SUMMARY
Our under-18s recorded an emphatic 6-1 win over West Ham United at London Colney on Saturday.
Emile Smith-Rowe netted a hat-trick with Zech Medley - who captained the side - providing two goals of his own.
Folarin Balogun was also on the scoresheet.
SETTING THE SCENE
Joao Virginia lined up in goal, with a defence of Vontae Daley-Campbell, Medley, Joseph Olowu and Tobi Omole in front of him.
Daniel Ballard paired up with Josh Benson to form the central midfield duo, with James Olayinka, Burton and Smith-Rowe in more advanced roles.
Balogun spearheaded our attack.
FIRST HALF
Kwame Ampadu’s side got off to a dream start when Balogun found the net with a low, driven effort after Daley-Campbell spotted the forward’s run into the right channel.
Virginia had a moment to forget just 10 minutes later, misjudging a header after a lofted ball was sent towards goal, allowing Korrey Henry to tap home.
Smith-Rowe then twice combined with Robbie Burton, with the former giving us a 3-1 lead going into the interval. His first goal saw him bamboozle the goalkeeper and defence before rolling the ball home, with his second a prodded finish.
SECOND HALF
Three became four just eight minutes into the second half, when Medley nodded in after Olowu’s initial header had come back off the line.
Burton was then brought to ground in the penalty area, enabling Smith-Rowe to power a spot-kick low into the left-hand side of the goal.
Wales youth international Burton was proving to be central to most of our goals, and he proved to be so once again when his free-kick to the far post was nodded home by Medley to complete the scoring.
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