HAMMERS Reserves have drawn 1-1 with Leicester City at Dagenham and
Redbridge, Luke Chadwick's goal being cancelled out by Stefan
Moore's equaliser.
Kevin Keen's team played against ten men for 55 minutes after
the visitors had Jordan Stewart sent off, but the Foxes boasted a
far more experienced side, which included former internationals
Scot Gemmill and Jason Wilcox.
Leicester started the brighter of the two sides, but it was Hammers
that went close early on. Danny Bunce with a swirling cross from
the left that dipped just over Lars Hirschfeld's crossbar.
Three minutes later Luke Chadwick wriggled to the by-line and cut
the ball back for Hogan Ephraim, but he could only poke the ball
wide under pressure from the Foxes defence.
On ten minutes Chris O'Grady had the visitors' first real
chance, latching onto Levi Porter's pass but spooning his shot
well wide. Then, ten minutes later, a thumping left foot free-kick
from Alan Sheehan had Dusan Kuciak hanging on for dear life at his
near post.
With the half hour mark fast approaching it was still impossible to
separate the two sides.
Former Scotland international Scot Gemmill had a volley for
Leicester from the edge of the area that flew just wide of
Kuciak's left-hand post, just before Tony Stokes saw West
Ham's best chance of the first-half go begging.
A fine piece of close control from Moses Ashikodi put the young
midfielder through on goal, but Hirschfeld narrowed the angle and
made a very good save.
Leicester were denied by the woodwork on 32 minutes, Stephen
Dawson's skidding 20 yard drive cannoning back off the post
with Kuciak beaten, shortly before their grip on the game was
loosened by a shock red-card.
Luke Chadwick and Jordan Stewart chased a long ball and as they
tussled for the upper-hand, referee Phillips ruled that Stewart had
pulled the winger back. It took a long time for the resulting
dismissal, but the Leicester midfielder was eventually given his
marching orders on 35 minutes.
West Ham could not make the advantage count though as the
first-half ended 0-0.
HT: 0-0
Hammers made the brighter start to the second-half, and four
minutes in fashioned a great chance to take the lead. Ashikodi
powered his way to the by-line and crossed for Hogan Ephraim, but
he shot straight at the goalkeeper from point blank range.
Three minutes later West Ham converted their numerical advantage
with the best move of the game. Gavin Williams played a one-two
with Ashikodi before releasing Bunce down the left and he crossed
to give Luke Chadwick a tap-in at the far post.
A goal and a man ahead, Hammers began to dictate the play. Kyel
Reid replaced Sam Wright after an hour, with Williams moving inside
to centre-midfield, before Greg Pearson came on for Ashikodi.
The pace of the game slowed as the second-half wore on, but Hammers
were no less determined. At the back, the young centre-back pairing
of captain Chris Cohen and debutant James Tomkins coped admirably
as Leicester began to hurl crosses into the Hammers penalty area.
But the Foxes pressure eventually told when, with 12 remaining,
Leicester equalised. Dawson crossed from the right and striker
Stefan Moore, on loan from Aston Villa, brought the ball down well
before firing past Kuciak to make it 1-1.
Neither side looked like finding a winning goal in the final ten
minutes, Tony Stokes' low shot their best chance, but it was a
comfortable save for Lars Hirschfeld.
For Leicester Moore had a shot blocked by Tomkins late on as the
game ended 1-1.
WHU: Kuciak; Henry, Bunce, Cohen, Tomkins, Wright (Reid 61),
Williams, Chadwick, Stokes, Ashikodi (Pearson 68), Ephraim. Subs
unused: Reed (GK), Cowley, Andrews.