A solitary Junior Stanislas strike was enough to ensure West Ham United a second consecutive home win in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South.
The young winger struck a superb volley in the 24th minute to give the home side all three points after their 4-3 success against West Bromwich Albion last month. Stanislas was one of only two players - Jordan Spence was the other - in the starting lineup without first-team experience. Arsenal, in contrast were dominated by talented teenagers, although in Fran Merida they posed a significant midfield threat.
In front of the watching Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke, the likes of Calum Davenport and James Collins in defence, Hayden Mullins and Luis Boa Morte in midfield and Freddie Sears up front all took the chance to impress. It was Stanislas who stole the limelight though with that sweet finish from Walter Lopez's crossfield ball midway through the first half. Lopez was replaced as a precaution at half-time after picking up a slight knock.
Reserve-team coach Alex Dyer was delighted with the attitude of the senior professionals. "They played well," he said. "They came with a good attitude. Even though they had a young team, the lads had the right approach and played some good stuff. We got the goal at a good time and there were some positive performances out there."
West Ham United: Lastuvka, Spence, Davenport, Collins, Lopez ('Gala 46), Mullins, Collison, Boa Morte, Stanislas (Stokes 69), Sears, Reid (Harvey 83)
Subs not used: Loveday, Eyjolfsson
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