Reserves and youth teams September Round up

Last updated : 04 October 2005 By The Pike
September has been a great month for the reserve and youth teams at West Ham. The Reserves did suffer their second defeat of the season, whilst the Youth squad maintain their unbeaten start to the season.


The reserves are currently sitting 5th in the table. Opening match of September was at home to Southampton. West Ham fielded a very young side. Three goals in the opening 10 minutes decided the game, Tony Stokes hitting the back of the net after just 4 minutes, however 2 goals from Southampton within 6 minutes gave them the lead going into half time. In the second half West Ham threw everything at the saints goal except the kitchen sink in an effort to come back but the Saints held on to take the points.

Result: Lost 1-2

Next up were Ipswich at home. West Ham dominated from start to finish and ran out easy winners with goals from, Tony Stokes, Jeremie Aliadiaire, Petre Mikolando and Christian Dailly in the fist half. West Ham continued to press in the second half with Aliadiaire hitting the bar. Despite a number of opportunities, the lads could not increase the lead. Kyle Reid was marked out for praise on the left hand wing providing both crosses for Aliadiare which resulted in a goal and the second hitting the bar.

Result: Won 4-0

Next up were Coventry away. Kevin Keen fielded a very inexperienced side with Tony Parkes being the only player with first team experience. West Ham were under pressure right from the start, but found themselves one up at half time due to an own goal. Kyle Reid's excellent cross was deflected in by Ben Turner. The second half saw Coventry up the pressure even more, but the West Ham defence was outstanding and kept Coventry at bay. Liam White was singled out as the outstanding player in the West ham back line.

Result: won 0-1

Final match for September was away at Leicester. With a strong team West Ham hoped to do well. The first half was a drab affair with both defences playing well and half time arrived goalless. The second half was as exciting as the first half had been boring. Leicester took the lead on 64 minutes through Ashley Chambers who is just 15! Hogan Ephraim deservedly equalised just 4 minutes later and West Ham went ahead 2 minutes later via substitute Ismael Welsh. West Ham looked a safe bet for three points, but in the dying minutes Leicester got a late equalizier from a free kick.


A decent month for the reserves which see's them currently 5th in the table, although they have played more games than most of the clubs around them.
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For the youth team, September started with an away game at Birmingham. In a fairly quiet first half West Ham battled to hold Birmingham at bay, but the lads found themselves one nil down at half time. West Ham struggled in the second half until Kyle Reid and Hogan Ephraim were introduced. Kyle Reid hit a shot just wide shortly after coming on and then went one better with a screamer! Birmingham cleared the ball to Reid who hit a shot from 25yards out that was still rising when it whistled past the keeper. Reid was unlucky not to have gained a penalty when he appeared to be brought down by a scrummage of Birmingham players.

Result: Draw 1-1

Bristol City at home came next. West Ham quickly took the lead due to a clever goal by Jack Jeffrey. He nearly doubled his total on the quarter hour when narrowly heading over a suberb cross from Kyle Reid. Bristol kept trying and were rewarded with an equaliser shortly before half time. Second half saw Kyle Reid terrorising the Bristol defence sending in excellent crosses that should have seen the Hammers score at least twice within the first few minutes. They were made to pay the price when Bristol went ahead after 71 minutes from a corner. The lads refused to give up and some excellent play by Hogan Ephraim saw Zavon hines net the equaliser. A suberb save by the Bristol keeper from a scorcher from Reid in the dying seconds ensured honours shared.

Result: Draw 2-2


Having drawn their last 4 games The youth team was desperate for success away against Cardiff and they were not dissapointed! West ham dominated from start to finish but chances were rare. Hogan Ephraim scored after 20 minutes, but it was left until the 87th minute for Zavon Hines to get the deserved extra goal.

Result: won 0-2


Final game of September saw West Ham take on old rivals Millwall. How Millwall must wish thaey had stayed at home!! David Cowley cvhipped the keeper on six minutes to open the account. ten minutes later and Ephraim made it two. Millwall did pull one back just before half time. Second half West Ham had a string of chances to increase the lead but the Millwall keeper kept them in it until Ephraim lashed in his second. A Jack Jeffrey effort was disallowed but on 64 minutes Kyle Reid danced into the box and left the keeper no chance. Ishmael Welsh made it 5 after 78 minutes and Zavon Hines rounding things off with Hammers 6th two minutes later. Millwall did snatch a consolation goal in the dying seconds but it was all over.


Overall the West Ham Youth team have had a fantastic start to the season remaining unbeaten!! They sit 4th in the league as we speak having just beaten Arsenal 2-0, but more about that next month!