Kaelan Casey and the West Ham United U18s are targeting a long and successful run in this season’s FA Youth Cup.
Kevin Keen’s young Hammers got their 2022/23 tournament underway on Wednesday with an impressive 3-1 win away to Sheffield United.
With another away trip already set in the fourth round – away to Burnley – Casey is eager to put on another good performance when the two sides meet in January.
The defender said: “I remember we played Burnley away in another cup competition last year and we won 3-0, but they’re another direct and physically tough team – a bit like Sheffield United – but we’re already looking forward to it.
“We want to do well again, get through, and have a good run in this competition.”
The Hammers and the Blades were all level at the interval in Wednesday’s third round fixture, albeit the visitors had dominated both possession and attacking opportunities.
Substitute Callum Marshall opened the scoring on 56 minutes with a sensational finish before Divin Mubama scored two clever efforts to secure the win.
“That’s what Callum does!” Casey smiles. “It’s a great strike and we all knew it was going in the moment he hit it with his right foot. Divin then pops up with two goals, which he takes well, and that gets us through. We’re all really happy.
“It was a different game, but it was a good game. Sheffield United were a very direct team but I think we dealt with it and the boys did well, particularly in the second half with the guys up front getting three goals. We’re all glad to be in the next round.”
Casey, along with a number of his teammates, have been back regularly training with Kevin Keen’s U18s group since the hiatus for the 2022 FIFA World Cup; an experience the defender has thoroughly enjoyed.
“It’s been very good being with this group. We got set a target to stay unbeaten until Christmas, and we’ve managed to do that. The atmosphere around the squad is superb and we’re all really happy with what we’ve achieved so far.”
