Four young men have denied stabbing a promising young footballer to death and trying to kill his two friends.

Godwin Lawson, 17, and two others were knifed in Amhurst Park, Hackney, east London, on March 27 this year.

The teenager, who attended the Oxford United Football and Education Academy and dreamed of playing for Manchester United, was attacked at 1.50am.

Moise Avorgah, 19, Daniel Riley, 22, Koffi Osimeh, 19, and Matthew Lanihun, 20, are charged with his murder.

They are also accused of the attempted murder of Godwin's two friends, aged 18 and 20, during the same incident.

All four appeared yesterday at the Old Bailey by video link from prison.

Each denied one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

They are set to face trial for January 4 next year Avorgah, of St Ann's Road, Tottenham, north London; Riley, of Caledonian Road, Holloway, north London; Lanihun, of Megan Court, Holloway; and Osimeh, of Heron Drive, Finsbury Park, were all remanded in custody.