Two weeks ago the youth team travelled to West Ham to take on their under-18 counterparts and came away empty-handed following a 3-1 defeat.

Under-16 goalkeeper Remi Matthews was making his second appearance for the under-18s and was called upon after just two minutes when he did well to cling on to a 30-yard free kick.

West Ham scored their first after 15 minutes, a pass from out on the left-hand side of the penalty area was met on the slide by a West Ham forward and his shot was just out of the reach of Matthews in goal.

He was again called into action when he turned a shot around his post, only for West Ham to score from the resulting corner and extend their lead.

Just before the half time whistle we produced our best move of the first half, Patrick Drmola picked out Josh Dawkin on the break but his shot was well saved.

Dawkin and Danny Kelly both came close as the half came to end, but neither were able to find the back of the net.

Our task was made harder in the second half when Matt Ball was sent off for bringing down his man when he was through on goal.

On 74 minutes we pulled a goal back when Dawkin powered the ball beyond the West Ham goalkeeper, high into the net from a delightful George Francomb cross.

Despite being down to ten men we were playing some really good football and were looking to get back into the game and we continued to create some good chances without being able to provide the killer touch.

As we pushed for an equaliser we were exposed at the back and West Ham sealed the win when their striker finished well from the edge of the box giving Matthews no chance in our goal.

After a disappointing first half performance I was delighted with the manner in which we came out fighting in the second period. The sending off did not help matters, but we continued to show a good spirit and on another day could have come away with a point.

Ricky Martin
Academy Manager