Reid headed in Matt Taylor’s 29th-minute corner to double the lead for the Hammers and was solid at the back as his side kept the West Londoners scoreless. After two wins in three games, West Ham have climbed to seventh and sit three points behind leaders Chelsea.
The Auckland-born defender was soon boarding a plane to link up with his All Whites team mates in time for crucial qualifiers against New Caledonia in Noumea on Friday and then against Solomon Islands back at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday.
There was more good news from the Premier League for Kiwi fans as Ryan Nelsen made his first league start for Queens Park Rangers, playing all 90 minutes in a 3-1 loss to reigning English champions Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
The other member of the All Whites 2010 World Cup back three, Tommy Smith, also clocked 90 minutes as Ipswich Town drew 2-2 with Huddersfield at Portman Road in the second-tier Championship.
In contrast, Chris Wood is looking forward to getting back on the pitch after missing another match day squad for West Bromwich Albion, who beat Everton to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League.
“Back to NZ later on this evening. Looking forward to meeting up with the lads and playing some football,” he tweeted.
One All White who won’t be making the trip is fellow striker Rory Fallon, who missed Aberdeen’s scoreless draw against St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League after he tore a stomach muscle midweek and had to withdraw from New Zealand’s games.
Kosta Barbarouses will arrive in New Caledonia with vital game time under his belt after making his second appearance for Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League. The Greens drew 1-1 at home to PAS Giannina with Barbarouses subbed early in the second half.
Jeremy Brockie maintained his goalscoring form, lodging his eighth goal in three games on the Wellington Phoenix’s pre-season tour of India in a 3-2 loss to Shillong Lajong.
Brockie and his Phoenix team mates also involved in the All Whites now head to Noumea via Australia for New Zealand’s opening Stage 3 qualifier on Friday night.
Other A-League pre-season action saw Michael McGlinchey play the first 58 minutes of a 4-0 win over Bankstown City as Central Coast lifted the Doug Turnbull Cup.
Finally, Chris Killen’s Chongqing drew 0-0 away to Shanghai Tellace to hold on to ninth place in China’s second division.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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