Keen's Positive Opening

RESERVE Team Coach Kevin Keen took plenty of positives from his side's opening Premier Reserve League South game of the season against Arsenal, despite seeing his side go down 3-2 to an injury time winner.

Hammers led 2-1 at half-time with goals from Trent McClenahan and Youssef Sofiane, but the Gunners hit back in the second-half to deny his side what would have been an excellent point.

Kevin said: "The most disappointing aspect of the night for me was seeing the team lose to an injury time goal, especially as we had put in such a hard-working performance.

"But there were plenty of positives we could take from the game, not least the tremendous work-rate and determination we showed throughout the game.

"We played some good football as well and scored two very well worked goals, which was encouraging.

"But we were up against a very good Arsenal side, who moved the ball around extremely well, and in the second-half we came under a lot of pressure.

"Matt Reed had a very good game in goal and made some excellent saves in the second-half as Arsenal pushed to try and get back into the game.

"In the end it was disappointing to give away a goal so late in the game, but we'll take a lot away from the game and there was plenty in our performance to give us encouragement for the season ahead."