Two first half goals from Craig Bellamy were enough to give United victory over Peterborough United at London Road this evening.
Bellamy made a welcome return to the first XI having been spared the trials of Toronto's plastic pitch against the MLS All Stars. The match also marked the first appearance of Valeron Behrami following his move from Lazio. A notable absentee was Dean Ashton though the striker is expected to return for Friday's trip to Southampton.Hammers took the lead in the 4th minute as Bellamy latched onto a Scott Parker pass and rounded the 'keeper before slotting into an empty net.
The Welsh striker doubled the lead on 42 minutes breaking clear following a long pass from Lucas Neill - who was playing at left back to accommodate Behrami on the right. Bellamy's clever lob left Lewis in the home goal no chance.
The second half remained scoreless as the usual pre-season round of substitutions altered the flow of the game, though Behrami, Cole and Sears all went close in front of a crowd in excess of 5,000.
Next up is a trip to Southampton where the crowd will be bolstered by the better part of 3,000 Hammers for Friday night's friendly at St Mary's. See you there!
West Ham United: Green (Stech 70), Neill (capt), Ferdinand (Collison 86), Upson, Behrami (Widdowson 66), Parker, Faubert, Bellamy (Sears 70), Reid (Stanislas 82), Cole, Noble.
Subs not used: Davenport, Stokes, Mullins.
Peterborough United: Lewis, Martin, Blackett (Westwood 60), Morgan (Charnock 70), Lee (Hyde 66), McLean (Coutts 60), Boyd (Potter 70), Keates (Rendell 60), Mackail-Smith, Whelpdale (Batt 60), Williams.
Subs not used: McKeown.
Attendance: 5,352
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