending the lead when a clearance from a corner fell to him on the half-volley, but his effort drifted just wide. With eight minutes remaining, Nottingham Forest made the most of the extra man as Basima Balagizi kept his balance and played Shakur Samuels through on goal. He placed his shot into the bottom corner to pull one back, setting up a tense final few minutes.
Nottingham Forest U18s:
Grainger, Sanneh, Andrews, Russell (Samuels), Broomes, Davies, Lokote (Balagizi), Djamma, Hamilton, Robinson, Sutton
ASTON VILLA
Little Heath
2 - 1 (Beckford 37', Dike 64')
18 October 2025
Hooper
Perkins
Scanlon (Jonyla)
Fejokwu
Montague
Morris-Agyemang
Dike
Unwin (Peychev)
Obi (Omotoye)
Beckford
Kerr
West Ham United U18s returned to league action with a win by defeating last season’s U18 Premier League champions Aston Villa thanks to goals from Lewis Beckford and Andre Dike. The first chance of the game fell to West Ham after some excellent build-up play from the back, with Finley Hooper breaking the lines. The ball progressed down the left flank and eventually found Beckford, who set up Dike, but his low shot from inside the box was well saved.
After 13 minutes, the home side continued to show our attacking intent. Joel Kerr caused problems down the left wing, driving into the box with purpose, but his shot was blocked. Aston Villa’s first major opportunity came through Cole Ramsey, brother of Jacob and Aaron Ramsey, who broke down the left with some tricky footwork, but his shot was comfortably saved by Hooper.
Lauris Coggin’s side kept the pressure on, with Kerr proving to be a constant outlet. After a quick Villa free-kick was intercepted by Jonathan Unwin, only for his effort to be blocked once more. It felt only a matter of time before the home side found the breakthrough, and after 37 minutes we did exactly that, once again attacking down the left. Joe Scanlon, who had been drifting into midfield throughout, drove to the byline on this occasion and picked out Beckford. He showed great composure in the box to slot home and make it 1-0.
The early stages of the second half saw Aston Villa apply pressure, trying to get in behind the defence, but the young Hammers stood firm and defended resolutely, catching their forwards offside numerous times. The pressure finally told as West Ham doubled our lead after 64 minutes with a moment of brilliance from Dike. Beckford turned provider, carrying the ball down the right and finding Dike, who cut inside onto his left foot before curling a stunning effort into the top corner.
After several substitutions to refresh the team, Tyrone Omotoye almost made an instant impact when Kerr’s hold-up play found him inside the box, but his effort was saved by the Villa goalkeeper. U16s centre-back Emmanuel Onyeka-Fejokwu also came close to adding a third on his first start for the U18s, meeting Dike’s low cross, but his shot drifted over the bar. With only minutes remaining, Villa pulled one back after a long ball was missed by Hooper, allowing substitute Heaven Kilwa to score into an empty net.
Kilwa had one final chance in stoppage time after cutting inside the box, but his effort went wide, sealing a hard-fought and impressive three points for the young Hammers, and a third home win in a row in all competitions.
Aston Villa U18s:
Oakley, Atkins (Pinell), Bernard, Addey, Wilson, Melhuish (Green), Hayward, Boyd, Adediran (Lloyd), Ramsey (Kilwa), Bindey
IPSWICH TOWN
Playford Road
8 - 2 (Thomas 6', 18', 85', 90+2', Dike 11', 60', Medine 48', Boakye-King 50' [og])
1 November 2025
Hooper
Perkins
Scanlon
Thomas
Smith
Morris-Agyemang (Peychev)
Dike (Longman)
Unwin
Obi (Brooks)
Beckford
Medine (Omotoye)
West Ham United U18s made it three consecutive victories in all competitions with a stunning 8-2 win over Ipswich Town, with U16 starlet Isaac Thomas enjoying a dream debut at U18 level by scoring four goals, Andre Dike netting a brace and Jephthah Medine also etching his name on the scoresheet. Within the first six minutes, West Ham’s early possession paid off as they took the lead through Thomas, who got off the mark in style by heading in Medine’s pinpoint free-kick delivery.
Lauris Coggin’s side continued to dominate as Medine led a swift counter-attack just minutes later, turning away from his marker and setting up Dike, whose low shot whistled just wide after cutting inside onto his left foot. Then, in the eleventh minute, Dike produced another moment of brilliance when he curled a superb effort into the top corner to make it 2-0, successfully following up his spectacular strike against Aston Villa last time out.
The young Hammers were relentless in the early stages, and another perfectly executed set-piece saw Thomas rise highest again to head home his second goal, extending the lead to 3-0 after just 18 minutes. The home side eventually found their rhythm and threatened a response. Benjamin Buskell struck on the volley after a cross into the box, but Finley Hooper reacted sharply, saving with his feet. Just before half-time, Ipswich pulled two goals back, reducing the deficit to just one goal in quick succession. Indiana Pedder capitalised on a loose touch from Hooper to score into an empty net, before turning in Buskell’s cross moments later to make it 3-2 and give the hosts hope of a potential comeback.
After the interval though, West Ham quickly regained control, and just three minutes into the second half Medine restored the two-goal cushion when Lewis Beckford’s cross caused chaos in the box, and the winger bundled the ball over the line to make it 4-2. Two minutes later, the Hammers continued to use their threatening set-pieces to their advantage, after another dangerous delivery forced Isaac Boakye-King to turn the ball into his own net, extending the lead to 5-2.
Beckford’s relentless pressing forced an error from Joshua Bentley in goal, which almost let Brooks in. Then, the Ipswich defenders failed to clear the ball after more good work from Beckford, with the ball this time falling kindly to Dike, who tapped in his second of the game to make it 6-2. Things went from bad to worse for Ipswich when their captain, Charlie Wood, was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge and was sent-off in the 76th minute.
Despite the significant scoreline, the visitors refused to stop their attacking dominance, and they almost added another when substitute Martin Peychev was denied on the line by the goalkeeper following another dangerous set-piece. In the 85th minute, Thomas completed his hat-trick, once again losing his marker inside the box and heading home powerfully from close range from a corner. Then, in stoppage time, the U16 rounded off a dream debut with his fourth goal of the game, turning in Joe Scanlon’s cross after a clever one-two with Longman, sealing an emphatic 8-2 victory.
