Edgar pleased with progress

Anthony Edgar was all smiles after shooting West Ham United's Under-18s to victory over Fulham on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old was in exhilarating form against the Cottagers, winning and converting a 39th minute penalty to set West Ham United on the road to an FA Premier Academy League Group A success at Little Heath.

Aside from his goal, Edgar was heavily involved all over the pitch, showing his full-range of passing, dribbling and tackling skills on a cold and blustery afternoon at the Academy headquarters.

The Hammers' victory was completed by Cristian Montano, who headed past Fulham goalkeeper Wesley Foderingham midway through the second half to wrap up victory for Tony Carr's team.

"It was a very good game," said Edgar. "They came at us quite a lot but I think our passing was good and we scored some good goals. I played in the hole so that gave me licence to go anywhere on the pitch, but obviously when you don't have the ball you have to defend which we did quite well, so it was a good team performance.

"I'm the penalty-taker for the Under-18s. When I walk back I decide where I'm going to put the ball and I go there. I never change my mind. The 'keeper got a hand to it but he wasn't going to save it."

West Ham's Under-18s end their season with a trip to Group B leaders Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, a game Edgar is confident of winning.

"We've got one more game to at Spurs. They need a win to win their league so they'll be looking to beat us but I think we'll turn them over, definitely. It's always important to beat the other London clubs."

Edgar has made impressive strides this season, scoring nine times for the youth team and once for the reserves in the 3-1 Barclays Premier Reserve League South defeat to Spurs at Bishop's Stortford in late February. The player himself has been delighted with his own progress.

"It's been a great year for me. I've scored goals for the youth team and got into the reserve team and scored for them too, so it's been brilliant."

At the end of May, reserve team manager Alex Dyer will lead a squad of young players at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament. Edgar was part of the squad that travelled to the Far East a year ago and is eager to be involved again this time around.

"It's a really good trip. I went last year and it's nice weather and the place we stayed in was nice. It was brilliant and I'd love to go again. It's a good experience. The other teams are a bit older than us so it's a great experience."