Mason Terry knows chances like the one West Ham United U18s have in front of them do not come along very often.
The 18-year-old has been of the groups’ consistent figures this season, proving integral on a run that has seen the youngsters go 13 points clear at the top of the U18 Premier League South table.
Twelve wins from 12 games played had Kevin Keen’s side in dreamland but number 13 proved as unlucky as ever, with the team falling to a first league defeat on Saturday against Southampton.
Terry was not involved on the south coast, instead watching on from the bench as his teammates succumbed to only a second loss in all competitions this campaign, but the shot-stopper is already looking forward.
Friday’s big game, a massive opportunity, is creeping ever closer.
“Sunday was disappointing for the squad but it’s important that we put it behind us now and focus on the next game,” Terry told whufc.com. “We’ve had a great run in the league and it’s unfortunate we had that loss, but we don’t want to dwell on it.
“We have to get our minds focused on the next game, against Stoke City on Friday.”
A place in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup awaits the winners at the bet365 Stadium. For West Ham, that will mean a first chance in the last eight since the 2004/2005 season, before many of the players in the U18s were even born.
Terry was just a few months old when that U18s team were eliminated by a star-studded Southampton side, and the shot-stopper is eager to make the most of the opportunity that the team find in front of them.
“Stoke are a good team. It’s going to be a very tough game and we need to make sure we’re on it from the first whistle. They beat Manchester United in the last round so we can see they’re a good team.
“They’re going to be really up for it again, at home, and we know teams want to do well against us. We have a chance to get to the quarter-finals though and we want to take that opportunity.”
Terry has established himself as the U18s first-choice goalkeeper this campaign but it is a responsibility the youngster does not take for granted. As seen on Saturday, Finn Herrick is ready to stake his own claim to the spot.
Terry is relishing the competition from his friend though. In the U18s’ quest for success and silverware, every single member of the squad will be vital.
“Finn and I have a great relationship,” he continued. “We get on and we work well together in training. We have a top relationship on and off the pitch. We’re good mates and we support each other, which is the main thing.
“I’ve been starting more often than not but he started against Southampton, and I know I have to be performing at my best because he’s right there, over my shoulder, ready to take the role if he gets that chance. I know he’s ready to do that and stake his claim, so I need to be playing at my best.
“All the boys have made a contribution this season. It’s not just the starting XI, it comes down to the whole squad and everyone has had a role to play. When the coaches have put in different players, or lads have been called up to the U21s, we’ve had players ready to go and do the job. It’s a good group and, overall, I think we can be happy with where we’re at.”
Terry has played 15 times in all competitions this season for the U18s, with ten appearances in the league, three in the Premier League Cup and two in the FA Youth Cup.
His fine form also earned the goalkeeper his first appearance at U21s level, coming on as a substitute in the development team’s Premier League International Cup win over Feyenoord in November.
More than ever, there has been a fluidity between Mark Robson’s U21s and Keen’s U18s. Players have moved between the two squads frequently, and Terry is enjoying every chance he gets to impress.
“Getting into the U21s is hard but it’s also in touching distance,” Terry said. “We see players move between the two groups and it’s always a great experience being up with the U21s.
“It’s a different set of boys, some older lads, and some of them have been out on loan so it’s good to catch up with them all. It’s a step up in the development team so any time you get the opportunity to go over, you have to take your game up and be on it for the whole session. The standard over there is very high.”
For now, though, Terry is focused on the best possible 2022/23 season with the U18s.
Thirteen points clear at the top of the division, the young Irons have every chance of silverware, but Terry knows the group needs to keep their standards high and not let anything drop.
Continuing the run in the FA Youth Cup would only add to what has been an enjoyable campaign so far.
He added: “We have a great buzz around the group and, if we can keep performing well, I have no doubt there will be big achievements for us come the end of the season.
“We need to keep our standards high, keep putting in the work on the training pitch, and hopefully we’ll see the rewards for that when we reach the end of the road.”