Ipswich Town U18s:
Bentley, Barry, Ologho, Brown (Olawole), Wilkinson (Enkotosia), Boakye-King, Buskell, Wood, Ladegbaye, Eze (Adebayo), Pedder
CRYSTAL PALACE
Little Heath
3 - 2 (Obi 53', Leacok 74', Dike 90+6')
8 November 2025
Hooper
Perkins
Scanlon
Fejokwu (Jonyla)
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang (Thomas)
Dike
Brooks (Unwin)
Obi (Kerr)
Beckford
Medine
West Ham United U18s made it four wins on the spin with a dramatic 3-2 victory over league leaders Crystal Palace, coming from behind twice before Andre Dike’s stoppage-time strike sealed the points. Captain Callum Leacock and Chuk Obi also netted in a pulsating five-goal clash.
Palace arrived top of the table with 18 points from nine games, but West Ham’s confidence from three straight wins was evident. Obi threatened early, and Finley Hooper produced a superb save to deny Mylo Bernard after a defensive slip. Obi remained lively, hitting the post and testing the keeper again before Palace struck first in the 32nd minute through Jacob Fasida’s low finish from a corner.
After the break, West Ham pressed hard. Obi linked with Medine and Beckford to level calmly on 52 minutes. Palace hit back on the counter, David Montjen squeezing a shot in off the post. Undeterred, the Hammers pushed on. Obi went close again before Leacock slid in to equalise from another Medine delivery. Medine nearly added a third, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Palace threatened late, but West Ham held firm. Then, in the 96th minute, Dike danced through defenders and rifled home the winner — his eighth of the season — sparking jubilant celebrations and a statement win.
Crystal Palace U18s:
Whitworth, Muwana, Fasida, Walker-Smith, Somade, Okoli, Oduro (Lamidi), Danaher (Bonsu-Amako), Bernard-Ferguson, Bernard (Martin) Montjen
IPSWICH TOWN : Premier League Cup (Group E)
Playford Road
5 - 0 (Obi 13', 35', 47', Beckford 54', Omotoyo 68')
22 November 2025
Hooper
Perkins (Scanlon)
Jonyla
Fejokwu
Montague
Unwin (Morris-Agyemang)
Peychev
Thomas
Obi (Balogun)
Beckford (Omotoye)
Kerr
West Ham United U18s powered into the Premier League Cup quarter‑finals with a ruthless 5–0 dismantling of Ipswich Town, extending their winning streak to five and completing a flawless Group E campaign.
Sixteen‑year‑old Chuk Obi stole the afternoon with a superb hat‑trick, while Lewis Beckford and Tyrone Omotoye added further gloss to a dominant display from the reigning champions. From the opening whistle, West Ham carried the same swagger that produced November’s 8–2 league win, with Joel Kerr repeatedly ripping down the left and Isaac Thomas going close early on.
The breakthrough felt inevitable and arrived on 12 minutes: Beckford’s sharp footwork released Kerr, whose cross found Obi for a confident opener. Ipswich briefly threatened, but West Ham punished their wastefulness. A high press forced a turnover, Beckford danced through challenges, and Obi tucked away his second to make it 2–0 before the break.
Obi completed his hat‑trick seconds into the second half, driving inside and drilling low into the corner. Beckford then added a classy fourth, latching onto Jonathan Unwin’s incisive pass and finishing with calm authority. Omotoye rounded things off with a sharp counter‑attacking strike for 5–0.
Ipswich twice hit the bar late on, but West Ham’s professionalism never wavered. Nine unbeaten in the competition, three straight seasons into the knockouts – the U18s march on with purpose.
Ipswich Town U18s:
Fletcher, Brown, O’Sullivan, Olawale (Adebayo), Wilkinson (Buskell), Longwe, Pedder, Wood (Mcloughin), Yurevich, Berry (Enkotosia), Adetiba
PRESTON NORTH END : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)
Deepdale
1 - 1 (Dike 57' [pen]) [5-4 pens]
26 November 2025
Hooper
Perkins (Fejokwu)
Scanlon (Jonyla)
Leacock
Golambeckis
Morris-Agyemang
Dike
Unwin (Brooks)
Obi (Balogun)
Beckford
Medine Jep (Kerr)
West Ham United U18s booked their place in the FA Youth Cup fourth round after a dramatic, nerve‑jangling penalty shootout win over Preston North End at Deepdale.
A cagey first half produced little beyond half‑chances – Callum Leacock’s header blocked, Chuk Obi denied one‑on‑one, and Fin Hooper untroubled aside from a Nolan header over the bar. But the game exploded into life after the interval. Lewis Beckford was felled by Clayton Lescott, and Andre Dike calmly sent Li‑Bau Stowell the wrong way from the spot.
What followed was nine minutes of pure chaos. Hooper clattered Marshall Longson and escaped with a yellow, Shay Reid smashed the resulting free‑kick into the top corner, and Longson was then sent off for impeding Hooper. West Ham pushed hard: Morris‑Agyemang hit the post, Dike was denied in a scramble, yet Preston almost stole it late through Nolan and Gryba.
Extra‑time brought waves of West Ham pressure – Beckford wide, Morris‑Agyemang over, Balogun thwarted by a goal‑line clearance – but no breakthrough. Penalties beckoned.
Hooper turned hero, saving three spot‑kicks, and after Nathan Snowball was denied, Reggie Morris‑Agyemang stepped up to bury the decisive effort. A wild, breathless cup tie, settled by West Ham’s nerve and their goalkeeper’s brilliance.
Preston North End U18s:
Stowell, Nolan, Tonkin, Snowball, Longson, Gerrard (Blake), Lescott, Forwood, Lam (Ayodele), Reid (Robinson), Gryba
CHELSEA
Little Heath
1 - 2 (Kerr 74')
29 November 2025
Awesu
Perkins
Jonyla
Fejokwu
Montague
Thomas
Peychev (Omotoye)
Brooks (Morris-Agyemang)
Obi (Balogun)
Beckford
Dike (Kerr)
West Ham United U18s slipped to a narrow 2–1 defeat against unbeaten Chelsea at Little Heath, despite a late strike from substitute Joel Kerr that briefly threatened a comeback.
Chelsea landed an early punch, scoring inside two minutes when captain Olutayo Subuloye looped a header into the top corner from a corner. West Ham almost hit straight back as Lewis Beckford charged down the goalkeeper’s clearance, the rebound rolling inches wide, before Charles Holland rattled the bar in a frantic opening spell.
The Hammers settled well, defending with grit and carving out chances of their own. Vinnie Perkins produced a superb recovery tackle, then released Chuk Obi with a brilliant pass, only for the forward to drag his effort wide. Andre Dike also went close after strong midfield pressing, while Isaac Thomas tracked back sharply to snuff out a Chelsea break.
