According to lead coach Kevin Keen, there is a lot to have enjoyed from the opening half of West Ham United U18s' 2023/24 campaign.
The Hammers sit second in the U18 Premier League table, heading into 2024. They have also reached the latter stages of the Premier League Cup and the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
Results, though, are only part of the story for this side, who have continued to impress as many of the squad make the step up from schoolboy football to being a full-time professional.
Case in point was the final fixture of the U18s first half of 2023/24 against Tottenham Hotspur. With senior figures Ryan Battrum and Favour Fawumni missing due to injury, only three second-year scholars started as the U18s toppled leaders Spurs in their backyard.
That result, the Irons' seventh win of the U18 Premier League South season, means the Hammers are only two points behind Tottenham with a game in hand, as it stands. Good progress then, as they chase successive league titles following last season’s FA Youth Cup and league double. Go back five months, and the growth, since an opening-day defeat to Arsenal, has been remarkable, then.
“The group has come on leaps and bounds and there is a humility about the way they work,” Keen enthused. “When you have got that sort of group there is always a chance you can go and challenge for trophies.
“The work the group puts in and the togetherness in the changing rooms and the celebrations shows you everything you need to know.
“You combine that hard work with a team ethic, a wonderful attitude, and a togetherness that is tough to get into a young team, and it’s a very powerful mixture.”
Amongst Keen’s squad, there has no doubt been some impressive performances across the pitch. Attackers Dan Rigge (pictured, above) and Josh Ajala have both been awarded professional contracts at the Club as they continue to impress in attack. Jemiah Umolu has also been in stunning form too. Midfielder Tyron Akpata has also impressed as a stand-in skipper. Fin Herrick has also starred between the sticks.
Perhaps, though, it is the defence that has shone in particular this season. Ryan Battrum was a commanding figure at the heart of the defence, before his injury last month, while in recent weeks youngster Aridas Golambeckis has shown plenty of promise, alongside the talented pairing of Josh Briggs (pictured, below) and Ezra Mayers in the back three.
“Josh has matured so much over his time as a scholar,” Keen agreed. “And then there’s Ezra, who plays as if he’s got the experience of a 35-year-old professional.
“They are both great to play alongside, especially when you have Fin Herrick behind them as well. I thought Tyron has been really good too in midfield. He has come in and skippered the side well [in Ryan Battrum’s absence].”
Golambeckis is of course an U16 and his step up to perform in recent outings further reinforces the Academy of Football’s mantra: ‘If you’re good enough to play and age group up then you will’.
It’s why Lewis Orford and Ollie Scarles have found themselves with the U21s this campaign – and why Golambeckis has been given the chance with the U18s.
Despite the youthful nature of the side, the Hammers are challenging on three fronts heading into the new year. Keen, though, wants them to kick on both on and off the pitch as another talented group looks set to emerge from the ranks at Chadwell Heath. An exciting time, then?
“It is,” Keen agreed. “We’re in the mix for a couple of competitions.
“We’re in the next round of the Premier League Cup, which we have not done for a while, and in the FA Youth Cup fourth round too, which will be a challenging game [at home to Manchester City at Rush Green on Friday 12 January at 7pm].
“To be in and around the top of the league too and challenging is fantastic. It just breeds a winning mentality, which is good to see.
