Ryan Battrum's goalscoring contribution in West Ham United U18s' FA Youth Cup quarter-final win over Ipswich Town might just be the biggest moment in his young career so far.
Deep in extra-time, after a gruelling 90 minutes of frantic action ended 2-2 at Portman Road, it was Battrum who would ensure the lottery of a penalty shoot-out would not be required. The 17-year-old coolly passed into the corner of the net with his left-foot - his first goal for the U18s in all competitions - with just four minutes left on the clock.
Divin Mubama's goal deep into added time at the end of extra-time meant a final score of 4-2 to the Hammers, and playing such a crucial role in the win was something to treasure forever for Battrum.
"It’s hard to sum up my emotions because it’s one of the best days of my life," he told whufc.com. "I think the team deserve it. This season we have all worked really hard. We really have worked so hard for this.
"I just wanted to come on and try and make an impact and I did that. It’s an amazing feeling and I am absolutely buzzing."
Battrum was among the seven options available to head coach Kevin Keen from the bench in Wednesday's last eight outing. He and his fellow substitutes watched on as Ipswich took an early lead through Finley Barbrook's header, before seeing Calum Logan sent off in the first-half for fouling George Earthy as the last defender.
Captain Gideon Kodua levelled not long after but Ipswich pushed again in the second half, taking the advantage as Nico Valentine sweetly struck from distance. Again, West Ham responded, this time through Callum Marshall's sliding effort.
Every aspect of Wednesday's quarter-final was a battle.
"It is kind of frustrating because there is not much you can [do from the bench]," Battrium continued. "You’re just trying to egg the team on, shout things from the side and do everything you can to help them.
"And when I did get on I wanted to take my opportunity and the feel like I did that. I was speechless after the game. I took a few minutes to myself and just think wow that’s unbelievable. As I said the boys deserve it and I am buzzing."
The young Hammers received an education in crowds and supporter atmospheres at Portman Road, with an attendance of 3,721 greeting them at the EFL League One ground. Of that number, 663 fans were from the Claret and Blue faithful, cheering on and singing the Irons to victory.
"To some of the first years it’s quite new to us," Battrium admitted. "We haven’t played in front of a crowd a before, so to see the fans there is an unbelievable thing. It’s good they came to cheer us on, and I really enjoyed it."
The reward for the grit, grind and victory is a spot in the Youth Cup semi-finals, a feat West Ham have not achieved since the 1998/99 campaign; the season in which the side last won the entire tournament.
Being able to say you are in the last four is pretty special but Battrum is determined that the story will not end there.
"To be able to say we're semi-finalists, It’s an unbelievable feeling. Tonight, we weren’t at it but I think we dug until the end and kept on working until the end.
"Next round we have got to get everything right and I think we will."
