Reserves Hit Four At Coventry

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.