Development squad: West Ham Utd 0-2 Fulham

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 26th October 2015

West Ham United's development squad continued their poor start to the 2015/16 season with defeat at the hands of Championship side Fulham.

Terry Westley's side - with just one win from their opening seven outings prior to this evening's clash - were comfortably beaten by the Cottagers on a miserable night at the Boleyn, thanks to a goal either side of the break.



Fulham coach Peter Grant, assistant to Alan Pardew at West Ham from 2004-2006


Fulham - managed by Alan Pardew's former number two at West Ham, Peter Grant - opened the scoring ten minutes ahead of the half time interval via an impressive 30-yard free kick from Jordan Evans.

And whilst it was a well-struck effort from the left-footed full-back Hammers 'keeper Raphael Spiegel will no doubt be disappointed at failing to make contact, as the ball dipped over his head rather than finding either corner.

West Ham, for whom goalscoring opportunities were at a premium on the night fell two goals behind just eight minutes after the restart despite having begun the second half the brighter of the two teams.



Downbeat: it was a disappointing night for Lewis Page and his team mates


Indecision in the West Ham defence allowed Republic of Ireland youth international Dean O'Halloran to surge into the box and place a shot across Spiegel into the far corner, despite the best efforts of West Ham's stopper.

The only real bright spark on a miserable night for the Hammers was Norwegian midfielder Martin Samuelsen, who was a real livewire for Westley's side throughout the game.

The match was watched from the dugout by first team captain Mark Noble and teenage prodigy Reece Oxford, both of whom spent time signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans.



Club captain Mark Noble was present to show his support for the youngsters


West Ham Utd: Spiegel, O'Brien (Pike 61), Page, Dobson, Knoyle, Akinola, Parfitt-Williams (Nasha 61), Cullen (c), Browne, Samuelsen, Diangana (Makasi 61).

Subs not used: Howes, Hendrie.

Fulham: Rodak, Sheckleford, Evans, Smile, Hutchinson, Elworthy, O'Halloran, Hyndman, Thorsteinsson (Humphrys 61), Kait (Adeniran 67), Williams

Subs not used: Dawber, Soler, Redford.

Goals: Evans (34), O'Halloran (53).

Referee: Daniel Leach.

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