McCallum back with a bang

Paul McCallum returned to Development Squad action with a bang after he netted in the side's 2-2 draw with Leicester City at Rush Green on Friday night.

The frontman, who recently returned from a loan spell at Sky Bet League Two side Torquay United, took just two minutes to make his mark as he bundled the ball home to give the Hammers the lead.

Elliot Lee doubled the advantage when he stepped up to coolly convert a penalty kick on the stroke of half-time as Nick Haycock's team looked comfortable at the break.

The visitors produced a strong comeback in the second half to deny the Hammers, who stayed top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League, and McCallum felt his team had underperformed.

He told West Ham TV: "I think it was a disappointing performance on our behalf. We came out, we were sloppy and I think we did well to hold out for a 2-2 draw.

"It's always disappointing when you don't win having been 2-0 up at half-time. We knew they were going to bombard us, they had the wind behind them and that's exactly how it turned out with them managing to get a draw."

McCallum returned to the Club recently following a successful loan spell with Torquay, which saw him score three times in five league appearances for the Gulls.

The striker kept up his scoring form at Rush Green with his first goal for the Development Squad this season, but he freely admits it wasn't one of his finest

"It wasn't one of my best goals, I don't really score good goals and that was probably the worst goal I've ever scored.

"I just swung my leg at it and it's gone in but I'm happy. A goal's a goal and it's another one on my record."

The big forward and his teammates have already turned their attentions to Monday when they travel to Ashton Gate to play Bristol City in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Cup.

The Hammers enter at the Round of 32 stage and meet the Robins after they saw off Peterborough United to get this far.

McCallum found out who the Development Squad were playing whilst out on loan and while stating he enjoyed his loan spell, he is looking forward to cup action.

He said: "It was a good place, Torquay, and I enjoyed my time there. Obviously I was suffering a bit with back pains so I had to come back but hopefully I can get myself right and then in January who knows where I'll go.

"I hate to admit it but I did miss a few of the lads. I was away at Torquay when I found out about the fixture but I didn't think I'd be back for it.

"Now that I'm back, it's a big game that will help get us used to a cup scenario but a game which we want to win."