In their first practice match at Upton Park on Saturday West Ham United included four of their new players in the teams, Lawrence, a goalkeeper from Kidderminster; Walker, a back from Barrow; Wilson, an inside left from Southampton; and Johnson, a left half-back from Southend; and the brothers H. and G. Mills, who were signed on about a fortnight before the end of last season. Notable absentees from the sides were Dixon, Earl, Collins, and Watson, obvious first team choices, but their absence gave some of the younger members a chance of displaying their abilities. It was far too hot for football, but though some of the old hands were inclined to take it easy, the younger ones put plenty of dash into some of their movements and livened up the play considerably. The Reds and   Blues scored eight goals and equally divided them, and the centre-forward on each side did the "hat-trick." H. Mills, who, with his brother, came from the junior Scottish side, Glasgow Waverley, accomplished this for the Reds; and Fenton, the former West Ham schools player, performed similarly for the Blues. The other Mills (G.), who played inside-right, got the fourth goal for the Reds: from his brother's pass. Altogether it was a good game for the Mills boys, both fast off  the mark, and Hughie can hit the ball into the net speedily as well. Watson, the Blues goalkeeper, can testify to that.
Fenton, who has not yet reached his eighteenth year, is growing into ideal build for a centre forward. He also displayed knowledge of the whereabouts of the goal, and that he has good positioning sense was shown when he picked up a couple of centres from Yews, and on each occasion steered the ball into the net. The third was also a good one, although he obviously handled the ball before shooting through. Yews seemed more fit than for a couple of season's past, and responded to some clever passes from Puddefoot, who still shows forwards how a ball should be controlled. Sydney "sold the dummy" to his colleagues a number of times, and he scored the Blues' other goal with a great left foot drive. Morton, the youthful outside left, Just eighteen years of age, looks like making a bold bid for a place in the first eleven. He did better than Ruffell, but the latter was playing with the handicap of a damaged hand heavely bandaged. Of the new men it may be too early to judge. Wilson, the inside left, appeared clever enough, but re¬quired a little more speed, and Johnson, a six foot left half, should prove useful. Of the old players, Chalkley displayed as much enthusiasm in the game as If It had been & cup-tie, Cadwell looked as fit as a fiddle and played as if he were. Barrett took the game for what it was, a practice one, and Norris's chief desire appeared to be to put the ball into his own goal.
There were 5,000 spectators present, and charities will benefit to the extent of £141 plus the receipts of the second game on Saturday, when it Is proposed to field the two elevens with which the club expect to start their League and London Combination matches.