U18 Premier League
Arsenal 1 (Matthews (pen) 43) West Ham 5
Arsenal U18s suffered a heavy defeat at home to West Ham United today as they were beaten 5-1.
Ken Gillard was deprived of the services of a host of players, with Ben Cottrell, Sam Greenwood, Alex Kirk, Matthew Dennis and Ryan Alebiosu all travelling with the U23s to Liverpool.
As a result, schoolboys Khayon Edwards and Zach Awe started for the U18s, with Alfie Matthews the only second year involved.
West Ham took the lead in the 28th minute with Sebastian Nebyla scoring but Matthews pulled Arsenal level from the penalty spot.
The Hammers missed a penalty of their own and then made it 2-1 after the break as Kamara Simon-Swyer found the net.
A brace from Ademipo Odubeko inflicted further misery upon Arsenal and Zane Monlouis then scored an own goal.
There was one positive for Arsenal, however, with midfielder Miguel Azeez featuring as a substitute as he made his return from injury.
Arsenal: Graczyk; Oyegoke, Monlouis, Sraha, Ogungbo; Patino, Awe; Butler-Oyedeji, Matthews, Edwards; Plange.
Subs: Kovacevic, Azeez (for Patino 59), Cirjan (for Butler-Oyedeji 59), Laing (for Sraha 65).
