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The only four players to have any experience of top flight football in the Hammers team were Kitson, Minto, Potts and Grant McCann, although he has only had a handful of appearances.
Trinidad and Tobagan trialist Nigel Pierre started for the Hammers, but Rahim had not got International clearance in time, so he will wait until Tuesday's reserve fixture to feature in claret and blue.
Both teams had chances to score, but Coventry, through Ysrael Zuniga took their chances, whereas West Ham failed to find the back of the net every time.
Zuniga put one past rookie Hammers keeper David Forde either side of half time to secure the victory, but the Irons reserves did have their moments.
Nigel Pierre had a good chance when one-on-one with Hyldgaard, the Coventry keeper, but shot wide. Regarding the penalty incident, after Omer Riza was pulled down, McCann stepped up to take the penalty, but Hyldgaard guessed correctly and diverted it for a corner.
Roger Cross, the reserve team manager, told the official site: "Apart from the two goals I can't remember David having a real save to make - but that game was very unlike how we have been playing all season."
And with regards to the two debutants, he says: "Nigel Pierre tried hard, but without a lot of success - I would not say he played badly. Anton Ferdinand made his reserve team debut and he did quite well."
Coventry Goals: Ysrael Zuniga 25, 48
Coventry City: Hyldgaard, Pead, Guerrero, Ford, Cooney, Eustace (Noon 60), Cook, Fowler, Zuniga, Jephcott (Martinez 71), Normann.
Subs not used: Brancati, Montgomery, Nelson
Booked: Eustace 45, Noon 81