West Ham’s U18 side are out of the FA Youth Cup after a narrow third round 1-0 defeat against Grimsby Town’s U18 side.

The Hammers started the game well, enjoying a lot of the ball and trying to control the tempo. League Two Grimsby were more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure from their Premier League opponents.

It was Grimsby though who would take the lead after 38 minutes. Following a quick throw in down the left hand side, a pin point cross was delivered into the box. Grayson Giles took advantage of a lapse in concentration from the West Ham defence to head home at the near post and make it 1-0 to Grimsby.

Before and after half time the Hammers pushed for a goal and to get themselves back into the game. However, Lauris Coggin’s side struggled to find a way through Grimsby’s well organised back line. West Ham’s best opportunity came in the 65th minute; Gabriel Caliste was one on one against Auton but struck his effort straight at the Grimsby keeper.

As the game drew closer to an end, West Ham piled on the pressure. Elisha Sowunmi’s skills in the box almost helped the young Hammers find an equaliser but his shot on goal was easily stopped. Despite a number of late corners, breaking down Grimsby’s tough and resolute defensive unit proved to be too tall of an order in the end.

West Ham’s U18 side had not lost since September. In the tie, Grimsby, who had a limited number of opportunities, were clinical and worked extremely hard to defend their lead.

Bowing out of the FA Cup so early on and to a League Two academy is a real shock and will be a massive disappointment for Lauris Coggin and his players. The Club has a great history in the FA Youth Cup having won the competition four times, there are some huge talents coming through at the moment and it was just two seasons ago that the U18’s won the league as well as the Youth Cup.

The young Hammers will have been hoping for a good cup run this campaign. They will want to use the frustrations from the Grimsby defeat as fuel for their upcoming league fixtures with their next three games all against fellow London clubs.