Nick Haycock has praised his Under-18 squad for ending a memorable week by securing a 2-2 FA Premier Academy League draw at Charlton Athletic.
The Academy coach made five changes to the side that scored a fantastic 3-2 FA Youth Cup third-round win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening, handing a debut to new signing Pelly Ruddock and starts to full-backs Josh Siafa and Frazer Shaw and midfielders Dominic Vose and Kieran Sadlier.
Ruddock played his part on his first competitive appearance in claret and blue, knocking the ball down from a corner for schoolboy substitute Nana Boakye Yiadom to net a deserved equaliser midway through the second half.
Earlier, Blair Turgott (pictured) had put West Ham into an early lead before Charlton hit back to equalise after 20 minutes. The Hammers then had an Elliot Lee 'goal' disallowed before hitting a post before the break. The second half saw the Addicks go ahead from a free-kick before Boakye Yiadom's dramatic intervention courtesy of his first goal at U18 level.
After a week that saw his squad contest three matches, Haycock was proud of his players' efforts.
"We should have won the game, to be honest, because we were the better team," said the coach. "I am disappointed for the players, but we had a hard game in the week at Wolves and I made five changes to the starting lineup.
"To be fair, we produced another good performance and mixed our playing style up well, which is something we've been working on in training. We had chances to win it near the end, especially when Dominic Vose broke down the left and cut the ball back, but there was nobody there to put the ball in the net.
"After the tough week we've had, I was pleased because the whole squad has contributed and everybody has played their part. The league table is still very congested and we have gained a point away from home, so I can't be displeased with that.
"Josh and Frazer came in and did a good job at full-back, while Leo Chambers and Kenzer Lee again looked commanding at the heart of the defence. Pelly and Jack Powell combined well, too, so there were plenty of reasons for me to be pleased with our performance."
West Ham United U18s: Cowler, Siafa, Shaw, Chambers, K.Lee, Ruddock, Powell, Sadlier (Boakye Yiadom 65), Vose, Turgott, E.Lee (Fanimo 70)