Callum Marshall knows the entire West Ham United U18s squad will have a role to play if the young Hammers are to go the distance in the FA Youth Cup.
Marshall was on the bench for the first half of the third round clash with Sheffield United on Wednesday, but came on in the second half and scored a fantastic finish, setting the Irons on their way to a 3-1 win.
Victory away to the Blades means the U18s will face Burnley in the fourth round in January, and the young forward knows every player will have to step up if the team is going to progress further in the tournament.
“To be honest, I was disappointed when I found out I wouldn’t be starting,” Marshall told whufc.com. “But we all have a role to play and, when I came on, I was just determined to do my bit.
“I had a bit of a point to prove as well though and, luckily, after a couple of minutes, the ball landed nicely at my right foot and I just hit it so well. It was a good way to come on and have an impact on the game.
“The first half was quite scrappy but, in the second, we managed to put Sheffield United away. I feel like, once we scored, they didn’t really look like getting back into the game. They got their free-kick late on, but aside from that I think we defended decently and deserved to win the game.”
Divin Mubama also struck twice for the Hammers in a thoroughly deserved win at Alfreton Town’s Impact Arena, netting thanks to hard work from fellow striker Gideon Kodua.
With Marshall, Mubama and Kodua all in fine form, the team can score goals against anyone.
“Even in our half-time team talk, the chat was to give the ball to us three and we’d find a way to score goals,” the 18-year-old continued. “Kev always tells us we’re three of the best young attackers in the country and we have to keep delivering on that, each and every week.”
The young Hammers will now enjoy a short break in fixtures over the Christmas period, allowing Marshall the chance to reflect on a sensational six months in the Academy of Football.
After 11 goals for the U18s this campaign already, a host of U21s showings and a professional deal signed at the end of November, the attacker is keen to kick on even further in 2023.
“It’s been a mad six months to be fair. There have been up and downs, but the last few weeks have been good. I just want to keep going now, enjoy a short break for Christmas, and keep doing well when we’re back in.”
