Sutton United 0-1 Development Squad
Pre-Season Match
The Development Squad made it two wins on the spin in pre-season after seeing off Skrill South side Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on Wednesday night.
West Ham's youngsters edged a tightly-contested game, with a trialist notching the only goal in a lively start to the second period.
Djair Parfitt-Williams could have given the scoreline a more comfortable look 15 minutes from time, but Tom Lovelock saved his penalty to ensure the visitors would have to work to the end for their victory.
That they did, and the younger players will now head off to the Ruhr Cup in Germany full of confidence.
Fresh from winning the Absolute Sports Travel Cup at Cambridge at the weekend, Nick Haycock's Development Squad returned to taking on senior sides when they travelled to Sutton.
West Ham were able to name Elliot Lee, who notched twice in the victory over Espanyol, Seb Lletget, KIeran Sadlier and Josh Cullen in their line-up, but the team did have a more youthful feel about it than at the weekend, with the likes of Jordan Brown and Josh Pask featuring from the start.
After a quiet opening, it was Sutton who had the first chance of the opening period, when, with 13 minutes on the clock Jessy Reindorf took up a good position to meet Claudiu Hoban's right wing cross, but could only head over the top.
Four minutes later the hosts used the same flank to get pull back to Dylan Bowella, who shot wide of the near post.
At the other end, Lee created a chance for himself when he shifted the ball inside his man in the left channel and clipped an effort just past the far post.
WIth 29 minutes on the clock, Sadlier found space down the left and crossed to the far post where Brown collected, moved back onto his left foot and brought a good low save from home keeper Tom Lovelock.
In truth though, chances were few and far between before the break, although the opening to the second half proved to be far more open.
First Sadlier burst through and brought a fine save from Lovelock with a meatily-struck shot, before play swung to the other end and Bowella miskicked when in front of goal.
He was made to pay almost immediately as, with 50 minutes played, Brown crossed low from the right wing and the trialist was there to finish neatly.
Both sides made a raft of changes as the second period went on and two of the Hammers subs, Jahmal Hector-Ingram and Parfitt-Williams, combined to good effect on 73 minutes when the former cut back for the latter, who fired inches over.
Two minutes later the pair were involved again, Hector-Ingram running at, and drawing a foul from, Max Kontic inside the area.
Referee Mike Coen pointed straight to the spot, but Parfitt-Williams could not take advantage as Lovelock dived to the left to parry away to safety.
However, the youngster's miss would not cost the Dev Squad victory as they maintained their unbeaten start to pre-season.
Development Squad: St Louis-Hamilton; Westley (Amoo 58), Burke (Harney 46), Pask (Onariase 58), Knoyle (Akinola 58); Cullen (M.Carter 58), Lletget (Diangana 58); Brown (Rodriguez 65), Trialist (Hector-Ingram 72), Sadlier (Parfitt-Williams 58); Lee (Maiga 58)
Goal: Trialist 50