But just before half-time, the Blues doubled their lead when Reggie Watson curled a free-kick over the wall for 2–0. West Ham emerged with intent after the interval, pushing Dike and Obi into promising areas, yet Chelsea held firm. Lanre Awesu kept the hosts in it with a calm save from Sol Gordon, and the lifeline finally arrived on 74 minutes: Tyrone Omotoye won the ball high, fed Kerr, and the winger bent a superb finish into the bottom corner.
The Hammers pressed late on, with Majid Balogun cutting inside for one last effort, but Hudson Sands held firm and Chelsea’s unbeaten run remained intact.
Chelsea U18s:
Sands (Waite), Ebho, Richards (Bernal), Subuloye, Diakite, Da Silva, Gordon, Watson, Ezenwata, Holland (Greenwood), Eboue
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Fitlife Foods Performance Centre
5 - 1 (Balogun 7', Kerr 8', 24', Dike 36', 58')
6 December 2025
Awesu
Perkins
Sconlon
Montague
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang (Omotoye)
Dike
Brooks
Kerr (Obi)
Beckford
Balogun (Medine Jep)
West Ham United U18s closed out the calendar year in ruthless style, dismantling West Bromwich Albion 5–1 at Little Heath with a performance full of pace, precision and conviction. Joel Kerr and Andre Dike each struck twice, Majid Balogun added another, and the young Hammers responded emphatically to last week’s narrow defeat to Chelsea.
The tone was set inside two minutes. Balogun pounced on a defensive error, raced clear and finished coolly. Kerr doubled the lead moments later, latching onto Joe Scanlon’s perfectly‑timed pass and slotting home with composure. West Brom briefly thought they had halved the deficit from a set piece, only for an offside flag to intervene, and West Ham punished them immediately. Lewis Beckford surged through midfield and slipped Kerr in again, the forward making it 3–0 with a confident finish.
The press continued to suffocate West Brom, and Conor Brooks’ ball‑winning sparked the fourth: Dike cutting inside and drilling low into the corner. The Hammers’ transitions remained lethal, with Balogun and Kerr both going close before the break.
Dike added his second early in the second half after another slick Beckford combination, and although West Brom grabbed a late consolation through Frazer Billings, the damage was long done. With Kerr electric, Beckford influential, and Leacock outstanding defensively, West Ham climbed into the top half and signed off the year with a statement win.
West Bromwich Albion U18s:
Lines, Asomugha (Parmar), Letlat (Billings), Iqbal, Shaw, Jackson, McNeil (Freddie-George), Bastafield, Okoroduda (Olumide), Sankohl (Oluwatobiloba 45)
NORWICH CITY
Rush Green
4 - 2 (Brooks 26', Medine 48', 69', 90+1')
10 January 2026
Hooper
Perkins (Fejokwu)
Scanlon (Jonyla)
Montague
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Obi)
Brooks (Omotoye)
Kerr
Beckford
Medine Jep
West Ham United U18s opened the new year with a vibrant 4–2 win over Norwich City at Rush Green, driven by Connor Brooks’ opener and a superb hat‑trick from Jephthah Medine – their eighth victory in ten matches across all competitions.
Norwich carved out the early chances, with Finley Hooper producing a sharp one‑on‑one save from Finlay Corke and Steele threatening soon after. But West Ham struck first just before the half‑hour: Andre Dike cut inside and unleashed a fierce drive, Stowell parried, and Brooks reacted quickest to sweep in the rebound.
A clever corner routine almost produced a second through Medine, yet Norwich levelled before the break when their press forced a defensive mix‑up and Corke pounced.
West Ham emerged transformed after half‑time. Dike slid Medine in behind with a perfectly weighted pass, and the winger curled a composed finish into the far corner. Norwich hit back again through Steele, but the Hammers responded with growing authority. Scanlon went close, Hooper tipped Rowland’s long‑range rocket onto the bar, and the momentum swung decisively.
Medine restored the lead on 70 minutes, reacting fastest after Dike’s dazzling wing play forced a save. Norwich pressed relentlessly, yet West Ham held firm, and Medine sealed his hat‑trick late on – shifting onto his right and drilling home with conviction to complete a deserved 4–2 win.
Norwich City U18s:
Ruddy, Glossop, Oligbo, Gwanzura, Okpiabhele, Rowland, Mundle (Cooper), Sinclair-Brown, Corke, Collins (McCourt), Steele (Northover)
EVERTON : FA Youth Cup (Fourth Round)
Goodison Park
2 - 2 (Beckford 30', Dike 69' [pen]) [0-3 pens]
16 January 2026
Hooper
Perkins
Scanlon (Jonyla)
Leacock
Golambeckis (Fejokwu)
Morris-Agyemang (Thomas)
Dike
Brooks (Unwin)
Obi (Peychev)
Beckford
Medine Jep (Omotoye)
West Ham United U18s saw their FA Youth Cup run end in brutal fashion at Goodison Park, losing on penalties after a breathless 2–2 draw that swung wildly from dominance to desperation and back again.
Lewis Beckford lit the tie up on the half‑hour, cushioning Medine’s cross, lifting the ball over Kean Wren and volleying into the far corner – a moment of class that capped a spell of total West Ham control. But the game flipped in an instant. A defensive mix‑up allowed Braiden Graham to race through and finish, and deep into stoppage time Shea Pita snuck in behind to turn the tie on its head.
West Ham regrouped after the break, trading blows with Everton before Andre Dike dragged his side level from the spot, earning and converting the penalty with trademark conviction. Extra‑time was frantic, with Hooper, Leacock and Dike producing huge defensive interventions, Obi lashing wide from close range, and Tomas Jonyla firing over when unmarked at the back post. Everton almost won it at the death, Isaac Thomas seeing red for a foul on the edge of the box, but the Hammers held firm.
The shootout proved decisive. England youth goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks saved three West Ham penalties, and despite the courage and chaos of 120 minutes, the young Irons’ cup journey ended on the cruelest of margins.
Everton U18s:
Lukjanciks, Matos, Poland, Evans, McEveley, Akarakiri, Pita (Clarke), Olayiwola (Lambert), Loney (Robert), Graham, Wren (Nsangou)
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Knighthead Performance Centre
2 - 1 (Peychev 62', Scanlon 81')
24 January 2026
Awesu
Healy-Matthews
Jonyla (Scanlon)
Smith
Leacock
Unwin (Omotoye)
Dike
Brooks
Chigwada (Obi)
Beckford
Peychev (Montague)
West Ham United U18s showed real grit and maturity to overturn a deficit and beat Birmingham City 2–1, with second‑half goals from Martin Peychev and Joe Scanlon extending their strong Premier League South form.
