Elisha Sowunmi scored a hat trick as West Ham’s U18 side were victorious against league leaders Aston Villa, beating the West Midlands side 3-1. The U18’s are now unbeaten in five matches in all competitions.

Lauris Coggins’ side asserted their dominance for large parts of the first half, often looking particularly dangerous on the counter attack. Midway through the first half, Preston Fearon struck a free kick from around 20 yards out which sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Villa then grew in confidence as Bradley Burrowes registered the hosts first effort on target, shortly before Rodrigo Fortes fired his strike just wide of Finley Hooper’s goal.

As the first came nearer to an end, chances continued to fall the way of both sides as both the Hammers and Aston Villa searched for an opening goal. The Hammers would find a goal in first half stoppage time, thanks to an indirect free kick in strange circumstances which was put away by leading goalscorer Sowunmi.

The first half’s end to end intensity continued into the second half. Not long before the hour mark, West Ham would double their advantage. Adiele was brought down in the penalty area, Elisha Sowunmi stepped up and fired home the resulting spot kick to score his second of the game.

Aston Villa refused to throw the towel in however, getting a goal back just five minutes later. Brannigan took advantage of a loose ball from Fearon and finished from close range to bring Villa back into the game.

The Hammers went straight back on the attack, Dike attempted to latch on to a ball into the box and was brought down by a challenge from Fortes. West Ham were awarded their second penalty of the game, after waiting several minutes to take the spot kick whilst Dike received treatment, Sowunmi stepped up once again, showing great composure to score once again from the spot and secure a second hat trick in three weeks.

Just when West Ham thought they were home and dry, Villa were awarded a penalty of their own after Hammers keeper Hooper brought down Burrowes in the box. Hooper would quickly redeem himself with an excellent stop to deny the Villa forward.

Despite late pressure from the hosts, the Hammers held on to earn the win and secured their third win in their last four league matches.

Speaking to the Club’s official website, U18’s lead coach Lauris Coggin suggested his sides recent form is down to the work they put in paying off: “We’ve put a lot of work in over the last few weeks in regard to being brave and sticking to what we believe in, and I think we saw those positive qualities today.”

Coggin went on to add: “It’s all down to what the boys are doing everyday, and we’ve put a big emphasis on us being together in every single moment, and we’re starting to see players coach, taking on leadership roles and stepping up on the pitch, which is really pleasing as a coach.”