Leicester City U18s 3-1 West Ham United U18s
U18 Premier League South, Leicester City Training Ground, Saturday 30 August 2025, 12noon BST
West Ham United U18s were beaten by Leicester City in U18 Premier League South on Saturday, despite producing a strong performance in the East Midlands.
The Hammers enjoyed more possession, out-shot and had five times as many corners as their hosts – 15 to three – but the Foxes were more clinical in clinching a 3-1 home win. Leicester had just four shots on target at their LCFC Training Ground, but three of them found the Irons’ net.
Against the run of play, captain Lorenz Hutchinson put the home side in front on 14 minutes, tapping home Riley Carr’s cross after the winger had advanced into the West Ham penalty area.
The young Hammers almost conjured up a swift response when a high arching ball to the back post from Jephthah Medine was only partially cleared by the goalkeeper, ricocheting off his own defender and dropping kindly to Joel Kerr. The forward’s goalbound effort was crucially blocked by Maxwell Adedeji. Moments later, Joe Scanlon’s free-kick found Kerr at the back post, but with the angle tight he could only nod his header onto the upright from close range.
Despite looking the more dangerous side, West Ham fell further behind eight minutes before half-time. Joe Corden capitalised on a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Lanre Awesu and calmly finished beyond the England youth international.
The visitors showed great spirit after the interval and almost halved the deficit soon after the restart. Lewis Beckford stole possession inside the Leicester box and despite beating goalkeeper Freddie Marson with his effort, Adedeji was once again on hand to clear the danger, clearing off the line.
The pressure eventually told in the 53rd minute. Callum Leacock’s disguised pass found Aaron Kamara, who cleverly flicked the ball on to Scanlon. Breaking into the penalty area, the midfielder squared across goal, with Beckford and Kerr drawing defenders away to allow Andre Dike to apply the perfect first-time finish, his fourth goal in two games.
But once again, against the run of play, Leicester re-established their two-goal cushion when Bismarck Owusu drilled low inside the near post, a tough blow for the young Hammers after working so hard to get back into the game.
Most of the remaining action unfolded in the Leicester half. Substitutes Martin Peychev and Jonathan Unwin both saw dangerous efforts blocked and saved, while Chukwuemeka Obi’s strike, cleared off the line, was the closest the visitors came to reducing the deficit.
It was ultimately a really harsh result on our U18s, who showed bravery and endeavour throughout but were left unrewarded on the scoreboard. Lead coach Lauris Coggin will hope his side can secure their first league win of the season when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Little Heath Sports Ground on Saturday 13 September at 11am BST.
Leicester City U18s: Marson, Aideed, Toko, Adedeji (Dignum 60), Daniels (Fletcher 70), Lisle, Lawrence, Carr, Corden (Jacklin 60), Owusu, Hutchinson © (Manyumba 70)
Sub not used: Stretton (GK)
Booked: Manyumba, Lawrence
Goals: Hutchinson 14, Corden 37, Owusu 64
West Ham United U18s: Awesu, Perkins, Leacock ©, Jonyla (Montague 76), Scanlon (Obi 65), Kamara, Morris, Dike, Beckford (Peychev 76), Medine (Unwin 65), Kerr
Sub not used: Goodger (GK)
Booked: Perkins
Goals: Dike 53
