West Ham United 1-4 Southampton
The FA Youth Cup
Upton Park
08 March 2005

Southampton lived up to their billing as tournament favourites with a comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham at Upton Park last night.

Southampton dominated for large periods of the game and it was no surprise then when the visitors drew first blood on 22 minutes.

Lloyd James met a low cross from Theo Walcott on the left and headed past the helpless Darren Behcet in the West Ham goal.

The home side looked a different team after the break and drew level just two minutes after the restart through Ollie Allen, son of former Tottenham legend Clive.

The impressive Hogan Ephraim went on a mazy run from his own half before being tackled on the edge of the box and the ball fell to Allen who made no mistake drilling the ball home at the near post.

Southampton stayed composed and were back in front just ten minutes later through Leon Best.

Walcott, again the provider, picked out the powerful striker, who earlier hit the post, with a low cross which he tapped in from close range for the simplest of goals.

Best’s second goal came on 78 minutes when he fired the ball home from the edge of the box and Dyer rounded off the win with just five minutes left to make it 4-1.

West Ham were second best throughout large periods of the game, but can take heart from the performances of Ephraim and Moses Ashikodi who worked tirelessly upfront.

Southampton, though, looked assured from the start and on this performance it looks like The FA Youth Cup seems destined for St. Mary’s this year.

One to watch - Theo Walcott (Southampton)

Playing wide on the right,Theo was outstanding for Saints last night. In the current campaign he has notched three goals in five starts for England’s Under-17s and scored the winner against Arsenal in the last round of The FA Youth Cup.

His searing pace and intelligent link-up play with team-mates provided a serious handful for the Hammers defence at Upton Park.

He might have scored a couple himself, one firm effort being deflected behind by the ‘keeper’s left boot without his knowing too much about it, but two delightful cut-backs were gratefully slammed into the net by Leon Best.

Theo has that priceless ability to take players on and beat them nearly every time with his speed and close control.

Team Details

West Ham: Darren Behcet, Jemel Henry, Chirs Cohen, Liam White, James Tomkins, David Cowley, Oliver Allen, Tony Stokes, Moses Ashiokodi, Hogan Ephraim, Kyel Reid.
Subs: Ishmael Welsh, Matthew Reed, Densel Davidson, Ryan Andrews, Jack Jeffrey.

Southampton: Andrew McNeil, Craig Richards, Kyle Critchell, Sean Rudd, Martin Cranie, Feliciano Condesso, Theo Walcott, Tim Sparv, Leon Best, Lloyd James, Nathan Dyer.
Subs: Sebastian Wallis-Tayler, Ashlee Jones, David McGoldrick, Josh Dutton-Black, Josh Mulvany.