Under-18s: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham - Report

By Nik Brumsack at London Colney

Arsenal Under-18s eased to their second 3-0 win in a week after comfortably beating West Ham on Saturday.

A first-half Jack Jebb strike plus Jon Toral’s second-half brace proved enough to see off the Hammers on a glorious morning at London Colney.

Manager Pat Holland made four changes to the side that comfortably beat Norwich last weekend.

Last week’s substitutes Alfred Mugabo, Isaac Hayden, Anthony Jeffrey and Tarum Dawkins all came into the team. Elsewhere, Josh Vickers had recovered from the injury he sustained last time out to start in goal, while Austin Lipman again led the line.

In scenes reminiscent of last week’s win over the Canaries, Arsenal got off to the perfect start.

Jeffrey picked the ball up on the left and released the overlapping Ormonde-Ottewill.

The full back drove to the byline before crossing low for Jebb to sweep a left-footed effort past Jake Larkins and into the net.

It was the ideal way for the 17-year-old to celebrate signing his first professional contract on Thursday.

Holland’s team were controlling the game, with the lively Jeffrey a particular threat.

They could have doubled their lead after a quarter of an hour, when Jebb’s cross was met by the head of Toral. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, his effort landed on the roof of the net.

Both sides were trying to take advantage of the lush playing surface at Colney, with plenty of football being played on the floor.

Chances were at a premium though, and it took until 10 minutes before half time for the next noteworthy chance to come around.

After Jebb’s free kick wasn’t properly cleared, the ball fell to Kamara just outside the area. He crashed a shot that rebounded off the post with Larkins well beaten.

That let-off spurred the visitors into action with the previously untroubled Vickers being called into action to make a great save.

Kieran Sadlier advanced into the area, before slipping the ball into Nana Boakye-Yiadom. The winger turned Ormonde-Ottewill inside out before hitting a low shot across Vickers that the goalkeeper did well to get down to and push away from danger.

Arsenal began the second half well, with the central defensive pair of Hayden and Zac Fagan orchestrating proceedings from the back.

On the one occasion Hayden was caught in possession, the outstanding Fagan covered well to shut down Elliot Lee.

Then, just after the hour, Arsenal doubled their lead.

Jeffrey raced down the left-hand side before being hauled down in the area. The referee duly pointed to the spot and Toral converted with consummate ease.

West Ham came close to hitting back immediately when Amos Nasha’s header just lacked enough purchase to test Vickers.

Toral and Jebb have impressed in recent weeks, and the two combined again to kill the game off.

The latter’s cross from the right was perfect for the Spaniard, who headed emphatically beyond Larkins and in.

The Gunners’ stubbornness to keep a clean sheet was exemplified five minutes from time when, after Vickers had done well to save his initial effort, Lee’s rebound was headed off the line by Fagan.