FT - West Ham United XI 5-1 Ipswich XI

West Ham United winger Matthias Fanimo scored four goals, including a first-half hat trick, as a Hammers XI beat an Ipswich Town XI 5-1 at the Boleyn Ground.

Nick Haycock selected a range of players, from new signings Alex Song, Diafra Sakho and captain for the day Diego Poyet to young professionals and Academy scholars such as Amos Nasha, Nathan Mavila and Lewis Page.

The Hammers scored their first after only 12 minutes as Fanimo cut in from the left wing and shot into the far corner.

West Ham were in control for the vast majority of the game as a midfield trio of Ravel Morrison, Song and Poyet dictated the game.

Both teams had good chances to score in the early exchanges, young defenders Mavila and Moses Makasi both put in excellent blocks to protect Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal.

Down the other end Sakho proved to be handful, his pace and strength too much for the Tractor Boys to handle. However, it would not be until the second half until he was rewarded with a goal for his efforts. 

It was not long until West Ham doubled their lead. Moments after Morrison had been denied a penalty after being bodychecked, Mavila was awarded a penalty, having been clipped in the box. The left-back dusted himself down and took the penalty himself, only to see his effort saved. However, the Ipswich 'keeper could only parry the shot into the path of Fanimo, who headed the rebound in.

The hosts continued to press for a third goal, yet found themselves pegged back after Ipswich striker Conor Sammon pounced on a loose ball inside the six yard box following a corner.

Fanimo completed his hat-trick just before half-time, running onto a defence splitting pass from debutant Song and coolly sliding the ball under the onrushing 'keeper.

The second half took a while to get going, until a moment of sheer brilliance inspired West Ham's fourth of the afternoon. Song and Morrison combined in a series of majestic one touch tricks and flicks before leaving Sakho clear to finish off a truly stunning move.

In the 62nd minute, the Hammers' put the game well beyond reach of the visitors. Morrison, who was instrumental in the majority of attacks, once again drove at the Ipswich back four. With three options ahead, he played in Fanimo for yet another calm finish.

As both sets of players tired and a raft of substitutions took place, both sides had good chances to score. Sakho had several shots closed down, while Makasi tried an audacious overhead kick that went wide. Down the other end, Jaaskelainen made an excellent one-handed save to block the oncoming winger, before Sammon fired the rebound over the unguarded net.

The match finished a resounding 5-1, with many positives for Haycock to take into next Friday's Development Squad match at home to Liverpool in the Barclays U21 Premier League. Kick-off at the Boleyn Ground will be at 7pm.

*Highlights and reaction from the 5-1 West Ham United XI victory over an Ipswich Town XI can be found here.

West Ham United XI: Jaaskelainen, Nasha, Mavila, Song, Page, Makasi, Gordon, Poyet, Sakho, Morrison, Fanimo
Subs used: Marlow, Bogard, Tombides, Labonne, Linley, Elsom, Sheriff