Birmingham, buoyed by three wins in five, started sharply. Kian McCusker broke through early, only for Lanre Awesu to stand tall with an important save. West Ham soon carved out chances of their own: David Chigwada almost marked his injury return with a close‑range effort, while Andre Dike fired into the side‑netting after a superb threaded pass from Lewis Beckford.
The game was tight, tense, and scrappy, with Birmingham’s press disrupting West Ham’s rhythm. Yet the Hammers grew into the contest, debutant Healy Matthews bursting down the right to create a double chance that forced an outstanding stop from Szymon Terenowicz. Dike then intercepted a loose pass before half‑time but dragged his shot wide.
Birmingham struck first after the restart, Nikolai Digtiarev finishing low after neat build‑up. But Luke Smith’s response was instant and decisive. A switch of flanks for Peychev and Dike paid off within minutes: Dike burst down the right, beat his man, and cut back for Peychev to tap home the equaliser.
West Ham pushed on, Omotoye teeing up Beckford for a blocked effort, before the decisive moment arrived late. Sustained pressure forced a Birmingham mistake, and Joe Scanlon pounced, driving into the box and finishing smartly at the near post to seal a deserved comeback victory.
Birmingham City U18s:
Terenowicz, Pearsall, Balmer (Jones), Campbell, Okpapi (Jawara) Martin-Moore, Degtiarev, Ralph (Greer), Hawkeswood, Elmansuri, McCusker (Reilly)
SOUTHAMPTON
Rush Green
5 - 2 (Chigwada 6', Fejokwu 13', Peychev 47', Dike 67', Kerr 71')
31 January 2026
Awesu
Fejokwu (Healy-Matthews)
Jonyla
Smith
Leacock
Unwin
Dike (Montague)
Brooks (Omotoye)
Chigwada (Kerr)
Beckford
Peychev
West Ham United U18s surged into fourth place with a commanding 5–2 win over Southampton, extending their league streak to four straight victories and showcasing the depth and confidence running through Luke Smith’s side. Five different scorers – David Chigwada, Emmanuel Fejokwu, Andre Dike, Martin Peychev and Joel Kerr – underlined the dominance.
The tone was set early. West Ham’s high press rattled Southampton from the first whistle, and inside six minutes Chigwada punished a turnover with a composed finish into the bottom corner. Moments later, Tomas Jonyla’s pinpoint corner caused chaos, allowing Fejokwu to tap in his first U18s goal.
Southampton briefly rallied down the right through Kynan Duffy, but West Ham’s back line held firm, while Fejokwu remained a menace from set pieces. After the break, another Jonyla corner slipped from the goalkeeper’s grasp, and Peychev reacted quickest to make it 3–0.
Dike, relentless all afternoon, finally got his reward after the hour, shifting onto his left and rifling home for 4–0. Southampton pulled one back through Harry Gathercole, but Kerr swiftly restored the cushion, capitalising on a loose back pass with icy composure.
A late long‑range strike from Thierry Rohart‑Brown trimmed the scoreline, but the story belonged to West Ham: aggressive, inventive, and ruthless, climbing above Southampton with a statement 5–2 victory.
Southampton U18s:
Moloney, Rodda (Day), Vallance, Sewell, Goremusandu, Nutter, Duffy (Hawe), Rohart-Brown, Daniels (Umeh), McMullan (Little), Gathercole
ASTON VILLA : Premier League Cup (Quarter-Final)
Rush Green
1 - 1 (Dike 55') [5-4 pens]
3 February 2026
Awesu (Goodger)
Montague
Scanlon
Fejokwu
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike
Thomas (Brooks)
Obi (Kerr)
Beckford (Omotoye)
Medine Jep
West Ham United U18s booked their place in the Premier League Cup semi‑finals with ice‑cold composure from the spot, converting all five penalties to edge past reigning champions Aston Villa after a breathless, bruising quarter‑final at Rush Green.
Villa struck first against the run of play on 36 minutes, Bradley Burrowes drilling low into the far corner moments after Andre Dike had missed a golden chance. West Ham absorbed a flurry of contentious decisions and relied on Lanre Awesu, who produced several outstanding saves to keep the deficit at one.
The response after half‑time was immediate and emphatic. Ten minutes into the second period, Harry Montague flicked on a dangerous corner and Dike nodded home from close range, atoning for his earlier miss and swinging momentum firmly towards the hosts. Awesu then denied Burrowes again as the tie descended into chaos, both sides reduced to ten men – Medine harshly dismissed for a second yellow, Oliver Bindley sent off in stoppage time.
Extra‑time brought more drama. Substitute goalkeeper Tommy Goodger made a huge one‑on‑one save from Markie Meade, defenders threw themselves at everything, and a Jonyla corner that found the net was controversially ruled out.
Penalties decided it. Goodger saved Villa’s second effort, and West Ham were flawless: Kerr, Omotoye, Jonyla, Morris‑Agyemang and finally Dike all struck with conviction, sealing a superb victory and keeping the U18s’ title defence alive.
Aston Villa U18s:
Asemota, Melhuish, Bloomfield, Routh, Burgess (Barnard), Jenner (McGrath), Burrowes (Ramsey), Boyd (Fortes), Meade, Lynskey, Bindley
LEICESTER CITY
Little Heath
1 - 0 (Obi 35')
14 February 2026
Hooper
Healy-Matthews
Jonyla
Smith
Montague
Morris-Agyemang
Peychev (Thomas)
Unwin (Longman)
Chigwada (Scanlon)
Omotoye (Obi)
Kerr
West Ham United U18s kept their superb league run rolling with a gritty, disciplined 1–0 win over Leicester City, sealed by a sharp first‑half strike from Chuk Obi - his seventh of the season - and protected by a defence that refused to break under late pressure.
Leicester began with real bite, pressing high and carving out three big early chances. Jake Fletcher blazed over from close range, Bismark Owusu was denied by a strong Finley Hooper save, and Christian Boothe dragged wide in a two‑on‑one. West Ham steadied themselves, created through a clever Jonyla corner routine that saw Jonathan Unwin’s flick cleared off the line, and reshaped after Tyrone Omotoye’s early injury.
The breakthrough came from the substitute. Obi received the ball on the half‑turn, 20 yards out, and swept a precise low finish into the bottom corner. He later had a second ruled out for offside, while Hooper produced another outstanding save early in the second half to keep Owusu at bay.
West Ham threatened again through a flowing move involving Montague and Kyle Matthews, but Leicester remained dangerous, going direct and forcing Hooper into a Save‑of‑the‑Month contender when David Anugo broke through one‑on‑one.
