West Ham United reserves are looking for a fourth straight victory this evening as they make the short trip to face Tottenham Hotspur.
The 7pm match, to be played at Leyton Orient, could see Bobby Zamora get his third official run-out for Kevin Keen's side as he bids to return fully from a persistent knee problem that has kept him out of first-team contention since 28 August. Zamora was a key figure in the second string's last two successes, a 4-1 win against Birmingham City and last week's 2-0 victory over Fulham.
While much of the focus will naturally be on Zamora, if selected, Keen has high hopes for another strong showing from a side that should feature young hopefuls like Jordan Spence, Bondz 'Gala, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Junior Stanislas and Freddie Sears. "There is a real good team ethic," Keen said. "That is one of the things that has pleased me most with the reserves this year."
That togetherness has seen the team have every chance of a high finish in the southern section of the Barclays Premier Reserve League. The club are in third place level on 22 points with Reading and four points behind leaders Aston Villa - although have played two games more than both. That said, Reading go to Villa this evening and still have to travel to play at West Ham United.
Keen said: "It is the first time for a few years that we have had a decent run and hopefully we can finish nearer the top rather than nearer the bottom. There is a good nucleus core of young players that want to do well. They have got ability and they have got the right strength of mind to do well as a team.
"Everyone knows winning is not everything in Academy and reserve-team football. But as they come through the Academy and they get to the reserve team, it means more. You have got to prepare them for that first-team environment where millions of pounds are resting on it. Winning becomes a little bit more important."
Admission tonight is £5 for adults, £3 for concessions.
League table I Fixtures and results
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