Two weeks ago the youth team took on West Ham United at Colney in what was a very entertaining game.
We started the game very brightly and took the lead on 13 minutes, Josh Dawkin cut in from the right-hand side and played the ball inside to Tyree Clarke who finished low into the corner of the West Ham goal with his left foot.
Just a minute later we had another opportunity to score, some excellent possession play saw Johnbull Osemwegie in space inside the opponent's area, though Johnbull dragged his shot wide of the goal when he really should have done better.
We continued to play some excellent attacking football and on 15 minutes extended the lead. Under-16 player Theo Jones progressed well down the right-hand side and produced an excellent cross into the box where Danny Kelly was on hand to stretch and score from close range.
On 22 minutes West Ham had their first chance of the game, Jed Steer pulled off a good save and Remy Gordon was on hand to clear the danger.
The lads responded well and within a minute should have made the score 3-0, Josh Dawkin did exceptionally well to work his way into a shooting opportunity but lacked composure in front of goal and dragged his shot wide.
After 41 minutes good build-up play from Josh Dawkin and Danny Kelly enabled Danny to deliver a cross from the wide left position, Johnbull Osemwegie climbed well to head home and give us a deserved 3-0 lead.
West Ham started the second half the better team and could have pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute but Jed Steer did very well to deny the West Ham winger.
Just before the hour-mark some good close control from Johnbull Osemwegie set up Tyree Clarke who hit his shot well only to see the ball rebound off the crossbar.
Good build-up play from West Ham finally paid dividends in the 79th minute when they fired the ball through a crowded area and high into our net from just inside the area giving Jed little chance.
In the 89th minute a wide free kick from West Ham was not cleared fully and volleyed back into the area toward goal and finished from close range to make the score 3-2.
We held firm for the final few minutes and secured a well-deserved 3-2 win.
Ricky Martin
Academy Manager
