A very content Nick Haycock left the R Costings Abbey Stadium happy with what he saw after the Development Squad earned a 2-1 win over Conference National leaders Cambridge United.
Elliot Lee opened the scoring with a superb individual strike after 36 minutes as the Hammers held a deserved half-time lead. The visitors equalised with 15 minutes left but Lee again found the net, volleying home a Blair Turgott cross with just four minutes remaining to leave his coach suitably happy with their evening's work.
Haycock told West Ham TV: "We had a little bit of a lull at the start of the second half when I thought we were a little bit pedestrian with our passing because we didn't pass with the same purpose as in the first half.
"The boys showed good character after it went to 1-1 then to go on and win the game with two excellent finishes on the night from Elliot. They won us the game and we all know what he's capable of.
"It was a game of two halves in terms of the development of the players but to come into any match against a Conference side is a good test for a young team."
The win came against a U's team which included several of the first-team players that have helped them to an unbeaten start to the season, winning ten and drawing five of their opening 15 league matches.
Haycock was pleased with how his side handled the challenge presented by an opposition who had the ability to mix up their style of play.
"Richard Money is a good manager and they're top of the Conference. Although it probably wasn't their strongest XI, they had some good experienced players in there.
"They set up with a good shape about them, defended deep and it was all about how quickly we could penetrate them.
"You see a different side of things in games like this. I think the balance of the league programme gives you a certain element and these games give another element which is vital."
A fast start to the season has so far has seen the Development Squad top of the Barclays U21 Premier League table, with a trip to the Midlands up next.
The league leaders face Wolverhampton Wanderers at AFC Telford United on Monday evening looking to make it six wins from their first eight games. Haycock predicts it will be a tough game but remains confident his team can take all three points.
He said: "I know how Wolves play and they're a very good footballing side. I don't think people give them the respect they deserve in the league. I think Wolves are a good side and it will certainly be a good test up at Telford like it was last year.
"I'm always confident with the boys. Their spirit's good, on the training ground their professionalism is better.
"I watched a few of them the day after playing against Charlton for the first team and I don't think the boys did themselves as much justice as they should have done in that game but again they can't play well every week. As long as they learn game by game that's the important thing."
Kick-off at AFC Telford United on Monday evening is at 7pm.