A late goal from Teddy Sheringham earned Hammers their first win of the season -- but it was debutant Luke Chadwick who finally put the spark into the team.

A game which began in frenetic style seemed in danger of drifting away to a second successive stalemate until the former Manchester United wide-man replaced Sergei Rebrov with 15 minutes left.

Chadwick immediately added renewed vigour to the Irons, and when a high ball left Reading's defence exposed in the 81st minute he pounced.

Neat control and skill took him away from two defenders, and a perfectly threaded lay-off gave Sheringham a straightforward finish.

It was fitting that Sheringham struck the crucial blow, for he had been at the heart of much of the good things West Ham produced in a lively game.

His intelligent prompting stretched Reading's back four, and would have delivered greater rewards had strike partner Marlon Harewood not been in profligate mood.

Ironically, returning to an out-and-out forward role has seen Harewood suffer a mini drought in front of goal, and he added three more glaring misses to the chance he squandered at Leicester on Saturday.

In the second minute he was put in behind Adie Williams but delayed too long as he rounded keeper Marcus Hahnemann, and saw his shot scrambled clear.

Then another astute Sheringham flick set Harewood one-on-one, but he slid his shot wide of the goal with Hahnemann going to ground early.

But it was far from one way traffic. Reading might have scored inside 20 seconds after Nicky Forster brushed aside Christian Dailly only for Andy Hughes to scoop over the bar.

Wideman Glen Little then gave young Chris Cohen a tough time, while Steve Bywater had to be alert to deny Dave Kitson and then Forster in an enthralling opening half-hour.

Published Wednesday August 11, 2004

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