West Ham United Under-18s 0-1 Stoke City Under-18s
Tony Carr's side were unlucky to lose their first home match of the 2009/10 FA Premier Academy League season.
Having won 2-1 at Everton the week before, the Hammers were frustrated at Little Heath on Saturday afternoon. Like the Toffees tie, the Stoke match was one of ten inter-group fixtures to be played by the U18s in their 28-game season. Carr's side will hope to bounce back with a trip to Group A rivals Tottenham Hotspur this coming Saturday.
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS ON WHUTV NOW
Cristian Montano and Ahmed Abdulla were both particularly lively up front and had a number of chances to level matters after Stoke had taken the lead in the first half through a a headed goal from a left-wing cross. However, the Hammers - captained by Sergio Sanchez - were unable to take advantage of their pressure. Nick Barrett with a decent run and shot late in the game was perhaps the closest to an equaliser.
West Ham United: Mehmet, Driver, Brown, Lampe, Sanchez, Moncur (Werndly 70), Barrett, Wearen, Abdulla (Hall 55), Montano, Purdy (Craig 75)
Subs not used: Loveday, Smith