West Ham United U18s v Tottenham Hotspur U18s
U18 Premier League South, Little Heath, Saturday 18 October 2024, 11am BST
West Ham United U18s return to action following the international break by hosting rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Little Heath.
It has been three weeks since our Under-18s last took to the pitch, in a narrow defeat to Chelsea, but the team back in action for their first match in October with an Under-18 Premier League fixture on Saturday and are seeking our first win of the season.
Despite the Hammers being unbeaten in their last three fixtures on the road, having drawn all three, they have lost each of their last two home games, each by a margin of a single goal. Lauris Coggin’s young Hammers will be eager to secure that elusive first three-point haul of the season that their performances have merited.
How To Follow…
After the final whistle, read a full match report on whufc.com, along with exclusive interviews featuring one of our rising stars, plus highlights of all the action.
Opposition…
Tottenham have started the season in fine form with three wins and two draws, which sees them third in U18 Premier League South.
In their six games, they’ve scored 17 goals but conceded twelve. Their opening two games have seen them put on emphatic showings with a 6-4 victory over Crystal Palace in a ten-goal thriller before a 5-1 win away at Fulham.
The sides last in May, with Spurs coming out as 3-2 winners, and the Irons will be looking for revenge on Saturday morning.
Ones to watch...
Two young Hammers were away on international duty over the past fortnight, with both enjoying success - including Airidas Golambeckis, who made his England debut for the U18s last month.
U18s captain Preston Fearon, who signed his first professional deal at the Academy of Football's Chadwell Heath Training Ground earlier this month, has been a crucial presence in midfield for Coggin’s side this season.
The Story So Far…
Several unfortunate injuries and commitments from last year’s standout performers with the U21s have meant a bit of a reshuffle coming into the 2024/25 season.
In truth, the U18s have not been rewarded with the results their performances have deserved in recent games. After the narrow 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, lead coach Coggin said that his side are “going to beat someone with a heavy scoreline sooner rather than later with our performances," and he will be targeting all three points on Saturday.
Numerous U16s players have been provided the opportunity to play up the age groups and have taken the step up in their stride. Despite being unbeaten away from home, they only have three points to show for their efforts.
With international break behind them, Coggin’s young Hammers will be eager to register their first victory of 2024/25 at the sixth attempt.