West Ham United's Development squad beat a tough Brentford side 2-0 at Griffin Park on Tuesday afternoon.
Two first-half goals from Ravel Morrison saw off Brentford in what was a competitive and challenging match that saw chances at both ends. The hosts started the match the brighter with striker Antonio German volleying against the bar inside the first 60 seconds, but it didn't take long for West Ham to find their feet.
The first goal of the afternoon came after only four minutes as the fit-again Rob Hall went on a mazy run from inside his own half before slipping a great ball through to Morrison. The midfielder's first effort was blocked by Richard Lee in the Brentford goal before he collected the rebound and slotted into an empty net.
The second after 25 minutes was all Morrison's own work. Callum Driver won the ball in the middle and switched it to Morrison who beat centre-back Aaron Pierre with a great piece of skill before striking a powerful 20-yard right-footed drive past the stranded Lee.
At times in the first half, West Ham's passing play was a joy to watch and they could have had more than two goals with Cristian Montano, making his first start since returning from his loan spell at Notts County, and Seb Lletget both forcing saves. The Bees came out for the second half determined to fight their way back into the match and Emmanuel Oyeleke and Jake Reeves both forced Sam Baxter into making stops.
However, the Hammers held on to what was a deserved victory with Development Squad manager Ian Hendon praising his side's application.
He said: "It was a good all-round team performance. We played very well in the first half and scored two good goals. We fell off the pace a bit at the start of the second, but re-focused and saw out a good win."
West Ham United: Baxter, Driver, Wearen, K.Lee (Young, 29), Potts, Ruddock, Lletget, Hall (Powell 78), Montano, Morrison (Fanimo, 78) Vose (Turgott, 66)
Subs not used: Hurley
Goals: Morrison (4), (23)
Brentford: Lee (Gounet, 46), Griffiths, Osbourne, Pierre (Mawson, 65), Woodman, Forrester, Oyeleke, Reeves (Asamuah, 75), Blake (Kamau, 83), Weston (Ekim, 8)
Subs not used: Stone