Academy

Preview: U18s start FA Youth Cup campaign against Saints

7th December 2023

West Ham United U18s v Southampton U18s
Friday 8 December, FA Youth Cup round three, Rush Green Stadium, 7pm GMT

West Ham United U18s start their FA Youth Cup defence against Southampton on Friday evening.

The Hammers, who last term lifted the prestigious Youth Cup for the fourth time in the Club’s history, enter the competition in round three.

A re-match against the Saints awaits – the side Kevin Keen’s outfit beat at the semi-final stage last season.

Read on for our full preview...

How to watch

Fans in the UK will be able to watch the Hammers’ fixture via a live stream on the Club’s website and YouTube channel.

Our stream will start around five minutes before kick-off.

What happened last season

West Ham United’s U18s completed a wonderful, historic double by coming from behind to defeat Arsenal 5-1 and lift the FA Youth Cup last May.

Roared on by more than 7,000 fans at Emirates Stadium, Kevin Keen’s U18 Premier League South division champions produced another superb performance to win the biggest prize in junior football for the fourth time in the Club’s history.

George Earthy, Callum Marshall, captain Gideon Kodua, Kaelan Casey and Josh Briggs got the goals, wiping out Omari Benjamin’s seventh-minute opener and sealing a memorable victory for this talented team.

You can watch the highlights by clicking here.

Briggs ready for Saints test

Josh Briggs expects a real battle when the U18s go head-to-head with Southampton on Friday.

The young centre-back was one of the scorers in the final last season, as his first touch rounded off an impressive 5-1 win over Arsenal last May.

He is excited about the challenge of FA Youth Cup football this term.

“It was special being part of that team,” said Briggs. “We fought hard for each other and got to the final.

“I was nervous coming on but obviously Lewis crossed the ball in, and I scored and that was one of the best feelings in the world and probably my best football moment so far.”

The young centre-back has been a key player for the U18s this season – and is relishing a more senior role at U18 level this term.

He added: “We are still confident in the group we have this year. We have been very good so far this season and we are a very close and together group.

“We back ourselves to win on Friday. It has been a quick start to the season, and we have got ourselves back to some winning momentum, so we are in good form heading into Friday’s match.”