Hall on song

Rob Hall's early strike was enough to earn Ian Hendon's Development Squad a point from their weekend trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Hall, who in one of several youngsters on the verge of the first team squad struck on eight minutes to cancel out Yassine El Ghanassy's fifth minute opener for the home side.

And recent signing Raphael Spiegel was also on form, making what have been described as "a number of first-class saves" to ensure United grabbed a share of the spoils.

The on-loan El Ghanassy put the Baggies ahead with a well-taken strike into the bottom left hand corner after running unchallenged from inside his own half.

But Hall notched the equaliser with an equally stunning effort as his 25-yard free kick found the back of the net.

The young Hammers have now taken seven points from their opening four fixtures in Group 1 of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League leaving them in third spot behind leaders Arsenal - who have a 100 per cent record so far and a game in hand - and Reading, also on seven points.

West Ham Utd: Spiegel; Driver (c), Moncur, Chambers, Fanimo; Spence, Turgott, Lletget, Hall; McCallum, Lee (Ruddock 76).

Subs not used: Hunt, Rosique, Wearen, Powell.

West Bromwich Albion: L Daniels; Hurst, D Daniels, Tamas, Gayle; Thorne (c), Mantom; Sawyers (Allan 68), El Ghanassy (Nabi 82), Rosenberg (Roofe 76); Berahino.

Subs not used: Lewis, O’Neil.

Referee: S.Garrett


Also in action over the weekend against West Bromwich Albion were Nick Haycock's under 18's, who grabbed their second win of the campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 victory on Saturday.

Goals from Kieran Sadlier (2), Nathan Mavila and substitute Taylor Miles gave the young Hammers three more Barclays U18 Premier League Group 1 points, taking their tally to seven from four games - the same as both the development squad and first team.

"It could have been more than four-nil," manager Haycock told whufc.com. "It was a good all-round display from the boys. We have raised the bar with this performance and set our standards for the season ahead."

West Ham rise to third in the Group 1 table behind leaders Bolton (10 points) and Reading (8 points).

West Ham Utd: Larkins, Siafa (Girdlestone 65), Shaw, Onnariase, Nasha, Cullen, Bywater, T.Tombides (Homans 70), Mavila, Sadlier (Miles 75), Boakye-Yiadom.


Coming Next...

Under 21s: Friday, 21st September (7.00pm) - Arsenal (h)
Under 18s: Saturday, 22nd September (tbc) - Arsenal (a)