Match Reports

MU18s stun league leaders West Ham

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Albion struck late to snatch all three points from the runaway leaders.

By Charlie Hanson • 03 April 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Arthur Brammer hailed the win as 'the biggest of the season'.

Two injury-time goals saw Albion secure a stunning 4-3 victory at West Ham on Saturday which denied the Irons the chance to secure the Premier League South title.

Needing just a point, West Ham were 2-0 up after an hour at the Little Heath Sports Centre.

Callum Marshall’s effort deflected off the outstretched leg of Charlie Penman and into the top right corner for the only goal of the first half, before the Irons extended their lead 13 minutes after the restart when Gideon Kodua nodded in from a cross from the right.

Albion fought back with a move that was started by goalkeeper Tommy Reid. The visitors quickly moved it through midfield, Remiero Moulton crossed, Harry Howell met it first time and although his effort was blocked, it fell to Bailey Smith to nod in with 15 minutes to go.

Three minutes later Moulton got on the end of Reid’s ball over the top before firing in through goalkeeper Mason Terry’s legs to make it 2-2.

By Paul Hazlewood
Arthur Brammer hailed the win as 'the biggest of the season'.

The Irons appeared to have the title in the bag in the 86th minute when Lewis Orford converted from Marshall’s pull back.

Harry Lee’s volley to make it 3-3 in the second minute of second half injury time looked as if it had salvaged a point, but Albion were on cloud nine when Moulton put the visitors in front for the first time a minute later.

His header from Smith’s cross was saved, then Lee had sent a simple header at the back post wide, but Moulton recovered to tap in for an unlikely winner.

Professional development phase coach Arthur Brammer said, “It’s the biggest win of the season and was really pleasing. What was nice was how we played, the boys deserved something from the game and they showed character to come from 2-0 and 3-2 down. To get an equaliser and then a winner was incredibly pleasing, it was a big show of character.

“We’ve got a quick turnaround before facing Tottenham on Wednesday. They are on a good streak, so it’ll be tough. We’ve spoken to the boys about not being complacent after beating the team that is top of the league."