Heroic Awesu and Ebho's first goal earn U18s draw at Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur U18s 1-1 West Ham United U18s
U18 Premier League South, Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground, Saturday 29 March 2025, 11am GMT
West Ham United U18s earned a share of the spoils away to Tottenham Hotspur U18s thanks to U16s wing-back Riley Ebho’s first goal at U18s level and a superb goalkeeping performance from Lanre Awesu.
Tottenham started brightly and nearly took the lead just two minutes in when Aaron Kamara’s under hit pass back to Awesu allowed the hosts a two-on-one opportunity. Jethro Medine’s pressure forced Tottenham’s Dexter Oliver to square the ball to Ellis Lehane, but Awesu reacted superbly, diving low to make a crucial save and keep the scores level.
Just a minute later, the Spurs forward missed another big chance to open the scoring, steering a cross wide of the target.
Awesu’s distribution almost turned provider on seven minutes, as an excellent long ball set Andre Dike through on goal, but the Spurs defence reacted well to prevent him from getting a shot away.
West Ham began to grow into the contest, and could have taken the lead on 18 minutes. On the edge of the area, Elisha Sowunmi saw the run of Joe Scanlon, who arrived late into the box from the left. The U16s full-back delayed his shot but was denied his first U18s goal by Tottenham goalkeeper Sam Archer, who smothered the effort.
Tottenham eventually broke the deadlock on 37 minutes. Malachi Hardy, who had been a constant threat throughout the first half with his long balls, played a perfectly weighted pass in behind for Ronny Moncur. The forward squared it across the box for Ellis Lehane to tap home at the back post, handing Spurs the lead.
In the opening exchanges of the second half, the home side could have quickly doubled their advantage when Miracle Adewole delivered a dangerous low ball across the face of goal, but Kamara’s timely intervention prevented Lehane from grabbing his second. Despite Tottenham’s quick start, the young Hammers found a way back into the game.
After winning possession high up the pitch, Josh Landers worked the ball through Sowunmi and Riley Hargan. Hargan’s initial shot was blocked in a crowded area, but he slid it across to Riley Ebho, who feigned a shot to create space before finishing smartly to level the scoring, his first goal for the U18s.
With momentum firmly in their favour, West Ham continued to press Spurs back, dictating the tempo and keeping them pinned in their own half.
However, Tottenham almost regained the lead against the run of play in the 72nd minute. Substitute Reiss Elliot-Parris held the ball up, drawing the attention of two defenders, before threading a perfect pass to Oliver. One-on-one with Awesu, Oliver looked destined to score, but the West Ham goalkeeper produced an outstanding save with his legs to deny him. Moments later, Awesu was called into action again, thwarting Elliot-Parris in another one-on-one situation to keep his side on level terms.
Spurs were then handed a golden opportunity to seal the three points when George Feeney won a penalty after drawing a foul from Hargan. Substitute Tye Hall stepped up but could only watch as his effort crashed against the crossbar.
The closing stages were end-to-end, with both sides pushing for a winner, but defences stood firm, and the final whistle confirmed a point apiece.
West Ham United U18s: Awesu, Ebho (Chigwada 82), Scanlon (Beckford 63), Medine, Oyebade ©, Kamara, Unwin (Onyeka-Fejokwu 87), Hargan, Landers, Sowunmi, Dike (Balogun 82)
Sub not used: Hooper (GK)
Goal: Ebho 49
Booked: Unwin, Oyebade
Tottenham Hotspur U18s: Archer ©, Hardy, Byrne, Byfield, Upson, Moncur (Batty 79), Adewole, Bangura (Feeney 54), Lehane (Elliot-Parris 71), Oliver, Thompson (Hall 79)
Sub not used: Irow (GK)
Goal: Lehane 37
Booked: Feeney
Coggin: We’re starting to see more characters emerging from the group
Returning from international duty where he helped England U17s secure their spot at the U17 European championships, goalkeeper Lanre Awesu showed exactly why he is so highly thought of in the Young Lions set up, making three incredible saves to make sure the U18s didn’t leave Tottenham empty handed.
“To see Lanre [Awesu] represent his country, alongside Chinaza [Nwosu], was fantastic,” Coggin reflected. “The number of players we've had called up to international squads in recent seasons is a real testament to the work being done here at the Academy. Lanre’s come back and put in another outstanding performance today, which has earned us a deserved point. It’s a brilliant day for everyone.”
Facing the highest scoring team in the division in Tottenham Hotspur, Coggin’s side held Spurs to just one goal thanks to a solid collective performance from the back line and an outstanding game from Awesu between the sticks.
“We knew Tottenham would offer a strong attacking threat, and we spoke before the game about needing to suffer in certain moments We did that as a collective today. It’s so important for this group to go through those moments together and earn a point that reflects their hard work. On the flip side, we created big moments for ourselves. It’s where we can be a little bit critical, those key moments in the final pass or final action.”
Coggin was also pleased with the maturity shown by his youthful squad, which featured three U16s and seven first-year scholars, including players operating in unfamiliar roles.
“Managing momentum is something we've spoken about a lot, especially with the young group we’ve got and players playing out of position," he said. "Aaron Kamara, for example, was outstanding at centre-half today. We’re starting to see more characters emerging from the group, players taking more responsibility which is exactly what we’re after. Managing those moments has been crucial for us.”
Continuing his impressive form, U16s wing-back Riley Ebho netted his first goal for the U18s having registered assists in each of his last two games.
“I think it’s been a long time coming for Riley,” he smiled. “Maybe he could’ve had one more today! But the way he approached the game, his athleticism, his ability in one-on-one situations, and his improvements defensively, was fantastic.”
Awesu: I have to stay reliable in those situations
Awesu’s heroics between the sticks proved the difference between a loss and a draw with the young goalkeeper making sure Spurs didn’t take the lead in the first few minutes and denying two clear goalscoring opportunities in the closing stages with the score at 1-1.
“I’ve always got to back myself in those one-on-ones,” he said. “I have to stay reliable in those situations, use my frame, make myself look as big as possible, wait for the striker to make contact with the ball, and then react to it. I always want to be the best, so I’ve got to believe in myself.”
The first-year scholar singled out his favourite save from the afternoon, a crucial block with his legs in a one-on-one situation that denied Dexter Oliver.
“My favourite out of the three one-on-ones was probably the one I saved with my legs. I stood there, made myself look big, and he couldn’t find the target.”
