Pompey Comeback Denies Hammers

HAMMERS Reserves saw a two goal lead slip away as they were held 2-2 by Portsmouth on a freezing evening at Dagenham and Redbridge.

Both teams fielded young sides for this FA Premier Reserve League South clash, but it was West Ham that started the stronger. Kyel Reid's effort was saved by Pompey goalkeeper Dean Harris after only four minutes and two minutes later Ollie Allen's header from Hogan Ephraim's cross came back off the crossbar.

West Ham's pressure finally paid dividends with 24 minutes gone when Allen broke free on the right and unleashed a thunderous drive that buried into the top corner of the net, giving Harris no chance. It was Allen's first goal for the Reserves and some way to open his account.

Moses Ashikodi dragged a shot wide shortly afterwards, but Kevin Keen's men more than deserved their 1-0 half-time lead.

Three minutes into the second-half Hammers increased their lead with another wonder strike. It was another first-time scorer for the Reserves, Danny Bunce, getting off the mark in spectacular fashion. The midfielder burst onto the ball 20 yards from goal and curled a beautiful right-foot strike that nestled neatly in the top corner of the net.

Minutes later Reserve team debutant David Cowley saw his long range effort dip just over the bar, before Portsmouth began to rally.

It was yet another brilliant strike that claweremaining Portsd Pompey back into the game on 71 minutes, Scott Harris dispatching a sizzling effort that gave Jimmy Walker no chance.

With two minutes mouth grabbed an equaliser to break Hammers hearts and deny them their first win in six games.

Joe Carter-Harris sprung the West Ham defence and raced through on goal. Walker came out to block well at the substitute's feet, but James Keene was following up to roll the ball into an empty net and level the scores at 2-2.

Kevin Keen said: "We scored two wonderful goals and performed really well on the night. Both sides were of a similar age and both worked extremely hard in difficult conditions. I think we deserved our lead for the way we played in the first-half, but credit to Portsmouth because they didn't give up and came back strongly in the end.

"We were disappointed not to win the game, but it was a good display from a very young team."

WHU: Walker; McClenahan, Cohen, Laws, Blewitt, Bunce, Allen, Cowley (Andrews 77), Ashikodi, Ephraim, Reid. Subs unused: White, Kuciak (GK), Davidson, Welsh, Georgiou.