Youths hold Chelsea

West Ham United's Under-18s held London rivals Chelsea to a 0-0 draw in the FA Premier Youth Academy league on Friday afternoon.

Tony Carr's youngsters travelled to Cobham today after the match was brought forward 24 hours, and gave a very good account of themselves.

In a closely-fought encounter, Hammers more than matched their elite opponents and had the best chance of the game midway through the second half when Freddie Sears cut the ball back for Jack Jeffery, who hooked the ball wide from close range.

Czech Under-21 goalkeeper Marek Stech made his first appearance in a Hammers shirt after recovering from an ankle injury sustained following his arrival at the Club in August, while the afternoon didn't go so well for Irish midfielder Lorcan Fitzgerald, who was sent off in the final minute for a second bookable offence.

Hammers: Stech; O'Neill, Spence, Ngala, Widdowson; Stanislas (Harvey 70), Hales, Collison, Fitzgerald; Sears (Bowes 88), Jeffery (Hunt 75). Unused sub: Blackwell