The second half continued as the first had ended, and Sowunmi gave us some breathing room in the 53rd minute when a second penalty was awarded for the match. The Hammers’ No.7 dusted himself off after being brought down by Phillip Duah to fire into the roof of the net.

However, the hosts gave themselves an unexpected lifeline just before the hour mark when Coke-Miles-Smith fired a low-angle shot into the far corner before a Trialist’s lowered header went just wide above.

Lauris Coggin then handed U18 debuts to 16-year-old Bulgaria youth international Martin Peychev and U15 defender Emmanuel Nuelf from the substitutes’ bench, while another substitute Majid Balogun knocked the ball wide after being played through behind one on one.

Sowunmi’s hat-trick was yet to come.

Fearon passed to Sowunmi in the box, who was tackled by a few Reading defenders. The young striker shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner beyond the Royals keeper Welland.

West Ham United U18: Hooper, Medine, Kamara, Golambeckis, Scanlon, Hargan (Peychev 78), Fearon ©, Adiele (Nuelf 84), Sowunmi, Caliste, Halim (Balogun 65)
Submarine not used: Nightingale (GK), Oyebade,

Goals: Adiele 15, Sowunmi 45, 53, 88

Reserved: Hargan, Adiele

Coggin: “It was a really positive day.”

West Ham United U18s head coach Lauris Coggin said Saturday’s victory at Reading was the culmination of the hard work they have put in since the start of the season.

The young Hammers dominated in a 4-1 victory at Bearwood Park, thanks to a hat-trick from Elisha Sowunmi and Emeka Adiele.

Coggin was also delighted to be able to give debuts to talented West Ham teenagers Peychev and Nuelf.

“I thought it was a really professional performance,” Coggin said. “We were dominant throughout, especially in the first half. Ahead of our cup match against Everton on Tuesday, we controlled the game in a good way in the second half.

“We are really happy and excited that we were able to showcase some of our younger players as well. That’s why we’re all here (to give people the opportunity) and we want there to be as many U18s in the U21s and U16s in the U18s as possible, and it’s our job to give those players the path to shine.

“The boys are now getting the results they deserve thanks to the hard work they have put in since the start of the season. It’s been really positive. We had a good win against Spurs last weekend and we were able to consolidate it against Reading today.

“We are really happy for Elisha (Sowunmi), but even more so for his work without the ball today. It’s something we’re looking for, and he showed all of our values ​​and was a real example for our young players today. It was a really positive day.