West Ham United U18s are through to their first FA Youth Cup semi-final in 18 years after overcoming a spirited, stubborn Ipswich Town 4-2 after extra-time on Wednesday evening.
Ipswich went ahead in front of a 3,721-strong crowd at Portman Road through Finley Barbrook's header before the Tractor Boys were reduced to ten men when last man Calum Logan saw red for pulling back George Earthy.
And West Ham leveled moments later when captain Gideon Kodua headed in a rebound to send the teams in locked at 1-1 at half-time.
Nico Valentine put the ten men of Ipswich ahead with a well-struck shot from outside the penalty area, but Callum Marshall was in the right place to hook the Hammers level again from Earthy's bouncing cross.
Neither side could find a winner in normal time, so an energy-sapping extra half-hour was played.
Ipswich looked to have earned a penalty shootout before substitute Ryan Battrum drilled into the bottom corner with four minutes to play. Referee Paul Johnson then played eight minutes of added-time, leading to a few nervy moments for the Irons before Divin Mubama fired home a fourth with the last kick of an enthralling, entertaining tie.
The semi-final draw will be held on Friday, when the winners of Thursday's quarter-final between Arsenal and Cambridge United, and the winners of the last-eight ties between Preston and Southampton and Manchester City and Oxford United being played early in March will also be in the hat.
Club photographer Arfa Griffiths made the trip to Suffolk to capture Wednesday's win on camera for our exclusive gallery!
