West Ham’s U21 side have booked their place in the last four of the Premier League International Cup after their win against Brighton last night which went to extra time.

The Hammers were a goal down 16 minutes in after Brighton’s Cameron Peupion’s finish gave the Seagulls a first half lead. With work to be done in the second half, West Ham’s U21s came out fighting and took the game to Brighton.

Ollie Scarles’ fantastic free kick just after 70 minutes made it 1-1 and took the tie to extra time. Both sides created chances and had opportunities to score a winning goal in what was an entertaining additional 30 minutes.

Midfielder Lewis Orford prevented the match from going to penalties, heading home the winning goal for the young Hammers with eight minutes of extra time remaining.

Speaking to the club’s official website after the quarter final tie, match winner Lewis Orford, who was playing in his first game since his 18th birthday said: “I am pretty knackered right now, but the boys dug deep and put in another good performance to get over the line. We deserved to win in the end, and I was pleased to finish it with a goal.”

The West Ham Way’s ExWHUEmployee took to X (Formerly Twitter) after the U21’s sealed their place in the semi finals of the PL International Cup and said: “Brilliant win for the Under 21s beating Brighton in the PL International Cup. Oliver Scarles, who has been on the bench regularly for the first team, scored a free kick equaliser before Lewis Orford got the winner from a header in extra time, his first game since turning 18.”

West Ham’s U21s are back in league action next weekend as they face off against 16th placed Blackburn. Kick off is at 1pm at the Lancashire FA County Ground.