West Ham United Development Squad manager Nick Haycock was delighted with his side's first win of the season as they beat a strong Sunderland team 2-0 at the Boleyn Ground.
Two second half goals for striker Elliot Lee was enough to see the Hammers take all three points.
Haycock fielded a side mixed of first team players such as Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis, through to emerging youngsters such as Reece Oxford and Kyle Knoyle.
Speaking after the game, Haycock said: "I'm pleased. I've not been disappointed with many of the games. We've had a few 20 minute poor patches here and there but that's what you expect when you use young players.
"Tonight we had two U18 players in the back line. We talk about playing players above their age level and we did that."
Another positive from Monday night's game was securing the Dev Squad's first clean sheet of the season: "We said to Raphael we need more from him in terms of commanding the back four and I thought he did that. He deserved his clean sheet. Nothing's perfect, there are still a few things we can work on but we were much more resilient."
Keeping the clean sheet was even more impressive considering they faced a Sunderland side with Duncan Watmore up front. The highly rated player was a constant thorn in the Hammers' side as he carved a number of opportunities for himself and his teammates.
"Sunderland changed their formation slightly, we thought they would play Watmore wide right. But with a couple of injuries they played him upfront.
"He proved a real good test against Reece's Burke and Oxford and as the game wore on they handled him better."
Speaking about the positive role club captain Kevin Nolan has had on the Dev Squad, Haycock said: "Kevin has been excellent with the younger boys ever since he came to the Club. He's a top guy, I get on with him off the pitch. When he's in the changing room it's like having an assistant manager with you.
"He came back from Manchester United on Saturday annoyed that his goal didn't stand but he was in at 8.45 Sunday morning training with us to make sure we put in a performance. He was very, very good at talking to the boys out there, which is something we sometimes lack. We need a leader at times and have a go at someone if they're not doing the task they've been asked to do."
After a short goalless spell at the start of the season, Lee's brace took his personal tally to three goals in two games. Haycock praised his striker's attitude: "He was a bit disappointed at half time. He's had a season where deep down he knows he could have scored more goals. But he'll never give up running in the right areas. The first goal was a poacher's finish off a good corner from Matt Jarvis.
"For Elliot's second it was a good calm finish. In the other games so far they've been the ones shaving post or going narrowly wide. The most important thing was his overall performance. His hold up play excellent, he took some knocks and moved the centre half's around well."
Due to the International break, the Development Squad's next game is not until 24 October when they host Manchester United at Rush Green.