Town’s U18s produced a battling performance to beat West Ham 1-0 at Playford Road on Saturday morning with returning striker Caolan Lavery securing all three points for Russell Osman’s youngsters with an early goal.
Town took the lead with the first real attack of the game after just three minutes. Northern Ireland U19 international Cormac Burke’s corner from the right was powerfully headed home by an unmarked Lavery, who was making his first start after three months out with a knee ligament injury, having been a late sub at Chelsea last week.
Soon after, a long goal kick from US U20 international keeper Cody Cropper sailed over the visitors’ defence and Joe Whight, playing on the left side of midfield, pulled his shot wide of the post.
The Hammers started to come more into the game and dangerous wide man Robert Hall, who was a constant threat, crossed for Elliott Lee who saw his shot across goal fly just wide.
In a half where a number of strong tackles were made by both sides, Callum Bennett linked up well with Lavery but keeper David Wootton prevented the right-back from increasing Town’s lead with a good save.
Shortly before the interval, Burke rattled Wootton’s crossbar from a tight angle when he cut in from the left and curled an effort against the frame of the goal.
Northern Irish U21 international Lavery was withdrawn at the interval, with Carel Tiofack, a Republic of Ireland U17 cap, coming on to play wide right and Tommy Winter moving up front.
The second half was a tight affair with the visitors enjoying most of the possession but failing to create any real opportunities.
Their best chance came with 10 minutes remaining when Cropper mis-kicked and Paul McCallum looped his effort just wide of the unguarded net.
Town managed to hold on for the win with the return of Lavery showing that the young Blues have certainly missed an out-and-out striker during the Canadian-born front man’s absence.
Cormac Burke was dangerous throughout and often troubled the Hammers defence, whilst the centre-back pairing of Josh Meekings and Jidé Maduako won almost everything in the air and got in some vital blocks.
Meanwhile, Town’s U16s continued their fine run of form with a 3-0 victory over their West Ham counterparts.
U18s: Cropper, Bennett, McKeown, Jones, Meekings, Maduako, Winter (Marriott 68), Acott (Scotcher 53), Lavery (Tiofack 46), Burke, Whight. Unused: O’Donnell, October.
Report: James Ager