EXTRA TIME

Youth Cup Semifinal at LS

April 5, 2023 at 11:15 pm Leave a comment

West Ham United’s U 18 have reached the penultimate round of the FA Youth Cup. That’s good news, and the young Hammers will play their semi-final tie with Southampton at the London Stadium!

Kevin Keen’s young Hammers are set to take to the pitch at London Stadium for a first FA Youth Cup last four match in 24 years, with the winners of Thursday’s game taking on Arsenal in the final after the Gunners beat Manchester City 2-1 AET on Tuesday evening.

Kevin Keen’s side earned their place in the last four thanks to a quartet of away wins in the previous rounds.

The U18s saw off Sheffield United 3-1 before Christmas, before beating Burnley 1-0 in the fourth round thanks to George Earthy’s late strike.

Victory in the last 16 was earned away to Stoke City thanks to a blistering attacking display, with the Hammers running out 4-1 winners, before a frantic and thrilling 4-2 extra-time win away to Ipswich Town in the quarter-finals.

Head coach Kevin Keen knows how important Thursday’s match is, both in the context of the campaign so far and for each of the young players on a personal level:

“For a few of them though, there might be more chances to play even more times at London Stadium with the first team. And maybe even one or two of them might go on to play a lot of games there, with West Ham United. That’s the overarching goal. 

“We’ve done quite well away from home, and there’s always a bit more attention on a home game. But we’re delighted for the boys to get that amazing opportunity to play at the home stadium. We have to say though, that we’ve done quite well away from home so far.”

The U18s have reached the semi-final stage of the tournament for the first time since 1999; the last year West Ham went all the way and won the competition.

Keen, who played as a midfielder for West Ham himself in the eighties and nineties, is proud of the effort, talent and fortitude shown by his squad in reaching the last four and is hopeful the journey will continue past Thursday.

Come on you young Irons!

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