STOKE CITY U21 v DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
BARCLAYS U21 PREMIER LEAGUE
BRITANNIA STADIUM
SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 3PM
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Full-time: That's it! Nick Haycock's team have secured a brilliant away victory courtesy of Moncur's strike after 15 minutes. The Hammers had a host of good chances with Lletget, Tombides and Shaw all going close but in the end one goal was all they needed to leave the Britannia Stadium with three points.
90 mins: Lletget nearly seals it as we move into stoppage time. A powerful header produces a good save from Bachmann.
89 mins: Another corner, it's taken short to Fanimo before eventually the ball makes it's way to Tombides who nearly wraps the game up but places his shot just over.
87 mins: Henderson does well to control a bouncing back pass before calmly passing the ball back to Ruddock who clears.
85 mins: Stoke are losing their discipline as they make a couple of dirty challenges the last of which leaves Moncur in pain on the floor. He's ok to continue and takes the free-kick which finds a leaping Tombides who's header is tipped over the bar.
83 mins: Yet another corner as Fanimo trots across to take it. His ball in doesn't clear the first man however and the attack comes to nothing.
81 mins: Turgott nearly gets the goal his performance deserves but his powerful effort is deflected onto the post behind the goal. The resulting corner is then easily cleared away.
80 mins: Just ten minutes left for the Hammers to hold out and secure what would be an excellent away win.
78 mins: Turgott clips the bar but once again he's strayed just to far and is caught offside. A second goal would be lovely to calm any nerves right about now.
76 mins: just over ten minutes to go in this one and, touch wood, West Ham are looking good value for their lead with their goal under little or no threat in this second half.
74 mins: Fanimo has a shot charged down on the edge of the box and it ricochets to Alabi who surges forward before finding Rossi who drags his shot wide after a jinking run.
72 mins: Moncur is booked after he chips the ball into the net after the linesman flagged for offside, harsh, very harsh.
71 mins: Shea is having no joy against Ruddock today with the imperious defender too strong and quick for the American.
70 mins: Moncur is working his socks off in midfield as Stoke have a period of possession before the centre-back lumps it cross field and out of play.
68 mins: Ironic cheers from the home support as the referee awards them a free-kick, their cheers are short lived however as the free-kick comes to nothing.
66 mins: Stoke make their first change, replacing Thomas with Rossi.
64 mins: Fanimo is straight into the action, crossing the ball after good link-up play with Turgott. His cross is cut-out before it reaches the awaiting Tombides.
63 mins: Sadlier is replaced with Matthias Fanimo who makes his second appearance of the season after his recent return from injury.
61 mins: Sadlier jinks his way into the box leaving a defender bamboozled on his back side before chipping it to Moncur who has time to size up a volley before striking it into the ground and off target.
59 mins: A rare moment of attacking promise sees Thomas fire a shot at goal but Henderson deals with it.
58 mins: Turgott skins his man once more and stands up a cross to the back post which is met by Sadlier, the ball rebounds to Turgott but his shot is blocked.
56 mins: Driver links up well with Turgott as he swings a cross in which is lacking in any power and easily cleared.
54 mins: Stoke are really struggling to find any rythm going forward at the moment with over-hit crosses the best they can muster right now.
52 mins: Turgott is again causing problems this time firing in a low cross across the face of goal which is cleared by a lunging defender.
51 mins: Alabi has the home side's first shot of the second half as he looks to place an effort beyond Henderson but only succeeds in picking out the keeper.
49 mins: Another corner for the Hammers and this time Moncur's ball in finds Potts just a couple of yards from goal but he can only fire his effort staright at the keeper. That was a glorious chance to make the lead a lot more comfortable.
48 mins: Moncur whips in another corner but it's easilt cleared by Grant.
47 mins: Potts has slotted into the centre of defence alongside Ruddock with Shaw occupying the left and Driver on the right.
46 mins: We're underway for the second half as the Hammers look to hold onto their one goal lead. Dan Potts has also emerged in his kit for the next 45 minutes replacing Chambers in defence.
Half-time: The referee brings an entertaining first half to an end at the Britannia Stadium with West Ham ahead and looking good so far. George Moncur netted his third goal in as many games after turning home a cross from the impressive Blair Turgott who has run his marker ragged. The Hammers should lead by more having hit the post twice through a Dylan Tombides shot and then a deflected Frazer Shaw effort. As things stand Nick Haycock will be delighted with his team's performance and will ask for more of the same after the interval.
45 mins: Turgott wins a corner, Moncur takes but finds only the gloves of the keeper who launches a long throw down field but Chambers is there ready and waiting to deal with the ball.
