West Ham United U18s 2-1 Ipswich Town U18s
Kieran Sadlier scored both goals as a new-look Under-18 side recorded a fine home victory on Saturday.
The Hammers' 2-1 win at home to Ipswich Town was achieved despite the absence of a number of regulars. It moved them on to eight matches unbeaten and extended their dominance at the top of the FA Premier Academy League.
The likes of Jake Larkins, Frazer Shaw, Danny Potts, Kenzer Lee, Jake Young and Blair Turgott were all missing from the starting lineup, having played in the development squad's 2-0 win at MK Dons on Friday. Although they had to change things around and blood some U16s, it was a performance that delighted coach Nick Haycock and Academy director Tony Carr.
After a bright opening at Little Heath, the deadlock was broken when Elliot Lee flicked on a long clearance and the prolific Sadlier found himself through on goal. The Irish youth international showed great poise to lift the ball over the keeper and start the scoring.
Ipswich battled back and were able to level the score midway through the half, and both sides had good opportunities to take the lead before half-time with efforts that hit the woodwork. More goals always looked likely, and it was Sadlier who decided the contest with a terrific 25-yard free-kick in the second half.
There was still around 20 minutes to play and the visitors kept the pressure on the home side. The young Hammers stood firm for their sixth win of the season, with the team having recorded two successive 2-2 draws in the previous fortnight.
West Ham United: Cowler, Alexander (Potts 76), Young, Chambers, Siafa, Nash, Gogo (Fanimo 60), Miles, Sadlier, E Lee, Bywater (Turgott 66)