In the closing stages, the young Hammers showed steel - organised, resilient, and unflustered - to close out a fifth straight league win and eight victories in their last nine. A mature, hard‑earned three points that tightens the chase at the top.
Leicester City U18s:
Marson, Aideed (Sutherington), Adeo, Manyumba, Diallo, Toko, Owusu, Lawrence, Fletcher (Anugo), Boothe, Colangelo-Allen
IPSWICH TOWN
Rush Green
1 - 2 (Obi 18')
21 February 2026
Awesu
Healy-Matthews (Montague)
Scanlon
Jonyla
Smith
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Chigwada)
Thomas (Longman)
Obi
Beckford
Medine Jep (Balogun)
West Ham United U18s’ superb league run finally stalled as Ipswich Town came from behind to snatch a 2–1 win at Rush Green, despite Chuk Obi’s early opener and a late surge from the hosts.
The Hammers, the form side across all Category One academies, started brightly. Isaac Thomas broke through first, only to be denied, before Lewis Beckford slipped Obi in with a perfect pass that also drew a strong save. Ipswich threatened too, William Unadike heading wide from close range, but West Ham made their pressure count on 17 minutes. A smart short free‑kick released Jephthah Medine, whose driven cross was turned in by Obi for 1–0.
Ipswich refused to wilt. Sidney Eldred intercepted a loose pass and finished calmly to level before half‑time, and the visitors carried that momentum into the second period. Jayden Adetiba forced a sharp save from Lanre Awesu, and Charlie Wood then met Bobby Sains’ deep cross to put Ipswich ahead.
Luke Smith’s changes injected urgency. David Chigwada and Majid Balogun pressed aggressively, Beckford found Obi again, and the striker’s sharp turn produced a shot that crashed against the post. Scanlon’s late surge down the left created another opening, but Balogun’s effort lacked power, and Chigwada’s last‑minute chance drifted wide.
A rare setback for a side that has been relentless, but the performance still carried the hallmarks of their rise: intensity, invention and refusal to fade.
Ipswich Town U18s:
Bentley, Brouwers, Berkeley-Agyepong (Compton), Olawole, Duggins, Sains, Unadike (Nicolaou), Longwe, Eldred, Wood (Pedder), Adetiba (Boakye-King)
CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace Training Ground
2 - 3 (Obi 39', Dike 45')
28 February 2026
Awesu
Montague
Scanlon
Jonyla
Smith
Morris-Agyemang
Dike
Brooks
Obi
Beckford
Kerr
West Ham United U18s were edged out 3–2 by Crystal Palace in a wild, momentum‑swinging contest that saw the young Hammers almost complete a three‑goal comeback before falling just short.
Luke Smith’s side began brightly, combining sharply through Beckford, Dike and Obi, but Palace struck first when Donte Martin released David Angibeaud to finish calmly. A ricocheted clearance then bounced off Martin and into the net for 2–0, and Jacob Fasida’s thunderous strike into the top corner made it three before the half‑hour.
West Ham refused to fold. Joel Kerr ignited the fightback with a brilliant dribble and low cross that Obi swept home instantly. Minutes later, Kerr slid another dangerous ball into the box, Obi held off his marker and squared for Dike to tap in, dragging the score back to 3–2 before the break.
The second half was all West Ham. Kerr forced a strong save from Lucca Benetton, Dike repeatedly drove at the Palace back line, and defenders Reon Smith and Harry Montague produced huge interventions - Montague clearing off the line after Stuart Oduro broke through. Palace threatened on the counter, but Reggie Morris‑Agyemang’s superb recovery challenge denied Angibeaud a fourth.
Late drama saw Beckford sent off for a second yellow, and despite relentless pressure, the equaliser never came. A valiant, spirited comeback that fell agonisingly short.
Crystal Palace U18s:
Benetton, Judd, Frazer-Williams, Bull, Monk, Okoli, Drakes-Thomas (Oduro), Fasida, Martin, Anderson (Owoade), Angibeaud
MANCHESTER UNITED : Premier League cup (Semi-Final)
Trafford Training Centre
1 - 3 (Kerr 32') aet
3 March 2026
Hooper
Montague (Jonyla)
Scanlon
Fejokwu
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike
Brooks (Unwin)
Obi
Kerr (Chigwada)
Medine Jep (Balogun)
West Ham United U18s’ defence of their Premier League Cup crown ended in heartbreak at Carrington, where Manchester United struck twice in extra‑time to win a pulsating semi‑final after 120 minutes of end‑to‑end football.
The young Hammers were outstanding for long stretches, pressing high, disrupting United’s rhythm and carving out the clearer chances. Their dominance was rewarded on the half‑hour when Reggie Morris fed Joel Kerr, a ricochet sent the ball back into his path, and the Northern Ireland youth international drove forward to bury a crisp low finish from the edge of the box.
United levelled before the break through JJ Gabriel after a sharp move down the middle, but the second half belonged to West Ham. Dike was denied bravely by Byrne‑Hughes, Medine rattled the crossbar with a curling effort, Obi and Dike both saw chances blocked or deflected wide, and Scanlon’s delivery narrowly evaded Fejokwu. The Hammers had everything but the second goal.
Extra‑time remained breathless. Goodger, on for Awesu, made a huge one‑on‑one save from Markie Meade, while Balogun and Dike were inches from forcing the winner. But United struck twice late on: Junior Brown’s curling finish and Kai Rooney’s composed strike proved decisive.
Even in defeat, West Ham’s resilience, intensity and ambition shone through - a valiant exit from a competition they have illuminated for three straight seasons.
Manchester United U18s:
Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer, Watson, McCormack (McEvoy), Brown (Shah), Thwaites, Bradbury (Rooney), Gabriel, Ajayi (Nkoto)
FULHAM
Motspur Park
1 - 1 (Obi 83')
14 March 2026
Awesu
Brooks
Jonyla
Fejokwu
Montague
Morris-Agyemang
Balogun (Obi)
Longman (Thomas)
Chigwada (Peychev)
Beckford
Medine Jep (Omotoye)
West Ham United U18s were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw at Motspur Park, a result that felt like two points dropped after Chuk Obi’s late breakthrough was cancelled out even later by Fulham’s Bashil Lubega.
Level on points with Fulham heading into the afternoon, and still carrying the sting of their Premier League Cup semi‑final exit, the young Hammers began with real intent. David Chigwada and Jephthah Medine stretched Fulham repeatedly in the opening spell, yet it was Harry Montague who produced the first decisive moment - a superb goal‑line clearance to deny William Sutton‑Bangura after a turnover. Moments later, he repeated the feat in another scramble, keeping West Ham afloat during a spell of Fulham pressure.
