A very enjoyable trip to the Emirates, and all for a fiver. And what a turnout from 7000 WHU fans for this under-18 final, watched by 34,000 fans. I'm with daughter Nell and a couple of rows behind diehards Matt and Lisa. The Hammers line-up includes Divin Mubama and Ollie Scarles who have both played for the first team this season.
Keeper Mason Terry has to make a great save from a free kick early on, and Arsenal take the lead when Benjamin finishes well after a Terry save falls to him on the edge of the box. But this young West Ham side don't seem to realise they are meant to regularly lose at the Emirates. George Earthy makes a forceful run from midfield, gets a slightly lucky rebound, and scores with a thumping shot. A few minutes later Callum Marshall gets on the end of an inviting cross to make it 2-1.
The half ends on a high as captain Gideon Kodua pounces on some defensive dithering to score with an excellent 30-yard chip over the keeper. It's quiet in the Library, apart from in the West Ham end where the chants juke box is going through Bubbles, "West Ham are Massive!" and the Ludek Miklosko and Frank Lampard songs.
The second half sees sustained Arsenal pressure, thwarted by determined blocks from Casey and co and some fine saves from Terry. Having soaked up the Arsenal onslaught, West Ham win a corner when Earthy's shot is saved. Kaelan Casey heads home from the set piece. It's five when sub Joshua Briggs scores with his first shot. A chant of "You're getting sacked in the morning!" is cheekily directed at Gunners boss Jack Wilshere.
At the end the PA is forced to play Bubbles and it's moving to see these young players celebrate the best moment of their fledgling careers. Gaffer Kevin Keen comes on the pitch and gets a deserved chant from the fans. And then there's the unexpected sight of a West Ham team lifting a trophy.
It's too early to say whether any of this group will emulate 1999 FA Youth Cup winners Michael Carrick and Joe Cole, but on this showing the Irons have some great prospects coming up. And it's not often we win 5-1 at the Emirates. Come on you Irons!
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