West Ham United U18s 2-0 Arsenal U18s
U18 Premier League South, Rush Green Stadium, Saturday 15 April
West Ham United U18s secured the U18 Premier League South division title with a battling 2-0 victory against Arsenal U18s.
A close-fought contest saw Mason Terry called into action on numerous occasions to deny the Gunners the lead at Rush Green Stadium before substitute Divine Mukasa opened the scoring on 68 minutes, netting his first goal at U18s level with a smart finish.
Captain Gideon Kodua doubled the lead on 80 minutes after good interplay with Marshall and Patrick Kelly, securing the win over an Arsenal side coached by former Hammers midfielder Jack Wilshere.
The impressive win, against the same side that the U18s will meet in the FA Youth Cup final in just under two weeks, secures West Ham’s status as U18 Premier League South division champions.
“I’m really, really proud of the players,” U18s lead coach Kevin Keen said. “From day one in pre-season, they have been on it. They have a fantastic attitude, great work-ethic and togetherness, and then you add in that there are two or three good players too, and it’s a good mixture.
“I spoke after the FA Youth Cup semi-final game too about the staff and, again, they work tirelessly to make sure the players are as good as they can be.
“The game was a little bit edgy today but we got there. Arsenal are always a tough prospect and it was a proper game. I’m really pleased we got it over the line.”
It was almost the perfect start at Rush Green Stadium when Lewis Orford received the ball inside the area just a minute in, only to send his strike wide from ten yards.
Callum Marshall saw a low effort tipped away by Noah Cooper not long after, before Arsenal twice tested the West Ham goal. Seb Ferdinand’s fizzing ball had to be tipped away by Mason Terry before Osman Kamara bent a strike wide.
Gideon Kodua next latched onto George Earthy’s well-placed pass, only for his shot to be deflected way by Josh Nicols. The Irons captain looked to then turn provider, playing a terrific cross which Marshall could only send wide amid pressure from goalkeeper Cooper.
Ollie Scarles tried his luck from distance at the conclusion of a good passing move from the hosts, instigated by Josh Briggs’ excellent cross-field pass, but the strike was again tipped away by Cooper in a half just lacking the final touch or ball from the Irons.
Arsenal went close to taking the lead in the opening exchanges of the second half, only to be denied by two incredible saves by Mason Terry.
The U18s shot-stopper first pulled out a save-of-the-season contender to deny Jimi Gower’s close-range header on 48 minutes before then denying the Arsenal midfielder again, this time from a free-kick, just seven minutes later.
An attacking switch saw Mukasa introduced for Favour Fawunmi and, just minutes later, the 16-year-old popped up with his first goal at U18s level. Mukasa won the ball high up the pitch, stepped into the area and took the option to shoot at the near post. A slight deflection took the ball past Cooper and into the net.
Terry was again called upon as Arsenal hunted for an equaliser, turning away Kamara’s one-on-one effort, before Kodua blasted over from eight yards – an effort the forward will know he should have tucked away.
The skipper made no mistake moments later though, tapping in from Patrick Kelly’s excellent work to score his 14th goal of the season and double the lead.
A comfortable cushion for the U18s was held onto and victory secured, earning the young Hammers a deserved league title.
Lead coach Keen pointed to Terry’s superb save on 48 minutes and Mukasa’s fine finish not long after coming on as crucial moments in Saturday’s fixture.
“We’re obviously celebrating in the dressing room but my one point in the debrief of the game was Mason Terry’s save early in the second half. Without a shadow of the doubt, it’s the save of the season. It was 0-0 at the time and that can make the game completely different, and he’s been doing that all season for us. He’s a great lad and a hard worker.
“We were discussing which substitute to put on and I’m going to pat myself on the back and take a little credit in bringing on Divine. He’s a wonderful player with a fantastic future ahead of him and it was great to see him get that goal.”
In Arsenal, West Ham faced the same side who they will meet in the FA Youth Cup final on Tuesday 25 April, but Keen does not believe the league fixture offers any insight into how the match at the Emirates Stadium will play out.
“I don’t think this game gives any indication whatsoever,” Keen continued. “If anything, they’ve probably learned more about us and our team. I don’t think today has any reflection on the FA Youth Cup final.
“It’s going to be a different game at the Emirates Stadium and there is hope that there are going to be 20,000 spectators there. For our lads, that would be absolutely amazing and, whatever happens, we’re going to go and try and enjoy it and play our football the way we do; in the proud West Ham way.”
Success in U18 Premier League South is a particularly proud moment for Keen, with his first as a coach now secured.
For the Academy of Football graduate, the plaudits should be aimed completely at the players who have secured the title.
“I said to the group afterwards that I’m not a particularly emotional person,” Keen added. “I’ve worked in football a long time, but I’ve not won that many things. I won the league with the youth team here at West Ham in the 1983/84 season, and we won the reserve league and I won a trophy at Liverpool. Apart from that, winning this league is probably my fourth trophy in football.
“I’m so, so proud. It’s for other people to look at you and the job you have done but, for me, I’m just so proud of the players and what they’ve done. They’ve worked so hard and tirelessly to be the best that they can be, which is all I can ask for. It’s so pleasing and that’s why being the U18s coach of a fantastic Club like ours is the best job in the country.”
West Ham United U18s: Terry, Battrum, Briggs, Tarima, Scarles, Orford, Kelly, Earthy (Rigge 88), Fawunmi (Mukasa 56), Kodua ©, Marshall
Subs not used: Jones, Awesu, Adiele,
Goals: Mukasa 68, Kodua 80
Arsenal U18s: Cooper, Robinson, Nicols (Small 75), Kacurri, Brown ©, Oulad M’hand, Ferdinand (Kabia 70), Gower (Green 83), Benjamin, Roberts, Kamara
Subs not used: Rojas
Referee: Lawrence Torz-Brown