Gradually, Luke Smith’s side settled and began to find rhythm down the left. Medine and Lewis Beckford combined sharply, and five minutes before the interval Beckford stung Oliver Mayer’s palms with the first clear West Ham chance. Goalless at the break, but with the game beginning to tilt.
The second half opened with Majid Balogun’s pace causing immediate problems, stretching Fulham’s right side. On the hour, Smith made his move: Chigwada and Balogun off, Obi and Martin Peychev on - a change that would define the closing stages. Beckford continued to dictate midfield, threading passes and probing for openings, while at the other end Lanre Awesu made a vital save to deny Brodie Dair, preserving the clean sheet as the tension rose.
Finally, patience paid off. With seven minutes left, the substitutes combined: Peychev’s measured cross, Obi’s instinctive finish - his tenth of the season — and West Ham had the breakthrough they had been building towards. But Fulham refused to fold. Three minutes from time, Dylan De‑Gale slipped Lubega through with a perfectly weighted pass, and the forward fired past Awesu to level the match.
West Ham pushed again, Beckford still scheming, Obi still threatening, but the winner would not come. After a late flurry at both ends, the sides shared the points - a result that felt frustrating for the Hammers, yet still underlined their resilience, structure and ability to control long stretches of a tight derby.
Fulham U18s:
Mayer, White, Morrison, Driscoll, Benchaita, Sutton-Bangura (Batra), Vally (De-Gale), Obeng-John, Evans (Cavell), Konadu-Wall, Dair (Lubega)
ASTON VILLA
Bodymoor Heath Training Ground
1 - 3 (Scanlon 65')
17 March 2026
Awesu
Brooks
Jonyla (Scanlon)
Fejokwu
Montague
Morris-Agyemang
Peychev (Longman)
Thomas (Chigwada)
Obi
Beckford
Medine Jep (Balogun)
West Ham United U18s slipped to a 3–1 defeat at Aston Villa, a result that stung not because of effort or intent, but because the game turned sharply after a promising hour in which the young Hammers had worked their way back into the contest.
Luke Smith made three changes from the Fulham draw, bringing in Martin Peychev, Isaac Thomas and Chuk Obi, and the first half reflected a tight, tactical battle. Chances were scarce, bookings for Jephthah Medine and Tomas Jonyla punctuated the rhythm, and both sides largely cancelled each other out.
Six minutes after the restart, Villa found the breakthrough. Jack McGrath stepped up over a direct free‑kick and struck cleanly, beating Lanre Awesu to give the hosts the lead. Smith reacted quickly, introducing Joe Scanlon and Majid Balogun, and the impact was immediate. On 65 minutes, Beckford threaded a pass into Scanlon, whose driven effort took a deflection and flew into the roof of the net for 1–1.
For a brief spell, West Ham looked the likelier side. Jude Longman and David Chigwada were added to inject fresh energy, but Villa’s response was ruthless. Substitute Markie Meade capitalised on a loose moment in the box to restore their lead on 73 minutes, and as West Ham pushed forward late on, McGrath struck again in added time to seal the result.
A frustrating afternoon, shaped by fine margins, but another reminder of the depth, resilience and ambition in this U18 group as they move into the final stretch of the season.
Aston Villa U18s:
Oakley, Pinnell, Wilson (Melhuish), Atkins, Bloomfield, Kweku, McGrath, Bindley, Ramsey (Meade), Boyd (Lloyd), Hammond (Blake)
READING
Little Heath
1 - 2 (Peychev 10')
4 April 2026
Awesu
Brooks (Smith)
Scanlon
Fejokwu
Montague
Morris-Agyemang
Medine Jep
Longman
Chigwada (Kerr)
Peychev (Omotoye)
Balogun (Jonyla)
West Ham United U18s were edged out 2–1 by Reading at Little Heath, a result that felt harsh after a front‑foot, energetic performance in which Martin Peychev’s early goal had seemed to set the tone.
The Hammers flew out of the blocks. Reggie Morris’ high press created the first opening, Peychev slipping in Jephthah Medine only for Joshua Yensu to smother. Moments later, Majid Balogun beat his man and picked out Peychev, whose volley drifted wide. The breakthrough arrived on ten minutes: Medine’s driven effort deflected kindly, and Peychev reacted sharply to head home.
West Ham kept Reading pinned back. Jude Longman’s low free‑kick almost caught the visitors out, Balogun forced another save after Chigwada’s interception, and the press repeatedly disrupted Reading’s attempts to build. Yet, against the run of play, Reading levelled just before the interval. T’Shay St Louis burst to the byline, the initial shot was blocked, and Raguel Ntege’s acrobatic effort was turned in by Larry Omoregie.
Reading emerged from the break with renewed purpose. St Louis again found space, and on 50 minutes Jacob Neptune rose highest from a corner to head the visitors in front. The match tightened, both sides cancelling each other out in a tense middle spell, though Reading nearly added a third when Toby Lewis’ effort was inadvertently blocked by a teammate.
West Ham’s best route back came from set pieces. Longman’s deliveries repeatedly caused problems, and Morris forced Yensu into another strong save. In the closing moments, a well‑worked short routine released Medine — now switched to the left after Balogun’s injury — but his curling effort drifted just wide.
Reading U18s:
Yensu, Kaninda (Lewis), Callelif, Coffey, Neptune, Irish, St Louis, Dekam Omoregie (Agyekum), Adjei, Ntege (Doy)
CHELSEA
Cobham Training Ground
2 - 4 (Dike 4', Peychev 90+1')
11 April 2026
Awesu
Healey-Matthews (Montague)
JonylaLeacock
Fejokwu
Unwin
Dike
Brooks (Thomas)
Chigwada (Kerr)
Beckford
Balogun (Peychev)
West Ham United U18s were undone 4–2 at Cobham, a scoreline that flattered Chelsea’s late surge more than it reflected the balance of the contest, but one that nonetheless halted the Hammers’ push toward the top end of the Premier League South table.
Andre Dike set the tone inside four minutes, driving in from the right and bending home his 16th of the season - a trademark finish, early, incisive, and full of conviction. Chelsea, though, responded instantly. Mahdi Nicoll‑Jazuli’s cross found Mathis Eboué, who headed in from close range, and the hosts rode that momentum through a first half in which West Ham still carved half‑openings through Dike and Lewis Beckford, while Lanre Awesu produced a superb intervention to deny Jashayde Mensah‑Greenwood.
