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Youth Reporter 9:14 Sat Jan 28
WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

West Ham United U18 1 - 0 Arsenal U18

Match Report by Youth Reporter

A freezing cold morning at Little Heath home of the famous West Ham Academy saw the impressive Hammers steal all 3 points in a hard fought match.


The first half West Ham lined up in a 442 with Pelly Ruddock and Elliott Lee as strike partners. The centre midfeild pairing were the impressive Lemar Hurley and Jack Powell with Matthias Famino and captain Blair Turgott either side. The half was really dominated by both defences though and back four of Jake Young, Leo Chambers, Kenzer Lee and Frasier Shaw backed up by David Wotton in for the injured Jake Larkins in goal gave us a strong foundations to build on.

There were very few chances created in the first 45 minutes and although the team worked very hard no much was coming off. In fact just a chance for each team were the only real talking points. With less than 10 mins gone with the ball bouncing around in the Arsenal penalty area Ruddock tried to loft a ball through to Elliott Lee which was cut out by what the West Ham boys claimed was an Arsenal arm. The referree waved play on only to be called back by the linesman who must have had a worse view than the ref, but the penalty was awarded.

The in form Elliott Lee stepped up and hit a good penalty shot low to the keepers right only to see it blocked by the young stopper. No blame could be put on Lee it was just a quality save.

15 mins later saw the move of the half for Arsenal when one of the very few times they created a goal scoring opportunity an inch perfect pass saw a first time shot by their striker making Wotton pull off a full stretch save to keep the scores even.

The half was disappointing with both teams cancelling each other out and good defending and some sloppy passing from both teams meant 0-0 was about fair.

The second half was totally different. For the first 15 mins Arsenal looked the better team and were putting the hammers under pressure. The pressure was dealt with though and soon Shaw broke forward from left back and released a lovely lay off to Famino who put a great first time cross that missed strikers and defenders in the 6 yard box but saw Jack Powell side foot into the net at the back post. A well deserved goal for the midfeilder who look brilliant all game.

From that moment on confidence seemed to lift the boys in claret and blue and they dominated the rest of the half with some excellent possession and slick passing. Dominic Vose came on for Famino and really helped control the game. He never wastes the ball and proved to be a very clever substitution by Haycock. Sadlier on for the very hard working Hurley also had a similar effect.

Apart from a disallowed goal for offside and an air shot in the 6 yard box Arsenal did very little for the remainder of the game and the Academy boys held of for a great win.


Wotton - 8. Did very little wrong and a lot right with an excellent save in first half and was quick off his line a few times to smother Arsenal attacks.

Young - 8. I like Jake Young a lot, good and strong both on the floor and in the air, in defence and going forward.

Chambers - 8. Last time I saw him was against Brighton where he was probably our worst player but he was back to his best today. A yellow card but was strong and read the game really well.

Kenzer Lee - 7. Lee and Chambers are a really strong pairing in central defence and a clean sheet against a good Arsenal side shows that.

Shaw - 8. Similar to Young, Shaw is confident in all parts of the game. His run to set up the cross for Famino was really good.

Turgott - 7. Good to see Blair given the captaincy and he worked really really hard. Was often a 3rd attacker but was also tracking back to his own area. I still think he looks better in the centre and seems a bit wasted on the wing but with so many good central midfielders it is difficult.

Powell - 9 Man of Match. Jack is quality, he is really good to watch. Great tackler, brilliant passer and just seems to do everything right and makes it look easy. Pleased to see him get the winner too.

Hurley - 8. The perfect partner to Powell, tough tackler and hard worker. Plays a similar role to Taylor Miles if anyone saw the Brighton Cup match. Plays things simple and the sort of player that goes unnoticed but is really valuable to a team.

Famino - 6. Good ball for the goal and a couple of good runs in second half but just not in the game enough, especially first half.

Ruddock - 6. Disappointed with Pelly, winning the penalty aside he did very little.

Elliott Lee - 6. One of Lee's quieter games, still worked hard and tried all game but was dealt with well by the strong Arsenal defence.


