Dwight Gayle of Dagenham & Redbridge scored twice against West Ham. Pic: Dave Simpson/TGSPHOTO

Dagenham & Redbridge 6 West Ham United XI 3

Dwight Gayle struck twice as Dagenham & Redbridge inflicted a heavy defeat on a West Ham United XI.

Daggers – fielding a starting line-up with an average age of less than 23 – tore apart the Hammers teenagers in their final warm-up match before the season begins with a Capital One Cup tie against Coventry City on Tuesday.

Daggers made the perfect start to the when Gayle headed the home side in front on three minutes.

After a good period of early pressure from John Still’s men Billy Bingham delivered a fine inswinging corner and Gayle ghosted in unmarked at the far post to score.

The home side continued to press and Gayle was inches away from doubling his tally with Medy Elito’s cross-cum-shot just evading him at the far post.

Brian Woodall nodded narrowly over the top on 16 minutes and Bingham stung the finger-tips of Hammers keeper Jake Larkins five minute later with a 25-yard effort.

On 31 minutes Gayle did score his second, after fine interplay with strike-partner Brian Woodall, the 21-year-old rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net.

Three minutes before the break Bingham’s low shot took a huge deflection off Hammers defender Kenzer Lee and crept past the helpless Larkins for a 3-0 half-time lead.

West Ham were comfortably second best in the first 45 minutes, but got themselves right back in the game with a quick-fire double after half-time.

Within 30 seconds of the restart Rob Hall was tripped in the box by Bingham and Jordan Spence made no mistake from 12 yards.

Then on 50 minutes Hall’s ferocious strike from the edge of the penalty area got the visitors back to within one goal.

Luke Howell missed a sitter moments later, hitting the post with the goal at his mercy.

But the Hammers had the momentum behind them and were only denied an equaliser when Lewington tipped Lee’s looping header over the crossbar.

Daggers finally regained a two-goal cushion when Bingham stumbled his way through the Hammers defence and finished coolly past Larkins.

The outcome was put beyond doubt when Sam Williams’ fine left-wing cross picked out Jake Reed to head in number five.

And Reed returned the complement soon after to cross for Williams to head in goal six at the near post.

Spence scored his penalty and the Hammers third ofthe match after Luke Wilkinson was questionably adjudged to have handled inside the box, but it was little consolation for Ian Hendon’s men.

Daggers: Lewington, Hoyte, Spillane (Wilkinson 60), Doe (Antwi 71), Ilesanmi (Gilbert 60), Elito (Scott 60), Bingham (Green 74), Ogogo, Howell (Dennis 81), Woodall (Williams 60), Gayle (Reed 46). Sub not used: Hogan.

West Ham: Larkins, Hunt (Seidu 76), Spence, Lee (Homans), Fanimo (Rubin 74), Vose (Baldock 61), Powell, Lletget, Hall, McCullum (Abiola 66), Turgott (Piquionne 79).