WHAT HAPPENED
Our under-18s suffered a heavy 5-1 loss at home to West Ham on Saturday morning.
The scoring was opened after 28 minutes when Jayden Fevrier found Sebastian Nebyla, who finished smartly after a neat touch to take the ball away from Zane Monlouis.
However, we drew level just before half-time when Zahyon Edwards was fouled, leading to a penalty. Alfie Matthews assumed responsibility for the spot-kick and duly powered past the goalkeeper, who was unable to save despite going the right way.
A series of defensive errors then led to a West Ham penalty, with Monlouis being adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
Hubert Graczyk made the save to deny Ademipo Odubeko, but the Hammers went in front shortly after when Kamarai Simon-Swyer flicked in from a corner.
Odubeko then made amends for his missed penalty, capitalising on a combination of defensive errors before finishing past Graczyk.
It was the same man on the scoresheet again soon after, with Odubeko charging from deep before firing into the net.
Graczyk then produced an impressive double save to prevent the visitors from extending their lead further.
West Ham did eventually find a fifth goal, although there was a slice of luck involved as the ball deflected in off of Monlouis.
WHAT IT MEANS
WHAT'S NEXT
Ken Gillard's side will face Brighton at Meadow Park on Thursday evening in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.
Kick-off is at 7pm.
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