West Ham 3 Southampton 3 WEST HAM S Academy boys had to settle for a point at Little Heath on Saturday morning as Southampton grabbed two late goals to earn a share of the spoils. Tony Carr s team seemed to be heading for only their second victory of the

West Ham 3 Southampton 3

WEST HAM'S Academy boys had to settle for a point at Little Heath on Saturday morning as Southampton grabbed two late goals to earn a share of the spoils.

Tony Carr's team seemed to be heading for only their second victory of the season, but defensive lapses allowed the Sai-nts to capitalise and peg West Ham back to 3-3.

Jack Werndly scored two and Danny Subuola the other as West Ham showed their potential by opening up a 3-1 lead, but in the end it was to prove not enough.

"Both their goals in the second half were sloppy," admitted Carr. "We had a free kick in their half and they went on to score and then the goalkeeper has made a mistake in the last few minutes."

Keeper Denis Mehmet, 16, has impressed of late, even spending some time training with the first team, and Carr does not expect him to make a habit of Saturday's costly mistake - it happens to the best of goalkeepers as Robert Green can testify to after Sunday's first-team match with Fulham.

"It was a routine catch, he will do it again 50 times and catch it 50 times," said Carr. "It will be good for his development and for the rest of the boys.

"It isn't all ups and it makes them stronger as they rise through the ranks."

There were other plus points, with the return of Conor Okus in midfield after finally recovering from a groin injury, while there was a debut for 16-year-old striker Dylan Tombides, which pleased the academy director.

"There were positives like seeing Dylan come on," said Carr. "He is an under-16 striker who we have got very high hopes for. He did very well and was lively, while Jack Werndly got the start he has been itching to get. He took his goal well and hopefully will gain confidence from that."

This Saturday, the under-18s make the trip to Crystal Palace.