YOUTH team captain Chris Cohen couldn't hide his
disappointment, as the Hammers went out of the FA Youth Cup, losing
4-1 to Southampton at Upton Park.
The Quarter-Final defeat was especially painful for 17-year-old
Chris, who will be too old to be involved in the competition next
season.
"It was a massive disappointment," confessed Chris after
the game, "and we're all absolutely devastated by the
result.
"It is especially hard for those boys, like myself, that
won't be involved in the FA Youth Cup again, because we really
did want to go all the way this year. Being captain I wanted to do
extra well for the team, but it just wasn't to be.
"Not just for ourselves, but mainly for the coaches and staff,
who have put so much effort in to help us and other young players
over the years.
"People like Tony Carr, Kevin Keen, Paul Heffer, Colin Reed
and Jimmy Frith. It would have been great if we could have won it
for them because they have literally brought us up.
"Unfortunately, we came up against a really quality team in
Southampton, and just like last season, we've gone out in the
Quarter-Finals."
Reflecting on the game, Chris admitted that the Saints - regarded
as one of the best Youth outfits in the country - were just too
strong on the night.
"They played well and we were beaten by a very good
team," he admitted. "They played on percentages and were
very good when they had to be.
"We battled back really well after half-time and got a great
equaliser through Ollie Allen. We would have liked to push on
better from that first goal, but being honest, they were stronger
than us and it showed.
"Mark Noble was a massive loss and I'm sure he would have
made a difference and Ishmael Welsh could have given us an extra
dimension, but you can't take anything away from the players
because they put in a massive effort.
"Southampton just came on really strong after they scored
their second, and we weren't as good as we should have been in
the last 20 minutes.
"Even so, I don't think it was a game that should have
ended 4-1. That scoreline didn't do us justice, it was closer
than that, but their strength really told towards the end of the
game as we pushed to try and get back in it we got exposed.
"I feel especially for Tony Carr because he's been
brilliant in getting us this far for the last few years, but we
just haven't had enough for that final push."
But for Chris and some of his team-mates there was good news after
the disappointment, as it was confirmed that six Hammers had been
called up for England youth duty, the others being Mark Noble
(England Under-19s), Moses Ashikodi and Kyel Reid (England
Under-18s), Hogan Ephraim (England Under-17s) and James Tomkins
(England Under-16s).
"Obviously it's great for the Club that six of us are
involved," said Chris, "and encouraging for all those
players. We have to keep working at it now and get on with things,
and hope that next season the younger lads will be able to have
another crack at it.
"Of course, the main thing for the Youth Academy is to see
boys progressing through to the first-team and now hopefully as
many of the lads as possible can push through and make the step
up."
Cohen's Cup Agony
9th March 2005