West Ham United Under-18s 1-1 Reading Under-18s
Balint Bajner made a dream start to his West Ham United career with a goal inside five minutes on his debut but it was not enough to give his new club victory on Saturday.
The Hungarian youth international striker's early goal completed a memorable week that began with him signing for the club on deadline day from Romanian outfit Liberty Oradea. The towering 17-year-old, who played for his country in this summer's European Under-19 Championship, popped up with just five minutes gone to convert after captain Josh Payne had played the ball across goal.
At a windswept Little Heath, the home side had plenty of chances to extend their lead. Two of the best chances fell to Danny Kearns and Anthony Edgar, only to be denied by the goalkeeper after a great shot and a one-on-one chance respectively. However, it did seem Bajner's effort would be enough. The game turned though after second-half substitute Christian Montano was sent off just after coming on.
The referee produced the red card after a coming together with a Reading player while defending a free-kick and it left Tony Carr's side down to ten men for the final 20 minutes. The visitors soon made the extra man count when they scrambled in an equaliser after a lofted free-kick caused confusion in the home defence. After that it was about hanging on to the point and the third straight draw of the new 2008/09 season that at least leaves the Under-18s unbeaten.
West Ham United: Street, Harvey, Brown, McNaughton (Montano 70), Fry, Lee, Kearns (Grasser 70), Payne, Abudlla, Bajner, Edgar
Subs not used: Barrettt, Callum Driver, Dennis Mehmet