GOALS from Youssef Sofiane and Malky Mackay inspired a magnificent second-half comeback for West Ham United Reserves as they drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park.
Kevin Keen's most experienced Reserve team of the season included first-team stars Hayden Mullins, Rufus Brevett, Nigel Reo-Coker and Mackay, as well as new signing Gavin Williams and goalkeeper Robert Burch, who is on a month's loan from Spurs.
But it was the visitors who had the first chance of the match when the ball dropped to the elaborately named Edson Silva Sousa ten yards out. His finish was less elaborate, however, as he blasted over with only Burch to beat.
The Hammers could not be faulted for their effort in the opening exchanges, but struggled to fashion any clear-cut goalscoring chances. New boy Gavin Williams sent a free-kick high over the bar, before Dean Marney went significantly closer for Spurs crashing his own 25-yard set-piece against the Hammers crossbar.
Unfortunately for Kevin Keen's men it was a sign of things to come. Six minutes later Mark Yeates cut in from the left and curled a fabulous effort past Burch to put Spurs ahead.
Yeates tested Burch again five minutes later, his free-kick deflecting off the West Ham wall before finding its way through to the Hammers goalkeeper. With the home side struggling to find their rhythm, Spurs went further ahead just before half-time. Yeates' through-ball released Jamie Slabber who scored with a cool finish to send Kevin Keen's men in 2-0 down at the break.
The second-half began with Trent McClenahan replacing Nigel Reo-Coker and Hayden Mullins switching to midfield. The change injected some more verve into the Hammers attack, but a Spurs defence marshalled excellently by the experienced Dean Richards and former Hammers loan player Calum Davenport, held firm.
That was until Kevin Keen introduced Youssef Sofiane on 70 minutes. The lively young Frenchman did well to play Gavin Williams in, who wriggled into the penalty area before being brought down by Dean Marney. Sofiane stepped up to convert the penalty himself and suddenly West Ham were back in the game.
Their confidence lifted, it took Kevin Keen's side just another five minutes to find an equaliser. Kyel Reid swung a cross to the back post where veteran Malky Mackay, making his first start for more than a month after of a calf injury, rose to head home.
Mackay, his lack of match practice beginning to tell, left the field to a warm ovation soon afterwards and was replaced by Darren Blewitt. The game opened up in the final five minutes as both sides pushed on in search of a winner to settle this fiery London derby clash.
On 86 minutes it looked as though Spurs might do just that when the referee awarded a penalty against a grounded Gavin Williams for handball. It was Jamie Slabber that stepped up to face his good friend Burch and the Hammers 'keeper won the duel with a smart save down low to his left.
Youssef Sofiane forced a smart block from Marton Fulop late on, but the draw was a fair result and just reward for Kevin Keen's men who put on a spirited second-half performance.
WHU: Burch; Mullins, Brevett, Ward, Mackay (Blewitt 81), Noble,
Williams, Cohen, Ashikodi (Sofiane 68), Reo-Coker (McClenahan 46),
Reid. Subs Unused: Reed (GK),Wright.