In reaching the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup final, West Ham United U18s have claimed a spot in the last four of the competition for the first time since 1999.
Five different, hard-fought fixtures have brought the Irons through the stages of the 2022/23 tournament…
Sheffield United U18s 1-3 West Ham United U18s
FA Youth Cup third round, Alfreton Town FC, Wednesday 21 December 2022
A potential early tournament banana skin awaited West Ham in U18 Professional Development League side Sheffield United, who sat second in the division at the end of 2022.
Despite putting on a dominant showing in the first half, the closest the Hammers came to opening the scoring was via Gideon Kodua's flicked effort, which ricocheted off the woodwork.
The introduction of Callum Marshall at half-time led to the opening goal on 56 minutes, when the Northern Ireland youngster rocketed a superb strike from 25 yards into the net.
Divin Mubama grabbed a second with a sliding effort following good work from Kodua and George Earthy, before adding a third for the Irons with a clever header
Sheffield United hit back late on through Sam Aston's free-kick, but the Irons held on to progress to the fourth round.
Burnley U18s 0-1 West Ham United U18s
FA Youth Cup fourth round, The County Ground, Tuesday 24 January 2023
Like Sheffield United, Burnley play in the U18 Professional Development League, and West Ham needed a battling performance, full of tenacity and heart, to squeeze past the Clarets.
George Earthy's first-time finish on 89 minutes proved to be the difference in a competitive outing at The County Ground, although the fine form of Burnley goalkeeper Charlie Casper denied the Irons an earlier opener.
Gideon Kodua, Callum Marshall and even Earthy himself saw the Clarets shot-stopper turn away their efforts, all of which seemed set to find the net, while Mason Terry had to be on hand to deny the hosts from one of their numerous, dangerous set-pieces.
Scenes of jubilant relief at the final whistle told the story of a hard-fought performance, which led to another away tie in Stoke City.
Stoke City U18s 1-4 West Ham United U18s
FA Youth Cup fifth round, bet365 Stadium, Friday 3 February 2023
A flurry of finishes secured a brilliant win away to Stoke City for Kevin Keen’s side, putting them into the sixth round for the first time in 18 years.
The round of 16 clash burst into life when Lewis Orford gave the visitors the lead on 22 minutes, brilliantly netting on the swivel from Asher Falase's lofted ball into the penalty area.
Divin Mubama put the Irons in control before half-time, continuing his own, superb goalscoring run with a cool header from Orford's precise cross.
The striker could have added a third for the Hammers before the interval but would find the net again on 49 minutes with a powerful effort into the top corner.
Mubama would turn provider for George Earthy not long after, permitting the midfielder to skip over a challenge inside the box before calmly passing the ball in for West Ham's fourth on 55 minutes.
Stoke City provided a timely reminder that the game was not finished as a contest minutes after, as Nathan Lowe headed in from a free-kick.
Victory against the Potters put the Hammers into the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2004/05 season.
Ipswich Town U18s 2-4 West Ham United U18s (AET)
FA Youth Cup quarter-final, Portman Road, Wednesday 22 February 2023
An intense, highly entertaining and pulsating quarter-final fixture against Ipswich Town U18s saw the Irons finally claim their place in the semi-finals.
The Tractor Boys took the early lead in the last eight clash at Portman Road thanks to Finley Barbrook's headed effort, but the home side were reduced to ten men not long after when Calum Logan was shown a straight red card for a foul on George Earthy.
Gideon Kodua levelled the tie before the interval, heading in after Woody Williamson tipped Callum Marshall's effort in the captain's direction.
Despite being a man down, Ipswich continued to cause West Ham problems and grabbed the advantage in the second half. Nico Valentine cut inside onto his favoured right-foot and slammed home a powerful strike.
The Irons were level again just moments later, as Marshall and Earthy smartly connected around the penalty area, allowing the Irish youngster to slide in for West Ham's second.
Extra time was required in the last eight outing and, with just four minutes left of the second period of extra time, Marshall's low cross was picked up by substitute Ryan Battrum. The 17-year-old kept his composure to sweep in on his left foot, netting his first goal of the season to give the Irons the 3-2 lead.
A hefty chunk of added time ensured a nervy end to the match, but Divin Mubama wrapped up the win late on with a smart finish of his own, sending the Hammers into the last four.
West Ham United U18s 6-1 Southampton U18s
FA Youth Cup semi-final, London Stadium, Thursday 6 April 2023
Kevin Keen admitted after the semi-final that he had been interested to see how his players dealt with the added spotlight and pressure that came with a last four match at London Stadium.
By his own confession, he need not have worried.
Played in front of 7,000 incredible supporters in east London, the young Hammers emphatically secured their spot in the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup final thanks to an sensational 6-1 victory against Southampton.
Divin Mubama scored a hat-trick while captain Gideon Kodua, Callum Marshall and substitute Favour Fawunmi also netted in a stunning showing for the young Irons, against a Saints side who hit back through Dominic Ballard when the Irons led by two.
