The Hammers enjoyed a successful start to their North American tour with a comfortable 3-1 win over Columbus Crew tonight.
United - playing their first game of a two-match tour which culminates with next week's glamour tie against the MLS AllStars - took the lead at the Columbus Crew Stadium after just six minutes when Dean Ashton fired home after working himself some space on the edge of the penalty box.However that lead was cancelled out just 14 minutes later when Crew's Jason Garey gave Rob Green no chance with a firm header from a Cory Elenio cross.
But it took just six minutes for United to restore the lead, which came courtesy of a Brad Evans blunder. Under pressure from Mark Noble the Crew defender could only direct the ball beyond his own goalkeeper.
The second half began with the first of nine substitutions for United; Carlton Cole replacing goalscorer Dean Ashton. Just eight minutes into the second 45 the Hammers went 3-1 up through winger Kyel Reid.
There were to be no more goals although the remainder of the game was marred somewhat by 17 second-half substitutions, all of which served to end the game as a spectacle. Happy days for the Hammers though, who look forward to Thursday's match in Toronto against David Beckham and co.
* One fan was arrested after fighting broke out in the home end at half-time. Crew fans are understood to have taken umbrage at United fans being placed in their part of the ground.
Match Stats
West Ham United: Green (Walker 76), Neill (c), Ferdinand (N'Gala 84), Davenport (spence 71), Widdowson, Faubert (Stokes 76), Noble (Mullins 57), Parker (Collison 71), Reid (Stanislaus 57), Bellamy (Miller 87), Ashton (Cole 46).
Subs not used: Etherington.
Goals: Ashton (6), Evans (og 26), Reid (53).
Columbus Crew: Gruenebaum, Zayner, Junge (Pierre-Louis 64), Hendrickson (Marshall 64), Peterson, Oughton (Miller 71), Evans (Miglioranzi 71), Elenio (Josten 76), Gaven (Carroll 46), Lenhart (Moreno 64), Garey (Iro 64).
Subs not used: Schoeni.
Goals: Garey (20).
Referee: Ben Chouaf
Attendance: 9,117
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