Youngsters Lose

Tony Carr admits that his under-19 side were deservedly beaten against Birmingham City on Saturday - while Peter Brabrook insists his under-17s were unlucky.

"It was a poor performance and we were second best all day; that's all there is to say, really," explains Tony of the 3-1 loss at Birmingham, in which Glen Johnson scored the Hammers consolation.

Peter, meanwhile, is more upbeat, and says of his side's 1-0 home reverse: "We started lazily but should have got something from the game. Carrick might have scored and in fact we had two or three good chances.

"Their goalkeeper made some great saves as well."

Under-17s team: Sealey, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Lumsden, McLenahan, Akinsete, Tucker (Cohen), Carrick, Cole, Pearson, Morris, (Bunce) (Parrington). Subs unused: Read, Bluett.

Under-19s team: B.McMahon, Khan, Tattum, Laurie, Cleaver (Ward 85), Smith, Johnson, Cascione, Eastwood (Metitri 77), Allen, Tobolewski (Ritchie 45).