KEVIN Keen's Reserve team won 4-2 against Coventry City at
Highfield Road, goals from Academy players Moses Ashikodi, Tony
Stokes, Kyel Ried and David Cowley securing the Reserves first win
in nine games.
They had to do it without defender Christian Dailly, who was forced
to withdraw from the side, although senior players Steve
Lomas, Luke Chadwick and Rufus Brevett were included.
But it was the Hammers young stars that did the damage. After a
lightening quick start Kevin Keen's team were 2-0 up with just
ten minutes gone. Kyel Reid broke away down the left and crossed
low for Moses Ashikodi who finished well from close range with just
five minutes gone.
Five minutes later Tony Stokes weaved his way into the Coventry
penalty area before being brought down by a clumsy challenge.
Stokes picked himself up to convert the penalty and put the Hammers
2-0 up.
Coventry fought back though and pulled a goal back with 22 minutes
gone, Eddie Johnson scoring with a left-foot effort. But it was the
Hammers dominating proceedings and they well-deserved their 2-1
half-time lead.
The second-half was only three minutes old when Steve Lomas was
replaced by Danny Bunce. Not before another rampaging Kyel Reid run
had broken the Coventry defence, and when the ball broke kindly for
the Hammers winger he took full advantage, finishing with a
thumping low shot to make it 3-1.
Again Coventry refused to give in and with 13 minutes remaining
they made the contest interesting again with a second goal. Luke
Webb, son of former Manchester United and England winger Neil,
scoring with a fine right-foot drive.
But five minutes later Hammers wrapped up the three points. Again
Reid was the provider, his low cross causing a goalmouth scramble
that was eventually ended with David Cowley forcing the ball home
to secure a fine 4-2 win for Kevin Keen's men.
He said afterwards: "It was an excellent performance.
Christian Dailly unfortunately wasn't quite ready, but we had
three senior players alongside some of our young players that have
been fantastic for us this season.
"We've worked so hard this term and sometimes we
haven't always got the rewards we deserved. But we got them
against Coventry. We played some nice football and put in a really
good team performance."
WHU: Kuciak; Henry, Brevett, Laws, Cohen, Lomas (Bunce 48),
Chadwick (Cowley 76), Stokes, Pearson, Ashikodi (Allen 88), Reid.
Subs unused: Reed (GK), Andrews.
Reserves Hit Four At Coventry
29th March 2005