West Ham United's reserve team slipped to a 2-1 defeat
against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
In a lively and entertaining encounter at Upton Park, a second half header from Tony Stokes wasn't enough for the Hammers, who are still without a point after three games in the Barclaycard Premiership Reserve League South this season so far.
However, Hammers boss Alan Pardew will have been pleased to see goalkeeper Robert Green make an impressive performance between the sticks in what was his Upton Park debut.
The recent signing from Norwich City was the most senior member in a line-up consisting mainly of youth team youngsters, with Kyel Reid, Hogan Ephraim and Stokes - back from a brief loan spell at Brighton - the only outfield players with any first team experience, while coach Kevin Keen named two first-year Academy scholars - Jordan Spence and Bondz Ngala - in his back four.
The Gunners had Swiss central defender Phillipe Senderos making his way back from injury, while former Hammers loan striker Jeremie Aliadiere appeared in attack.
After a fairly quiet start to the game, Green was called into action in the 12th minute, stretching low to his left to keep out a close-range effort from Jay Simpson, before denying Aliadiere with a similar stop just two minutes later.
Hammers responded well with an attacking spell of their own, orchestrated by the lively Hogan Ephraim. The England under-19 striker, who headed off on international duty straight after the game tonight, almost wriggled into a goalscoring position after beating two opponents, and then fired a dipping 25-yard effort just inches over the bar.
On 21 minutes, though, the hosts were dealt a blow when young defender James Tomkins was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge in the centre circle. The 17-year-old was taken straight to hospital and is expected to be out for almost a month.
Ten minutes before the break, the game sparked into life with two excellent chances at either end that could easily have produced the opening goal. First Arsenal winger Traore lobbed wide of the target after being sent clean through against Green, then Jack Jeffery's left-foot strike from eight yards out was blocked by the legs of Manuel Almunia at the other end.
As the end of the half neared, Arsenal broke through again, but Traore was again off target, dragging his left-foot shot wide of Green's goal, and it seemed likely that the two sides would go in level at the interval.
However, with seconds remaining in stoppage time at the end of the half, the visitors again broke free down the left hand side and this time Aliadiere was on hand to stab the ball past Green from just six yards out.
Hammers started the second half brightly and again it was Ephraim providing the inspiration, as a determined 30-yard run at the heart of the Arsenal defence ended with a curling shot that Almunia superbly tipped round for a corner.
Moments later, Stokes - captaining the side in the centre of midfield - strode forward and unleashed a fierce left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area that crashed against the post, while another sublime piece of skill from Ephraim to beat Senderos almost led to an opening.
On 67 minutes, though, the hard work finally paid off, as Hammers drew level with a tremendous equaliser. After being fouled some 40 yards out, Ephraim picked himself up to swing in an inch-perfect delivery that Stokes met with a bullet header from eight yards out that flew into the top corner.
The assist proved to be Ephraim's final contribution of the night, and he left the field to thunderous applause from the few hundred fans present, before heading off to meet up with the England under-19 squad for a UEFA tournament in Austria later this week.
Unfortunately, the loss of their most creative attacking influence seemed to knock Hammers out of their stride and, with just 10 minutes remaining, it was Arsenal who found the extra impetus to produce a winner, as a hopeful cross into the box dropped to defender Joe O'Cearuill, who scrambled a shot past Green.
It was a harsh blow for the young Hammers, who certainly deserved more for their efforts. Stokes almost forced an equaliser with a low left-foot shot in the final minute, but the Gunners held on to take all three points.
Hammers: Green; Spence, Ngala, Tomkins (Harvey 21), Widdowson; Hales (Sears 89), Collison, Stokes, Reid; Ephraim (Stanislas 68), Jeffery. Subs unused: Blackmore, Hunt.
In a lively and entertaining encounter at Upton Park, a second half header from Tony Stokes wasn't enough for the Hammers, who are still without a point after three games in the Barclaycard Premiership Reserve League South this season so far.
However, Hammers boss Alan Pardew will have been pleased to see goalkeeper Robert Green make an impressive performance between the sticks in what was his Upton Park debut.
The recent signing from Norwich City was the most senior member in a line-up consisting mainly of youth team youngsters, with Kyel Reid, Hogan Ephraim and Stokes - back from a brief loan spell at Brighton - the only outfield players with any first team experience, while coach Kevin Keen named two first-year Academy scholars - Jordan Spence and Bondz Ngala - in his back four.
The Gunners had Swiss central defender Phillipe Senderos making his way back from injury, while former Hammers loan striker Jeremie Aliadiere appeared in attack.
After a fairly quiet start to the game, Green was called into action in the 12th minute, stretching low to his left to keep out a close-range effort from Jay Simpson, before denying Aliadiere with a similar stop just two minutes later.
Hammers responded well with an attacking spell of their own, orchestrated by the lively Hogan Ephraim. The England under-19 striker, who headed off on international duty straight after the game tonight, almost wriggled into a goalscoring position after beating two opponents, and then fired a dipping 25-yard effort just inches over the bar.
On 21 minutes, though, the hosts were dealt a blow when young defender James Tomkins was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge in the centre circle. The 17-year-old was taken straight to hospital and is expected to be out for almost a month.
Ten minutes before the break, the game sparked into life with two excellent chances at either end that could easily have produced the opening goal. First Arsenal winger Traore lobbed wide of the target after being sent clean through against Green, then Jack Jeffery's left-foot strike from eight yards out was blocked by the legs of Manuel Almunia at the other end.
As the end of the half neared, Arsenal broke through again, but Traore was again off target, dragging his left-foot shot wide of Green's goal, and it seemed likely that the two sides would go in level at the interval.
However, with seconds remaining in stoppage time at the end of the half, the visitors again broke free down the left hand side and this time Aliadiere was on hand to stab the ball past Green from just six yards out.
Hammers started the second half brightly and again it was Ephraim providing the inspiration, as a determined 30-yard run at the heart of the Arsenal defence ended with a curling shot that Almunia superbly tipped round for a corner.
Moments later, Stokes - captaining the side in the centre of midfield - strode forward and unleashed a fierce left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area that crashed against the post, while another sublime piece of skill from Ephraim to beat Senderos almost led to an opening.
On 67 minutes, though, the hard work finally paid off, as Hammers drew level with a tremendous equaliser. After being fouled some 40 yards out, Ephraim picked himself up to swing in an inch-perfect delivery that Stokes met with a bullet header from eight yards out that flew into the top corner.
The assist proved to be Ephraim's final contribution of the night, and he left the field to thunderous applause from the few hundred fans present, before heading off to meet up with the England under-19 squad for a UEFA tournament in Austria later this week.
Unfortunately, the loss of their most creative attacking influence seemed to knock Hammers out of their stride and, with just 10 minutes remaining, it was Arsenal who found the extra impetus to produce a winner, as a hopeful cross into the box dropped to defender Joe O'Cearuill, who scrambled a shot past Green.
It was a harsh blow for the young Hammers, who certainly deserved more for their efforts. Stokes almost forced an equaliser with a low left-foot shot in the final minute, but the Gunners held on to take all three points.
Hammers: Green; Spence, Ngala, Tomkins (Harvey 21), Widdowson; Hales (Sears 89), Collison, Stokes, Reid; Ephraim (Stanislas 68), Jeffery. Subs unused: Blackmore, Hunt.