SERGEI Rebrov marked his return to fitness by scoring a wonderful
free-kick as Hammers Reserves drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace at
Selhurst Park.
With senior players Rebrov and Rufus Brevett included in Kevin
Keen's side it was the Hammers who looked sharpest in the
opening exchanges.
But Palace could boast some experienced stars of their own and in
Neil Shipperly and Nicola Ventola they had strength and skill up
front that was always going to cause Hammers problems.
Young centre-back pairing James Tomkins and Liam White did well
against their more senior opponents, but Hammers were grateful to
goalkeeper Dusan Kuciak who made some top class saves to keep the
home side at bay and send the teams in tied 0-0 at the break.
It was the Hammers that struck first on the hour mark, their goal
coming much against the run of play. It was Rebrov who supplied the
touch of class to put Hammers ahead, after he was fouled on
the edge of the box. The Ukraine striker hit a spectacular
free-kick that curled brilliantly past the Palace goalkeeper.
Rebrov departed the field not long after, and Palace took that as
their cue to hit back. Just minutes after going behind the home
side were level, a cross from the left headed down to Wayne
Andrews, who crashed home the equaliser.
West Ham more than deserved their point though, the 1-1 draw making
it eight games unbeaten for Kevin Keen's men.
WHU: Kuciak; Andrews, Brevett, Tomkins, White, Stokes, Cowley,
Cohen, Rebrov (Davidson 64), Ephraim (Bunce 81), Reid (Welsh 87).
Subs unused: Reed (GK), Laws.
By Tony Fowles, Ironworks Gazette