West Ham United U18s continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-2 defeat away at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday afternoon.
The Hammers took the lead at the Addicks' training ground in the opening few minutes after a lovely team move resulted in Malyk Hamilton guiding home.
Charlton responded midway through the first half from the penalty spot before the Hammers seized the advantage once again through substitute Rosaire Longelo.
However, the home side struck twice in the final 20 minutes to take the spoils in another good run-out for Steve Potts and Mark Phillips’ squad.
After having to field a number of trialists in the draw with Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, the management duo welcomed back a host of regular faces for the trip to south London, including a handful of players who featured for the U23s in their defeat to Colchester United on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers started the match on the front foot and took the lead inside the opening ten minutes after a flowing team move. Sam Caiger set Jeremy Ngakia free down the right hand side and the No7 cut the ball back brilliantly for Hamilton to guide the ball into the bottom corner.
However, Charlton rallied and responded 20 minutes later. A swift attack ended in Jay Mingi being penalised for a tackle in the penalty area. Charlton took full advantage and scored the spot kick.
The young Addicks took confidence from the equaliser and started the second half the better of the two sides, going close on two occasions.
Potts and Phillips brought on a number of fresh faces around the hour mark and one of their substitutions made a key difference. On his comeback from a long-term injury, Longelo stabbed home from close-range as the visitors retook the lead.
Charlton fought back again with 15 minutes to play and managed to bundle home a deep free-kick to make it 2-2.
And the Addicks snatched the victory with just minutes to play when Tyler Forde was beaten by a low effort.
Nonetheless, it was another much-needed run out for the U18s who turn their attention to their first home friendly against Crystal Palace at Little Heath on Saturday.
West Ham United U18s: Forde, Caiger, Mingi, Wells (c), Hannam; Belic, Rosa; Ngakia, Henry, Hamilton, E.Longelo
Subs used: Mbeta, El Mhassani, Okotcha, Forson, Dalipi, R.Longelo, Adarkwa, Spyridis