West Ham Utd v Crewe: half time report

Nicky Maynard's strike is the difference between the two sides at half time in tonight's Capital One Cup clash between West Ham and Crewe.

Sam Allardyce's side, featuring several changes to the team that were well beaten at Swansea at the weekend have been good value for their slender lead - so much so that the only disappointment is that the advantage is just one goal.

That goal arrived with 35 minutes on the clock and was a well worked move between tonight's front three of Modibo Maiga, Ricardo Vaz Te and former Alex player Nicky Maynard. New boy Maiga and Vaz Te conbined well before setting up Maynard who finished with some aplomb into the bottom corner.

Portuguese forward Vaz Te has been one of the most lively players so far and fashioned several chances for himself in the opening 45 minutes but was unable to open his account for the season.

Elsewhere opportunities to impress have been handed to the likes of Stephen Henderson, Danny Potts and Jordan Spence, all of whom started tonight's game.

We'll have more for you at the final whistle...

West Ham Utd: Henderson, O'Brien, Spence, Diarra, Potts, Taylor, O'Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Maiga, Maynard.

Subs: Spiegel, Driver, Demel, Moncur, Fanimo, Hall, McCallum.

Crewe Alexandra: Martin, Davis, Ellis, Bunn, Robertson, Mellor, Westwood, Murphy, Moore, Leitch-Smith, M.Clayton.

Subs: Garratt, Dugdale, Turton, Guthrie, Ray, Osman, Daniels.