43 mins: Stoke are resorting to long balls now as they struggle to find any chink in the West Ham armour.
41 mins: The gloves are off! For Henderson that is, but it looks as though he'll be able to continue through to half-time after recieving treatment.
40 mins: Henderson is called into action as Shea shoots from a few yards out but the Irishman is able to smother the ball and collect his parried save. He has however stayed down with what looks like a hand injury
39 mins: The return of Sebastien Lletget in West Ham's midfield has provided the side with even more attacking threat and up to this point they are controlling the game.
37 mins: The standard of the crossing has so far been superb from the Hammers today with Shaw the latest man to whip in an inviting ball which is just to high for Sadlier to reach.
36 mins: Turgott nearly nicks the ball as Stoke again play themselves into trouble, the defender is able to recover though and launches the ball forward.
35 mins: The game is in full swing as both sides release the shackles and look to attack at every opportunity.
33 mins: Lletget is denied by a fine save after a header from Sadlier's delicious cross. Stoke break and the visitors have Henderson to thank as he keeps out a powerful effort from Waring.
32 mins: Post! Shaw hits an absolute piledriver and it deflects off a defender and cannons into the post!
30 mins: Ruddock goes down holding his leg and this break in play sees 19 players head to the touchline for a beverage break.
28 mins: A couple of great defensive blocks from first Ruddock and then Driver preserves the Hammers lead with shots from Shea and Waring threatening Henderson's goal.
26 mins: The corner is taken short by Moncur who plays a one-two with Whitehead before crossing but he's unables to pick out a man in claret and blue.
25 mins: Stoke's youngsters are clearly following the first team as they seek to play out from defence. A risky strategy and one which is nearly capitalised upon after a mix-up between defenders sees them concede a corner.
23 mins: The Hammers are ahead and looking good so far after a shaky start. Turgott has been particularly impressive and is causing Stoke's full-backs no end of trouble on the right-hand side.
21 mins: Tombides has another chance but his glancing header from a Moncur corner is cleared off the line by Wheeler.
20 mins: Tombides nearly makes it 2-0 with a chance which was identical to the one Moncur finished to put the Hammers in front. The striker however can only fire his effort at the post and is unable to reach the rebound as Stoke clear.
17 mins: The referee waves away a penalty appeal from the home side as the winger takes a tumble after a light shove.
15 mins: GOAL! West Ham are ahead with their first shot on goal! Excellent work on the wing by Turgott sees him beat two defenders before pulling the ball back for Moncur to fire home.
14 mins: Turgott wins a free-kick on the halfway line. Driver takes but his lofted ball is easily cleared away.
12 mins: The home side are starting to hit their stride with some easy on the eye passing but as yet unable to find a decent final ball.
10 mins: A let-off for the Hammers as Waring prods the ball over Henderson after a slick team move, but much to his disgust his shot bounces inches wide of the post.
8 mins: A lovely through ball from Lletget has Turgott sprinting on to the end of it but just before he can reach the ball the on rushing keeper slides to gather the ball.
7 mins: The Hammers back four are running towards their own goal following a ball over the top but Shaw is on hand to clear the danger.
6 mins: Shaw launches a diagonal ball towards Turgott but it's easy pickings for the Stoke keeper who collects with ease.
4 mins: The right hand side looks like it may prove profitable for the Hammers today, with the lively Turgott keen to make a good impact.
3 mins: Turgott swings a cross in from the right but Sadlier's control lets him down and the ball runs out of play.
1 min: We're underway at the Britannia with Stoke kicking us off.
The Development Squad travel north to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke, looking to extend their good start to the Barclay Under-21 Premier League season. Nick Haycock's side are without frontman Elliot Lee who is involved with the first team's match at the Boleyn Ground against Everton. The striker has five goals so far this season and the Under-21s will be looking to the talented Dylan Tombides to fill the void left by Lee.
A 1-1 draw last time out against Manchester City meant the Hammers had picked up three wins, a draw and just one defeat from their opening five fixtures of the campaign. Stephen Henderson starts in goal for the young Hammers having last featured in the 5-4 victory away at Newcastle where the team rallied from 3-0 down to secure an amazing win. There is also a return to Development Squad action following injury for Dan Potts who takes a place on the bench for today's game.
West Ham United: Henderson, Driver, Shaw, Chambers, Ruddock, Turgott, Moncur, Lletgtet, Tombides, Whitehead, Sadlier
Subs: Fanimo, Nemrava, Maguire, Potts, Miles.
Stoke: Bachmann, Wheeler, Gomez, Edu, Grant, Keane, Thomas, Ness, Waring, Alabi, Shea.
Subs: Watkins, Eve, Ward, Heneghan, Rossi.