Masters bid ends in defeat

West Ham United's vets went out of the London Masters at the first stage tonight.

Despite not losing a game, the unlucky Hammers failed to progress to the final by virtue of goal difference.

West Ham opened their campaign with a 3-2 win over Chelsea that came courtesy of goals from Kevin Horlock, Steve Lomas and a last-minute Ian Pearce winner. Chelsea were then beaten 4-3 by QPR in the next Group B fixture.

That result meant that West Ham needed to secure a win against reigning London Masters champions QPR in order to progress to the final - and they were but one minute away from doing just that.

Despite falling 3-1 behind early doors (Gallen (2) and Meaker for QPR, Matt Holland for West Ham) United rallied to pull the game back to 3-3 through goals from John Moncur and Steve Lomas.

With two minutes of play remaining, captain Lomas put the Irons ahead for the first time in the tie with a header - a goal that put West Ham top of the goup again.

However an equaliser for QPR - with little more than 60 seconds left on the clock - earned Rangers a vital point, and one that saw them through to the final on goals scored.

In Group A, unfancied Watford upset the odds to send Arsenal and Tottenham packing. The final was won by the Hornets who beat QPR 3-2.

London Masters 2011: Results

Group A

Arsenal 0 Watford 3
Tottenham 3 Arsenal 2
Watford 2 Tottenham 2

1. Watford 2 5-3 6
2. Tottenham 2 5-4 3
3. Arsenal 2 2-6 0

Group B

Chelsea 2 West Ham Utd 3 (Horlock, Lomas, Pearce)
QPR 4 Chelsea 3
West Ham Utd 4 QPR 4 (Holland, Moncur, Lomas 2)

1. QPR 2 8-7 4
2. West Ham Utd 2 7-6 4
3. Chelsea 2 5-7 0

Final

QPR 2 Watford 3

West Ham United: Squad

Lee Bracey (GK); Ian Pearce; Kenny Brown; Kevin Horlock; Steve Lomas (c); Keith Rowland; Matt Holland; John Moncur.

2011 National Finalists

Rangers (Northern); Liverpool (Merseyside); Leeds (Yorkshire); Aston Villa (Midlands); Watford (London); Central champions to be confirmed.