4:58pm Saturday 15th March 2008
By Guardian-series
West Ham 2
Blackburn 1
(Premier League)
PROMISING youngster Freddie Sears celebrated a dream debut as his late goal earned West Ham a first win in four games at the hands of Blackburn this afternoon.
The 18-year-old took just six minutes to score his first for the club after climbing off the bench as a 75th minute substitute at Upton Park.
The prolific marksmen - who has now scored 26 goals in 25 games for the club at U18, reserve and first team level - headed in at the second attempt after seeing his initial parried by Friedel.
Roque Santa Cruz had given Blackburn a 19th minute lead when he dived in to head home a Morten Gamst Pedersen cross.
Dean Ashton grabbed the equaliser before the half was out with a slotted shot past Brad Friedel.
The result eases the pressure on under-fire Irons boss Alan Curbishley after a run of three 4-0 defeats.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Spector, McCartney, Solano (Sears 75), Parker (Noble 75), Mullins, Ljungberg (Pantsil 88), Ashton, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Tomkins.
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