Djair Parfitt-Williams netted a hat-trick in West Ham Under-18’s 3-1 victory over Reading Under-18 on his return from injury.

The Bermudian winger, who had missed the previous four games, was in inspirational form against the Royals last weekend and helped extend the Hammers’ unbeaten run to eight games.

Parfitt-Williams, 18, who recently pledged his international allegiance to the United States rather than Bermuda, has scored five goals this season. West Ham’s victory over Reading moves them up to fifth in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League.

Tony Carr, West Ham coach, praised his side’s “team performance” but said it was only fair that Parfitt-Williams grabbed the headlines for his scintillating display.

“I thought he played very well, but having said that I wouldn’t say we were a one-man team today,” said Carr.

“It was very much a team performance and Djair was on the end of some very good team movements, so credit to him. It doesn’t take away from the fact it was a very good all-round team performance and I wouldn’t like to single anyone out, although Djair will grab the headlines because of the hat-trick, which ought to be noted.”

Carr believes the under-18 side are starting to find their form after a tough start to the season.

“We’ve put consistent results together and the boys are playing with lots of confidence,” he said. “We’re going into games now believing that we can win them so it’s breeding more confidence and that’s good for them, their futures and their progress.”

Parfitt-Williams, who previously played for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, was recommended to West Ham by Bermuda and Hammers legend Clyde Best.

The youngster, who moved to California when he was eight, is close to receiving his United States citizenship and has already been approached by US national team coaches to play for them at youth level.

He scored three goals in four appearances for the Hammers Under-18 side last season while still a schoolboy.

Rai Simons’ Ilkeston Academy would have faced Parfitt-Williams’ West Ham had they defeated Accrington Stanley in the second round of the FA Youth Cup last night.

Simons, a Bermuda international, was in impressive form against Accrington but couldn’t prevent his side losing 1-0 at the New Manor Ground.

It is understood scouts from Premier League sides Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa attended the match. Simons, who signed a two-year deal with the Robins in the summer, bagged a brace in his team’s 7-4 extra-time win over Northampton Town in the previous round of the competition.

The 17-year-old has also made several appearances for Ilkeston’s first team in the Evo-Stik League, the eighth tier of the English football League system, this season.

He had been offered trials at Walsall on the recommendation of the club’s former Bermuda striker Kyle Lightbourne before joining Ilkeston.