Fulham reserves 1-1 West Ham United reserves
Kyel Reid's second-half goal saw West Ham United reserves take a deserved share of the spoils in a lively encounter at Fulham this evening.
Kevin Keen's men made their point when Reid slotted the ball in from a corner half-an-hour into the second period of the match played at a chilly Motspur Park. Reid's equaliser cancelled out the Cottagers' first-half effort on the stroke of half-time from Bradley Hudson- Odoi.
Reid, who Keen described as being "outstanding tonight", had other chances to increase his goal tally and proved to be a handful for the hosts throughout. The reserve-team coach was also full of praise for the rest of his team, which included Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie making his first appearance since March after recovering from injury.
"We fully deserved to get back in the game after going behind, because we battled well and didn't give up," said Keen. "Kyel was outstanding tonight and was putting in crosses all the time and he got the goal to see us level." Reid's good form continued from the reserves' previous outing a fortnight ago when he made the winning goal for Luis Boa Morte against Tottenham Hotspur.
Keen added: "I was also proud of all the team because we hung in there and I was pleased to see us step up our game in the second half and take it to Fulham. I think, overall, a draw was a fair result. They had the first half and we had the second, but I was pleased with our attitude and performance, from both senior and younger players."
The hosts had on-loan Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi in their ranks along with Elliott Omozusi in defence. As well as Quashie, who got a full 90 minutes under his belt with no ill-effects, West Ham saw Jonathan Spector and John Pantsil figure alongside a host of young players who are all beginning to make their mark at reserve level.
It was Fulham who had the most of the early chances in the first half, their first effort on goal coming from Wayne Brown. The visitors then saw Zavon Hines go close after he intercepted a failed clearance by the Fulham defence. Reid followed that by sending in a great cross, which was met by captain Jack Collison, but his left-foot shot was cleared to safety.
It was back up the other end as Brown struck a fierce volley just wide before his team managed to break the deadlock with virtually the last kick of the half. Hudson-Odoi struck the ball with his left foot and a deflection took it past goalkeeper Marek Stech at his left-hand post.
In the second half, Fulham nearly increased the lead through Brown, but Keen's young charges were growing in confidence and it was Reid leading the way. Not only did he fire in several crosses but he then nearly drew the Hammers level with a free-kick that hit the woodwork. The goal was coming and from the resulting corner, Reid managed to find a way through a crowded area to equalise with a deflected effort of his own.
West Ham were not finished there though and went searching for a second consecutive win. Notably, Reid crossed for Collison but the promising midfielder's goalbound shot was blocked. Fulham had a few half-chances of their own before the final whistle but it was to finish honours even.
West Ham United: Stech, Pantsil, Widdowson, Tomkins, Spector, Quashie, Reid, Stokes (Hales, 45), Collison, Jeffrey, Hines
Subs not used: Edgar, Miller, Fitzgerald, Stanislas, Spence