West Ham extended Fulham under 18’s winless league run to seven games as they turned in a clinical display to win the London derby 3-1 at Motspur Park this afternoon.
Although George Okkas cancelled out George Earthy’s opener on the hour mark, a sneaky second from Divin Mubama – who nipped in to score after Alex Borto had placed the ball done for a goal kick – put the Hammers in front before Callum Marshall sealed their third win in a row right at the death.
Ali Melloul’s side began brightly with Olly Sanderson drawing a smart save from Jacob Knightbridge, but West Ham looked dangerous in the final third from the outset. Mubama had a shot deflected wide after exchanging passes with Oliver Scarles. They went in front when midfielder George Earthy was first to the rebound after Gideon Kadua’s shot had struck the woodwork – and might have doubled the lead shortly afterwards had Luc de Fougerolles not producing a saving tackle in the nick of time.
Fulham struggled to create much of note by way of response with Michael Olakigbe shooting across goal in the home side’s brightest moment before the break. The young Whites started the second half on the front foot with an Olakigbe having another effort blocked before Okkas curled in a lovely leveller from Imani Lanquedoc’s cross. The equaliser only served to galvanise West Ham and, after Mubama’s cheeky effort, they should have made the points safe. Borto saved well from the lively centre forward but Lewis Orford missed the target entirely when it seemed easier to score.
Mubama was heavily involved in the decisive third, breezing away from Olakigbe and supplying the cross for substitute Marshall to make sure from close range. The disappointing defeat leaves Fulham in seventh place in the southern Premier League with nineteen points from thirteen matches.
FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-3-3): Borto; Benjamin, de Fougerolles (Tanton 84), Araujo, Parkes; Okkas, Lanquedoc, McCoy-Splatt; Olakigbe, Works (Gordon 62), Sanderson. Subs (not used): Allen, A. Parker, Wildbore.
BOOKED: Works, Sanderson.
GOAL: Okkas (61).
WEST HAM UNITED (3-5-2): Knightbridge; Forbes, Tarima (Marshall 62), Casey; J. Robinson, Scarles (Falase 53), Orford, Woods, Earthy; Mubama, Kadua (Evans 69). Subs (not used): Terry.
BOOKED: J. Robinson.
GOALS: Earthy (16), Mubama (76), Marshall (90).