The second half swung sharply. West Ham began brightly down the left through Majid Balogun and Tomas Jonyla, but a late lunge from Kyle Healy‑Matthews handed Chelsea a penalty, converted by Mensah‑Greenwood. Awesu kept the Hammers alive with a fine save from Eboué, yet minutes later Ibrahim Rabbaj launched a devastating counter, surging forward and supplying Sol Gordon for 3–1.
Dike and Beckford kept threatening, refusing to let the game drift, but Chelsea struck again through schoolboy Andrew Pennie to stretch the margin. Even then, West Ham found a final punch: Martin Peychev, sharp off the bench and in scoring form, tucked away his fourth league goal of the season to narrow the gap.
Chelsea U18s:
Bell, Subuloye, Diakite, Ebho, Waite, Gordon, Eboué, Badu (Richards), Barbour (Rabbaj), Nicoll-Jazuli, Mensah-Greenwood (Pennie)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Little Heath
2 - 4 (Dike 29' [pen], Chigwada 90+2')
18 April 2026
Goodger
Healey-Matthews (Unwin)
Tonebi
Montague (Smith)
Leacock
Brooks
Balogun (Omotoye)
Beckford
Chigwada
Peychev (Medine Jep)
Dike
West Ham United U18s were beaten 4–2 by West Bromwich Albion at Little Heath, a result that stung not because of effort or attitude, but because the game swung violently in a 12‑minute spell after half‑time that the young Hammers simply couldn’t recover from.
Fresh from lifting the U17 Premier League Cup, Luke Smith rotated his side, handing a debut to 15‑year‑old Concillo Tonebi and restoring Tommy Goodger in goal. The start was encouraging. David Chigwada burst down the right and cut inside for the game’s first big chance, his effort drifting just wide. But West Brom, in excellent form, struck first: George Shaw rose highest at a corner and powered in a header after just seven minutes.
The visitors’ confidence grew. Justin Seven twice threatened — first denied by Goodger’s sharp save, then rattling the crossbar after a brilliant solo run. West Ham responded through Andre Dike, whose perfectly weighted pass released Lewis Beckford, though the angle proved too tight. Moments later, intense pressing forced a mistake from goalkeeper Maxwell Moses, Dike intercepted, drove into the box and was brought down. He converted the penalty himself with trademark calm to level the match.
West Ham nearly went in ahead. Connor Brooks’ underlapping run produced a double chance for Dike, the first blocked, the second cleared off the line. But after the break, the match flipped.
In a devastating 12‑minute spell, West Brom scored three times. Adam Letlat cut inside and drilled a superb finish into the bottom corner. Seven then broke through from a long ball, winning a penalty that Harry French dispatched. Another direct pass sent Jaiden Francis‑Caesar racing clear, and he finished confidently for 4–1.
Still, West Ham refused to fade. Martin Peychev created danger down the left, Dike saw an effort deflected, and substitutes Tyrone Omotoye and Jephthah Medine injected energy. A slick move down the flank produced a chance for Brooks, but he couldn’t connect cleanly. The Hammers kept pushing and were rewarded late on when Chigwada smashed into the roof of the net after West Brom failed to clear.
West Bromwich Albion U18s:
Moses, Abudu, Letlat, Labal, Perkins, Shaw (Round), Iddrisa ©, Gompe (Sankoh), Seven (Dexter), French, Francis-Caesar (Rice)
ARSENAL
Sobha Realty Training Centre
4 - 3 (Beckford 19', Obi 45+2', Dike 66', 90+4' [pen])
25 April 2026
Awesu
Brooks
Scanlon (Kerr)
Smith
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike
Longman (Thomas)
Obi
Beckford (Omotoye)
Balogun (Medine Jep)
West Ham United U18s snapped their seven‑game winless league run with a breathless 4–3 victory over Arsenal, sealed by Andre Dike’s ice‑cold stoppage‑time penalty in a seven‑goal thriller.
Arsenal struck early when Bowen Phillips punished a misplaced pass from Lanre Awesu, and Saursp Sampang’s surging run restored the hosts’ lead after Lewis Beckford had levelled with a brilliant tackle‑and‑curl finish. West Ham refused to fold, and Connor Brooks’ driving run and perfectly weighted pass sent Chuk Obi through to make it 2–2 at the break.
The Hammers took control after half‑time, a long throw from Brooks allowing Dike to pounce for 3–2. But the drama escalated: Callum Leacock conceded a penalty that Louis Zečević‑John converted, then saw red for dissent before the restart.
Arsenal nearly stole it when John raced through one‑on‑one, but his effort flashed wide. Deep into stoppage time, Jephthah Medine broke in behind and whipped a dangerous cross across goal. Dike reached it first, was shoved in the back, and stepped up to bury the decisive penalty with total composure.
Arsenal U18s:
Lupinski, Sampang, Abubakar, Owusu-Gyasi (Van der Straaten), Mbala, Murisa, John, Nwaneri (Arteta), Thompson (Purdy) Hashi, Phillips (Marciniak)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Hotspur Way Training Centre
2 - 1 (Obi 35', Morris-Agyemang 45' [pen])
29 April 2026
Awesu
Peychev
Scanlon
Omotoye
Brooks
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Longman)
Beckford
Obi (Chigwada)
Kerr
Medine Jep (Balogun)
West Ham United U18s backed up their 4–3 thriller at Arsenal with another superb London derby win, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 at Hotspur Way just three days later. A dominant first‑half display set the tone, with Chuk Obi firing home after sustained pressure before captain Reggie Morris doubled the lead from the spot on the stroke of half‑time — his first goal at U18 level.
Spurs had threatened early through Oliver Boast and Tyler Tingey, both denied by Lanre Awesu, while Morris’ high press created West Ham’s best opening before the breakthrough. The Hammers’ possession play grew increasingly slick, culminating in Andre Dike’s pinpoint cross for Obi to finish at the second attempt.
Awesu produced another outstanding save to keep out Reiss Elliot‑Parris one‑on‑one, a moment that proved vital as Morris won and converted the penalty moments later.
The second half demanded resilience. Spurs pushed hard, Feeney went close, and Cameron Thomas’ dangerous cross forced Connor Brooks into an own goal to make it 2–1. With momentum swinging, West Ham dug in, Martin Peychev — impressive at full‑back — making a crucial block as Spurs chased an equaliser.
Under pressure and away from home, the young Hammers held firm to secure back‑to‑back derby victories and a statement win in a demanding week.
