Damien Johnson marked his return from injury with the decisive goal that clinched a second successive win for Blues Reserves in tonight's clash with West Ham at Damson Parkway.

The Irishman warmed the hearts of the loyal fans that had turned out on a bitterly cold Solihull evening with an excellent strike that put the home side in control of proceedings within half an hour.

Johnson's strike put Blues two goals to the good after Jake Jervis had put the hosts in front during a very good first half performance in which Malky Thomson's team pinged the ball about with consummate ease.

The visitors pulled a goal back early in the second half from a penalty and although Blues failed to show the same kind of dynamism after the interval, it was a still a thoroughly merited victory.

Gary McSheffrey tried his luck on ten minutes from 25 yards with a shot that was easily claimed by Hammers keeper Peter Kurucz but Blues didn't have to wait too much longer for the opening goal.

The hosts took the lead on 16 minutes and it was the climax of a good spell of possession. Thomson's charges passed the ball around with aplomb and when James O'Shea teed up Jervis with a chance ten yards out, the youngster produced a clinical finish as he curled a shot into the far corner.

Blues were forced into an early change on 25 minutes when McSheffrey left the action due to a hip injury and was replaced by Robin Shroot.

The home side continued to carve out chances with Keith Fahey going close with a curling effort and it was from a similar opening that Blues did double their advantage on the half-hour.

Johnson picked up the ball on the left side of the area and took it on before unleashing a shot that appeared to take a deflection as it looped beyond Kurucz.

The home team were now clearly enjoying themselves and came within inches of a third as Lee Carsley's half-volley dipped just over the bar.

And a storming run from Fahey then took the Irishman inside the area and his pull back should have brought better reward but Shroot was denied by a good stop from Kurucz.

Blues had to settle for a two-goal lead at the break but there were plenty of positives to take from an impressive first half display.

Thomson made his second player switch at the interval as Jervis was replaced by fellow Academy scholar Omar Bogle.

The Hammers reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half from the penalty spot.

Frank Nouble went down in the area after going over the legs of Johnson and referee Amy Rayner pointed to the spot. Nouble dusted himself down and converted low past Colin Doyle.

Blues looked to respond straightaway as sub Bogle got his head to Jared Wilson's cross-field ball but his effort drifted just wide of the post.

The Blues youngster was inches away again with a goal-bound shot that was deflected just past the post with 20 minutes left.

And Shroot was denied a deserved goal as his effort from the edge of the box was jjst turned around the post by Kurucz.

Blues' win moved them off the foot of the table and up three places above their visitors as Thomson continued his impressive start as the new reserve team coach.

Blues: Colin Doyle, Jared Wilson, Giovanny Espinoza, Franck Queudrue, Gregory Vignal, James O'Shea, Damien Johnson (Ashley Sammons 62), Keith Fahey, Lee Carsley, Gary McSheffrey (Robin Shroot 25), Jake Jervis (Omar Bogle 46).
Subs (not used): Jack Butland, Jacob Rowe.
Goals: Jervis (16), Johnson (30).
Booking: Carsley (52)

West Ham: Peter Kurucz, Holmar Eyjolfsson, Davide Ferrari, Josh Payne, Bondz Ngala, Fabio Daprela, Kieron Dyer, Daniel Kearns (Eion Wearen 59), Frank Nouble, Terry Dixon, Anthony Edgar.
Subs (not used): Georg Grasser, Peter Loveday, Cristian Montano, Andrea Zola.
Booking: Edgar (36), Ferrari (56)
Goal: Nouble (50)