After the break, West Ham immediately regained control. The pressing from Beckford and substitute Jonathan Unwin set the tone, and just minutes later, they found their equaliser, which was a well-deserved reward for their dominance.
In the 52nd minute, Obi brought down a long ball and combined with Medine, who slipped it to Lewis Beckford. The midfielder spotted Obi’s run and threaded a clever pass through for the striker, who calmly slotted home to make it 1-1.
While Coggin’s side controlled possession, Palace remained a counter-attacking threat. Substitute Tomas Jonyla made a crucial block to deny a dangerous four on one breakaway that could have restored the visitors’ lead after the hour mark.
However, the league leaders then struck again in the 66th minute, capitalising on their pace in transition. David Montjen broke through and finished off the post, with the ball narrowly crossing the line despite a desperate clearance attempt.
But the young Hammers didn’t allow their heads to drop and continued to show their attacking threat. In the 68th minute, Beckford’s clever vision found Obi once more, but his low strike was straight at the 'keeper.
West Ham kept pushing, and their persistence paid off. In the 74th minute, captain Leacock slid in at the back post to score the equaliser from another pinpoint Medine delivery, with his dangerous set pieces causing problems all game.
Just minutes later, Medine almost turned from provider to scorer. A loose ball fell to him as he dribbled inside the box and rounded the Palace 'keeper, but his shot was cleared off the line at the last moment.
Despite Palace’s late counters, West Ham were resolute in defence. Then, deep into stoppage time, came the decisive moment.
In the 96th minute, top scorer Dike once again stepped up as the hero for his eighth goal of the season. Picking up the ball on the left flank, he weaved through challenges and powered into the box before firing home a brilliant strike to seal a 3-2 win with the final kick of the game.
The players ran to the corner and celebrated together in a well-deserved win, the Hammers’ fourth straight home victory and a statement win against the league leaders.
West Ham’s next fixture sees them return to Playford Road to face Ipswich Town after beating them 8-2 in their previous encounter. This time, they face each other in the U18 Premier League Cup, where Coggin’s side have made a perfect start in their defence of the competition. The Hammers need just a single point in their final group game to reach the knockout stages.
West Ham United U18s: Hooper, Perkins, Scanlon, Fejokwu (59 Jonyla), Leacock ©, Morris (Thomas 70) Dike, Brooks (Unwin 46’ ), Obi (Kerr 70), Beckford, Medine
Subs not used: Ayesta (GK)
Goals: Obi 53, Leacock 74, Dike 90+6
Crystal Palace U18s: Whitworth, Muwana, Fasida, Walker-Smith, Somade, Okoli ©, Oduro (Lamidi 90) , Danaher (Bonsu-Amako 73), Bernard-Ferguson, Bernard (Martin 59) Montjen
Subs not used: Monk (GK), Mason,
Goals: Fasida 33, Montjen 66
Booked: Muwana, Danaher, Bernard-Ferguson