Tottenham Hotspur U18s:
Irow, Thomas (Myrtaj), Agyekum (Adewole), Hanson, Tingey, Tye Hall, Boast, Feeney, Elliot-Parris (Philbert), Muslika, Glancy (Salted)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Little Heath
3 - 2 (Thomas 8', Chigwada 25', Medine 90+14')
2 May 2026
Awesu
Brooks (Kerr)
Scanlon
Fejokwu
Smith
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Medine Jep)
Thomas
Chigwada (Omotoye)
Peychev
Balogun
West Ham United U18s made it three wins in eight days with a wild 3–2 victory over Brighton at Little Heath, sealed by Jephthah Medine’s stunning free‑kick in the 14th minute of added time. After derby wins over Arsenal and Spurs, this was the most dramatic of the lot.
The young Hammers dominated the first half and led 2–0 inside 20 minutes. Martin Peychev’s corner was met by Zak Thomas for the opener, before Majid Balogun punished a loose pass and fed David Chigwada to double the lead. Brighton threatened sporadically, but West Ham controlled possession and might have had a third when Joe Scanlon fizzed a strike just wide.
The second half tightened, Brighton growing into the contest without finding a breakthrough — until stoppage time. With 12 minutes added after a lengthy injury delay, chaos erupted. Jacob Parsons headed in from close range, and Henry Kasvosve wriggled free to smash home an equaliser, flipping the momentum entirely.
But West Ham refused to fold. With seconds left, Medine stepped up over a free‑kick and bent a superb finish into the bottom corner, celebrating with a double flip worthy of an Olympic final. A breathless finish, another three points, and the young Hammers’ top‑six hopes very much alive.
Brighton & Hove Albion U18s:
Doyle, Outen, Anah (Crutchett), Ademola, Evans (Brown), Brennan (Sykens), Kasvosve, Ibrahim, Parsons, Oppong (Smith), Newnham-Reeve
ARSENAL
Little Heath
1 - 2 (Obi 5')
5 May 2026
Awesu
Peychev
Scanlon
Montague (Omotoye)
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Kerr)
Longman
Obi
Beckford (Unwin)
Medine Jep
West Ham United U18s saw their three‑game winning streak halted as Arsenal edged a narrow 2–1 victory at Little Heath, despite the Hammers striking first through Chuk Obi inside five minutes. A sharp one‑two between Joe Scanlon and Jephthah Medine opened the door for Obi to fire home his 16th of the season, but Arsenal hit back quickly. Evan Mooney forced a save from Lanre Awesu and then levelled from the resulting corner, his deflected volley creeping in off the post.
The first half remained frantic, with both sides trading chances. Medine’s cross almost forced an own goal, Beckford saw a drive blocked, and Awesu twice denied Mooney one‑on‑one to keep West Ham level at the break.
Arsenal struck the decisive blow within seconds of the restart. Andre Harriman‑Annous fizzed a ball across the box and Louis Zečević‑John’s half‑volley kissed the post on its way in. West Ham responded with sustained pressure: Ranson saved brilliantly from Medine and twice from Obi, while Beckford’s rebound was blocked by captain Patrick Stachow. At the other end, Callum Leacock produced a superb sliding challenge to stop Mooney adding a third. Luke Smith’s side pushed relentlessly, but the equaliser wouldn’t come, leaving Arsenal to take the points by the odd goal in three.
Arsenal U18s:
Ranson, John, Ogunnaike, Owusu-Gyasi, Stachow, Ibrahim (Hashi), O’Neill (Thompson), Julienne, Mooney (Marciniak), Harriman-Annous (Phillips), Bailey-Joseph
NORWICH CITY
Avant Training Centre
5 - 2 (Murphy 9', 54' [pen], Balogun 18', 43', Obi 90+1')
9 May 2026
Awesu
Fejokwu (Montague)
Tonebi
Smith
Leacock
UnwinKerr (Medine Jep)
Longman
Murphy
Peychev (Omotoye)
Balogun (Obi)
West Ham United U18s made it four wins from five with a commanding 5–2 victory over Norwich City at the Avant Training Centre, extending their superb record against the Canaries to nine wins in ten league meetings. Majid Balogun struck twice, a trialist No9 scored a brace of his own, and Chuk Obi added a stoppage‑time finish — his eighth goal in nine league games — as the young Hammers’ attacking form surged again.
West Ham dominated from the outset, earning a string of corners before Lanre Awesu’s precise long ball sent the trialist striker through to open the scoring. Balogun twice went close, hitting the post after a one‑on‑one, but made amends with a crisp finish into the far corner. Norwich rallied, forcing Awesu into sharp saves, yet Balogun struck again before the break, combining neatly with the trialist to make it 3–0.
Norwich hit back through Luke Chukwu just before half‑time, then Hugo Collins curled home on the counter to cut the deficit to 3–2 moments after the restart. But West Ham reasserted control. Balogun led a sweeping break that ended with the trialist winning and converting a penalty for 4–2, restoring breathing room.
The Hammers pushed on, and Obi sealed the win in stoppage time — another ruthless, free‑scoring display from a side hitting stride at exactly the right moment.
Norwich City U18s:
Bulen, Oligbo, Oserhiemen, Augusto (Madu), Gwanzura, Sinclair-Brown, Cooper, Wilkes (Duffy), Kipa (Northover), Collins, Chukwu (McCourt)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Amex Elite Performance Centre
1 - 3 (Obi 39')
12 May 2026
Goodger
Peychev (Unwin)
Scanlon
Montague
Leacock
Morris-Agyemang
Dike (Balogun)
Omotoye (Longman)
Obi
Murphy (Kerr)
Medine Jep
West Ham United U18s ended their 2025/26 campaign with a 3–1 defeat to Brighton at the AMEX Elite Performance Centre, unable to extend a strong run of four wins in five against one of the league’s most resilient defences. Brighton, needing only a point for a top‑half finish, struck inside five minutes when Zac Brennan collected a loose ball and curled into the top corner.
West Ham responded well, pressing high and controlling possession. Chuk Obi went close after being slipped through by Reggie Morris, and the equaliser arrived deservedly when Joe Scanlon and Jephthah Medine combined down the left, Medine’s first‑time cross turned home by Obi for his 17th of the season. Brighton almost hit back instantly — Cristiano Anah struck the post and then the bar — but Brennan restored the lead with the last kick of the half, sweeping in another excellent finish.
The second half opened evenly before Brighton struck decisively in transition. Substitute Daniel Rudin released Anah down the left, and this time the winger made no mistake, finishing one‑on‑one for 3–1. West Ham pushed hard late on, forcing corners and set‑pieces, but Brighton’s defence held firm to secure a top‑four finish and close out the season.
Brighton & Hove Albion City U18s:
Doyle, Outen, Crotchet, Ademola, Evans, Brennan, Newnham-Reeve (Dizayee), Cullinane (Fonyuy), Sanyang (Rudin), Oppong, Anah
