Hammer time for U18s
Cup kings Charlton U18s return to league business on Saturday with a tasty home derby against West Ham United (11am).
The Hammers make the short journey to Sparrows Lane to take on their Addicks counterparts, who are hoping to build on their midweek FA Youth Cup success over Woking.
Tamer Tuna was in sizzling form against the Cards, bagging a clinical hat-trick to set up a third-round tie at home to Chelsea next month.
But before then, development coach Damian Matthew is seeking another positive performance from his side in their traditional Saturday morning slot.
"Woking acquitted themselves well on Wednesday," reflected Matthew. "I went to watch them against Dagenham & Redbridge and we knew their front two would be a handful physically.
"The big difference for us was the quality of Tamer, and his finishing. At times we passed the ball around well and had some good passages of play, but as we have said all season, we are still a developing team.
"Woking fielded a team of second years while we had a mixed bag, and obviously the boys will learn a lot from the two Valley games. We know we have got to do better, but I was pleased to get through."
The Addicks were without a league fixture last weekend after their scheduled home match with Crystal Palace fell victim to the adverse weather.
Instead, the youngsters enjoyed a rare Saturday training session designed not only to prepare them for Woking, but West Ham as well.
"It was good to get some football fitness into the boys and we are hoping it continues to hold us in good stead for the game against West Ham," said Matthew.
"We went to Portsmouth, beat Gillingham [in the opening round of the FA Youth Cup] and then lost to Arsenal, and that was a tough week for the boys. We put in a lot of good work against Portsmouth and Gillingham but we suffered against Arsenal the following Saturday.
"Again, what that taught the boys is the level they have to be at if they want to be a professional player. It's a good education, and we are hoping for a better reaction after the midweek game against a very good academy side in West Ham."
Charlton, feeling the effects of their midweek cup exploits, lost 6-0 against Arsenal last time out in the league.
And another club renowned for bringing talented youngsters through the ranks, Tony Carr's West Ham will offer a stern test at the weekend.
Midweek hat-trick hero Tuna was on target the last time the two clubs met at Sparrows Lane; the striker and Ben Godfrey striking in quick succession in a 2-1 win on November 15th last year.
The Hammers held the upper hand on home turf later in the season with goals in the first and last minutes book-ending a strike from Liam Bellamy which sealed another 2-1 home win.
"People talk about West Ham and the academy of football and the person who has shaped that is Tony Carr," Matthew added. "He was youth-team coach there when I was a boy, so I have an immense amount of respect for him. As a young coach, it's a real pleasure to learn off and get information from someone as renowned as him.
"We've done well against West Ham in the past few years and had some good contests, and it's been great to see the players competing against each other through the ranks. Jack Clark and Junior Stanislas, and Chris Solly against Freddy Sears are just two of the battles, and we have also been up against current first-teamers like Jack Collison."
Looking ahead to this season's first clash between the two sides, Matthew noted: "West Ham have picked up recently after being a bit hit and miss earlier in the season. They have got very good individuals and are in a good vein of form, so it will be a good test for us. But it's a test we are looking forward to."
Picture by Edmund Boyden
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