Chelsea 4 West Ham United 3 WEST HAM S youngsters came through a terrifying moment on the M25 and a storming first-half showing from Chelsea, to battle back and almost grab a point in their latest FA Academy League game. Coach driver Mick Straker was the

Chelsea 4 West Ham United 3

WEST HAM'S youngsters came through a terrifying moment on the M25 and a storming first-half showing from Chelsea, to battle back and almost grab a point in their latest FA Academy League game.

Coach driver Mick Straker was the hero after an air pipe burst on the team coach causing the brakes to lock, and it was only his lightning reactions that prevented a serious incident.

Chelsea sent a mini-bus to pick up the players, but after the bump and waiting for 45 minutes on the hard shoulder of the motorway, the youngsters were understandably not best prepared for the tough match to come.

Callum McNaughton headed West Ham level on the half hour, but Chelsea were in full stride and Marko Mitrovic completed his hat-trick for the Blues early in the second half to give them an impressive 4-1 lead.

But West Ham, fielding three schoolboys in Dominic Vose, Blair Turgott and Robert Hall, never gave up and a double from Colombian striker Cristian Montano hauled them back to 4-3.

They couldn't quite muster an equaliser, but it was a good effort against a more than useful home team.

This Saturday, West Ham entertain Charlton Athletic at Little Heath with an 11am kick off, while the big one is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Newcastle United will be in town that night for the fifth round tie in the FA Youth Cup.

The match kicks off at 7pm and admission is �3 for adults and �1 for children.

West Ham: Cowler, Driver, McNau-ghton, Lampe, Brown (Sanchez 63), Vose, Moncur (Subuola 63), Wearen (Purdy 85), Turgott, Montano, Hall. Subs: Loveday, Craig.

MEANWHILE, Robert Hall has been selected in the England under-17 squad for the annual Algarve Tournament in Portugal.

The 16-year-old schoolboy will be part of the squad that takes on France, Ukraine and Portugal between February 13 and 16.