The future generation of West Ham United stars appear to be heading in the right direction, even if the same cannot be said of those currently at Graham Potter’s disposal.
Two years after Mark Robson’s Under 23s claimed the FA Youth Cup via a 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal, West Ham United’s latest crop of reserves are in line for an impressive top-four finish in the Premier League 2 table.
George Earthy, Callum Marshall and Gideon Kodua all scored in that Youth Cup obliteration – the latter converting a sublime 35-yard lob – and the trio took considerable steps towards establishing themselves in the men’s game during stand-out loan spells.
Earthy was Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year. Forward Callum Marshall headlined the end-of-season gongs at Huddersfield Town, and Kodua played a key role as Wycombe Wanderers secured a play-off spot in League One.
Further down the age groups, at Under 18 level, a 4-2 final day victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday left coach Zavon Hines with a smile on his face.
Elisha Sowumni and Isaac Thomas shine for West Ham United’s U18s
Josh Landers gave Hines’ team the lead with his ninth goal in 12 appearances. A quickfire Baggies brace turned the game around, only for half-time substitute Elisha Sowumni to turn the tables again.
Sowumni equalised midway through the second half following Finley Hooper’s crucial penalty save. The 17-year-old then curled what the official West Ham website called an ‘unstoppable effort’ into the top corner of the West Brom net.
Mehmet Helim’s penalty clinched the win – lifting West Ham’s U18s up to ninth in the end-of-season standings – while Sowumni ended a terrific campaign with 14 goals in 24 games.
“We wanted to end the season on a positive, and a win always helps that feeling,” Hines, a graduate of West Ham’s academy himself, told the club’s website.
“We started well. Then, during the game, we kind of dipped a little bit. But then to come out second half and then get a penalty save and then go on to win the game in that style, it’s really good.
“All the substitutes made an impact. Elisha came on and scored a couple, which he’ll get the highlight for, but I thought Issac [Thomas], as an Under 15s player, came on and made a difference.”
Zavon Hines delighted with West Ham’s Premier League Cup triumph
Teenage Welshman Thomas made his debut for West Ham’s Under 18s with 82 minutes on the clock and the scores still level. Four goals, a win to end the season, a top-half finish, and a pair of game-changing substitutions, no wonder Hines is happy.
“I think it’s been a positive season,” Hines adds, a fortnight after West Ham beat Reading to secure the club’s first ever Premier League Cup title.
“Obviously, especially winning the Premier League Cup, it’s always a good thing. In the league, we’ve been quite inconsistent result-wise, but there are a lot of other factors that play a part in that.
“But, for me personally, it’s been a positive because from the start of the season to now there’s a lot of development within the individuals. I can be proud of that because there’s a lot of hard work that’s gone on with all the staff to help the players, and I feel like they’ve done really well to adapt to this environment as well.
“It’s not always about the position in the table. We’re big on development, but also part of development is winning, creating a winning mentality, and obviously we’re quite disappointed with not winning more games than normal.
“But the main thing for me personally is the development of the players themselves and helping them be better people as well, because that will help their performances and professionalism going forward.”
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