Post-Match Report

U-18s: West Ham 2-2 Arsenal - Report

West Ham United U18 -

Little Heath Sports Centre
Premier League U18
Premier League U18
  West Ham United U18
      
              0 (14, 20)
          
   crest
West Ham United U18
0 (14, 20)
2 - 2
  Arsenal U18
      
                  Eddie Nketiah (22, 48)
            
   crest
Arsenal U18
Eddie Nketiah (22, 48)

By Lloyd Webb

Eddie Nketiah struck a brace as Arsenal Under-18s came from two goals down to draw at West Ham United.

The Gunners found themselves with a mountain to climb after Jahmal Hector-Ingram scored twice to give the hosts a comfortable lead.

But Nketiah scored either side of the break to earn Arsenal a valuable point.

Frans de Kat made four changes to his side for the fixture in east London. Joe Willock, Vlad Dragomir and Nketiah were named in the forward line, while Tolaji Bola was introduced in defence.

Arsenal started slowly and were punished when Hector-Ingram capitalised on a defensive error to calmly roll the ball past Ryan Huddart.

Hector-Ingram soon got his second when he found himself alone in the box to head the ball into the bottom corner in the 20th minute.

The Gunners pulled one back just before the break when Nketiah raced past his marker and cut inside to fire past Tim Brown.

Oscar Borg would have scored the hosts’ third had it not been for some fine defending from Kristopher Da Graca to clear the ball off the line.

Nketiah completed the comeback after Willock’s attempt forced Brown to spill the ball into the path of the striker, who made no mistake from a few yards out.

Grady Diangana came close to restoring the Hammers’ lead when he cut inside but saw his curled effort go wide of the far post.

Diangana then had another chance late on but a fine reaction save from Huddart kept the scores level as Arsenal managed to take a point away from Little Heath Sports Centre.