West Ham United U18s kick start their Play Off campaign with a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 14 March.
The Hammers, who finished in the Second Group of the Barclays U18 Premier League South Division host the Seagulls for the second time this season, having beaten them 2-1 in January, courtesy of goals from Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Jerry Amoo.
Opening goalscorer that day, Hector-Ingram is hoping to add to his already impressive goals to game ratio of five in nine games – the second best at the Club after Development Squad striker Paul McCallum with three goals in as many games.
Speaking ahead of the game, Hector-Ingram said: “I'd definitely like to add my tally. As I missed the first half of the season through injury, I'm making up for lost time.
“It's a big game on Saturday and we want to try and end the season on a high. So we're trying to use these final games as a chance to stand our ground and certainly not lose any games. So it's a big game ahead.”
The U18s approach the game in good form having despatched Reading 4-0 in the final game of the regular league season.
In contrast, since playing the Hammers, the Seagulls have struggled results wise, losing their last six games, however the young striker knows the Hammers can take nothing for granted come Saturday morning.
“Saturday's another opportunity, because every game is potentially a step closer to playing in that first team. So I just want to use all these opportunities to score goals and I want to get it going on Saturday.
“Everyone knows each other’s game and it’s one of those things, you often don’t need to say too much on the pitch. You just do it!”
“We're a confident bunch. Several of us have represented our national teams, we're all doing well. We're producing good things right now, all of us. We're on form, we've been consistent this season and have all been pushing up to different levels.”
Across the U18s Play Off campaign, the Hammers will play Derby County, Reading, Wolves, Liverpool and Sunderland before a final round of games against Leicester City on Saturday 9 May 9.
Kick off at Rush Green is 11am, admission and parking are both FREE.
The Hammers, who finished in the Second Group of the Barclays U18 Premier League South Division host the Seagulls for the second time this season, having beaten them 2-1 in January, courtesy of goals from Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Jerry Amoo.
Opening goalscorer that day, Hector-Ingram is hoping to add to his already impressive goals to game ratio of five in nine games – the second best at the Club after Development Squad striker Paul McCallum with three goals in as many games.
Speaking ahead of the game, Hector-Ingram said: “I'd definitely like to add my tally. As I missed the first half of the season through injury, I'm making up for lost time.
“It's a big game on Saturday and we want to try and end the season on a high. So we're trying to use these final games as a chance to stand our ground and certainly not lose any games. So it's a big game ahead.”
The U18s approach the game in good form having despatched Reading 4-0 in the final game of the regular league season.
In contrast, since playing the Hammers, the Seagulls have struggled results wise, losing their last six games, however the young striker knows the Hammers can take nothing for granted come Saturday morning.
“Saturday's another opportunity, because every game is potentially a step closer to playing in that first team. So I just want to use all these opportunities to score goals and I want to get it going on Saturday.
“Everyone knows each other’s game and it’s one of those things, you often don’t need to say too much on the pitch. You just do it!”
“We're a confident bunch. Several of us have represented our national teams, we're all doing well. We're producing good things right now, all of us. We're on form, we've been consistent this season and have all been pushing up to different levels.”
Across the U18s Play Off campaign, the Hammers will play Derby County, Reading, Wolves, Liverpool and Sunderland before a final round of games against Leicester City on Saturday 9 May 9.
Kick off at Rush Green is 11am, admission and parking are both FREE.