Kyel Reid has spoken of his delight at getting another run-out in the West Ham United first team although was "upset" by Carling Cup elimination against Everton.
"I enjoyed it," he said of his 23 minutes as a second-half replacement for Luis Boa Morte. "It was good to get out there and get a run out. It's a dream come true playing at Upton Park. I just want a bit more of that. There are a few injuries in the squad so hopefully I'll get a chance to come in and do my bit if needed."
The left-winger, who turned 20 last month and has just signed a new contract until 2009, had already made an impact in the competition when he came on in the third-round defeat of Plymouth Argyle, making the only goal of the game for Dean Ashton in the final minute. Unfortunately, he was unable to repeat his heroics in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat .
"We were very disappointed to lose to a goal like that," Reid said of the rare defensive mix-up that led to Yakubu's late winner. "We didn't deserve it. The boys played well and deserved more than a defeat out there so I just feel upset really.
"The beginning of the game they came at us fast and tough. You could tell they were up for a battle. Towards the end of the game I thought it was quite open. Both teams were attacking each other on the counterattack so it was just opening up and it was a matter of who got the goal first really."
Reid is the latest Academy player to graduate to the first team after the likes of Anton Ferdinand and Mark Noble. Following his steady rise, he knows only too well how important it is for first-teamers to support those coming through. So, on a freezing night last Monday, he went along to Bishop's Stortford to watch a young reserves side play out a goalless draw against Chelsea.
"It's not far from my house so I went down to give the boys some support," he said. "Where I've been here from a very young age and come through the ranks it's always good to show support to the youngsters as well." No doubt they will feel the same way about Reid and will hope to cheer him on if he gets the chance for more action over the busy Christmas period.