A youthful West Ham United U18s side produced a brilliant performance to draw 1-1 away at Southern League Premier Division team Bishop’s Stortford.
A squad largely comprising of trialists and schoolboys competed from start to finish against the senior Essex side and U18s assistant boss Mark Phillips thought his team could have easily won the match.
“When you look at the make up of our squad, we did very well to control the game and have the lion’s share of possession,” he said.
“It was great to have this sort of test in our first game back. Hopefully on Wednesday (in the second friendly against Charlton Athletic U18s), we’ll have a few more players back so we can see how the other boys are looking.”
The Hammers had the better of the first half and seized on their dominance at the beginning of the second 45. One of their trialists did brilliantly to lob the Blues keeper from the edge of the box to give the visitors the advantage.
However, the hosts got their equaliser late in the second half when Darren Foxley converted Jordan Palmer’s centre.
The opening match of the U18s pre-season schedule provided a unique test for the youngsters and they are back in action on Wednesday away to Charlton Athletic U18s (2pm kick-off).
West Ham U18s: Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Caiger, Mingi, Dalipi, Rosa, Hamilton (c), Constantinou, E.Longelo, Adarkwa.
Subs: Chesters, Forson.
Goals: Trialist.