John Carew, George McCartney and Pablo Barrera all drew praise from development squad coach Ian Hendon for their contributions to Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Colchester United.
An experienced West Ham United XI containing the three full internationals - as well as Ruud Boffin, Julien Faubert, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears and Frederic Piquionne - travelled to Maldon & Tiptree FC for a keenly-contested fixture against the U's.
While the Hammers did not register a victory, there were plenty of positives to be taken from a valuable workout by Hendon and his players.
"I spoke to Richard Hall, their manager, and he told me they would have quite a strong side out with a lot of players who are in and around their first-team squad but that have not had too many games," said the coach.
"As it turned out, we were strong too, so it was a good workout."
Carew and McCartney completed 60 and 75 minutes respectively, with both showing the levels of ability and fitness that will make them assets to Sam Allardyce in the npower Championship this season.
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"George sat in there at left-back and did a good job with no thrills or spills. He's a sound defender so he was good from that point of view."Big John up top you could see what he was all about. He either gets hold of it or helps it on and he's a big presence up there. That's probably his first hour in the whole of pre-season, so it was a good start for him."
Barrera, too, caught the eye by scoring both of West Ham's goals. The first saw him control before slamming a low right-foot shot into the corner, while the second was a smartly-taken left-foot strike from 12 yards.
"I thought Pablo was outstanding in spells. He gets the ball, moves it and moves defenders and scored two good goals - one with each foot - and he's a quality player."
For Hendon, whose promising youngsters have been busy during the pre-season, there was also the welcome opportunity to take another look at the likes of young professionals Callum McNaughton, Sergio Sanchez, George Moncur, Eoin Wearen and Robert Hall.
The Academy graduates all made their mark as West Ham finished the game strongly, and the coach believes the experience of playing alongside full internationals can only bode well for the future.
"This game was set up for the development squad, but if the first-team boys need minutes then they take preference and they come in, which might be a little bit unfair but that's football and that's the way it is.
"My lads themselves have to take it on the chin and get on with it and, when they get the opportunity, come in and show what they're all about.
"In the second half, they came on and livened it up a bit. They went after the ball and did OK, so on the whole it was a good workout, no injuries, a competitive game and we got some minutes for the first-team boys and a good experience for my lads mixing in with them."