Subs: Vose - 8. Didn't put a foot wrong and took control of the game when we needed it. From the moment he came on we looked better and stronger. Sadlier - 7. Not on for too long but helped soak up the pressure.


Not the greatest game, but still saw good football played and was good to see the fight the team showed. Our solid defence and awesome midfield won the game for us.

Youth Reporter

fordstar 10:51 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Plaistow Exile 10:23 Sun Jan 29


He`s a good lad and very mature for his age. Long may his form continue.

Plaistow Exile 10:23 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

It was also Jack's 18th Birthday apparently, my niece is good friends with him.

Sir Alf 9:13 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

The boy Powell seems to be getting better and better or consistently puts in fine performances.

It seems he is the one that has emerged "under the radar"? I watched him in the Brighton game on the WHUTV and have seen him in a lot of the highlights. Great passing and technique. Hope he can carry it to the next level which will mean Ressies and then first team.

Nice report.

Vinny 8:40 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Another excellent report.

fordstar 7:25 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Thanks YR. Good to see the U18 carry on their excellent form.

Mr Polite 2:17 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Davey

I can see how YR came to his ratings. It was certainly a good defensive display and Jack Powell was excellent.

I'd possibly put all defenders and keeper on 7's but a clean sheet against Arsenal can understand why he gave 8's.

It certainly is refreshing coming away talking about how good things are instead of grumbling.

daveyg 12:59 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Thanks for the report Youth.
Wish I lived nearer as I would go and see the youths as often as I could.
Mr P what would your ratings be.Be good to see another perspective.don't know if youth was a bit generous?

Alan 11:08 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Good report, YR. Thanks.

sparkie 9:44 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Another good read, thanks YR.

Nice to see like the last few first team games a canning town boy scoring winner......

Monk~koknee 9:16 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Then I would suggest 'sneaked all 3 points'. Mind you my point was only being made light-heartedly. It was a good and welcome report.

Steal says to me taking something you shouldn't have or didn't deserve.

Mr Polite 9:10 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Of course 'Steal'could just mean it was an evenly matched game and a draw wouldn't have been an unfair result.

Monk~koknee 9:03 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Thanks for the report. Obviously, I did not see the match but would like to take issue on one point viz the statement: "saw the impressive Hammers steal all 3 points".

This appears to reflect the mainstream media stance that when one of the top teams loses it is due to some underhand, felonious or lucky set of circumstances rather than as a result of being the better team. You have been trained well Obi Wan Youth Reporter.

Enjoyed it all the same. Keep it up.

LeroysBoots 8:50 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Cheers for the report, Powell does indeed look a really classy player

Mr Polite 8:36 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Ironwatch,

He certainly has a chance from what I've seen of him. He has the look of Kieran Dyer about him, I mean that in a complimentary way not in a call an ambulance way.

The thing that strikes me is that we have strong competition for a number of places and this seems to being having a good effect on the players.

Obviously there is a big jump from youths to first team - as in the level of opposition, but I think a number in the current squad could make it. Although Sam is very good at taking an interest in them and has brought some into the first team, I just hope we get a manager soon who plays the same way as the youths, that way they'll find the transition a lot easier and have a better chance of impressing.

Son of Sam 6:46 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Thanks for this, good work keep it up

ironwatch 6:31 Sun Jan 29
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

I think Vosa will make it all the way to the first team

Xnulian Rrudho 11:00 Sat Jan 28
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

gph 10:56 Sat Jan 28

It's a little-known fact (i.e. a Freemason's kind of agreement for only the best of the best, until now) that Neil runs an elite football academy in his back garden.

Who wouldn't want their talented kids to be exposed to the expertise, charisma and panache of the great man?

gph 10:56 Sat Jan 28
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Adopted, just so Razor can pay us what he owes us...

Mr Polite 10:55 Sat Jan 28
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Geep,

I don't think so. Pelly is a slim, fast..... Oh and black!

gph 10:53 Sat Jan 28
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Is RUDDOCK the son of Razor?

If so, then maybe signing Razor will finally pay off...

Hammerhermit 10:49 Sat Jan 28
Re: WHU U18 v Arsenal U18 - Match Report

Many thanks guys always nice to get a win over a top youth side.

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