West Ham reserves got off to a winning start to the campaign on Wednesday, beating an experienced Crystal Palace 1-0.
Roger Cross declared himself satisfied with the overall performance and says:
"Everyone is pleased and we improved in the second half when we passed the ball better.
"It was a tough, competitive game which is what you would expect, though we didn't start well and there was some sloppy defending.
"There were three fine saves from Jimmy Walker - but we need to be tighter at the back and there are lessons to be learnt."
That said, West Ham had a couple of chances when Youssef Sofiane forced a good save and Greg Pearson slipped one under the keeper only to see it cleared off the line.
The winning goal was scored by Moses Ashikodi on 70 minutes from the edge of the box, after captain Adam Nowland set him up.
The Palace side included Messrs. Borrowdale, Powell, Freedman and Black, of whom two played in the playoff final in May.
Team: Walker, McClenahan, Bunce, Nowland, Laws, Blewitt, Wright, Carrick G, Pearson, Ashikodi, Sofiane.
Subs unused: Henry, Reed, Stokes, Allen, White.