23/10/2007 12:04
Dean Ashton and Freddie Ljungberg were the star attractions at the stadium
store on Monday afternoon as fans flocked to the Boleyn Ground. The popular
England striker and Sweden midfielder were helping to promote the launch of
the brand new winter sportswear range at both the club shop and the Lakeside
shopping centre store. Log on to WHUTV now to see exclusive footage from the
day, including an interview with a young fan who has particular reason for
being fond of Deano. Supporters travelled from far and wide for a rare to
chance to meet and speak to the West Ham United stars but do not worry if
you missed out as there are two more opportunities to meet your Hammers
favourites this week. The player appearances will take place between 2pm and
4pm on the following days, although please note the players and dates are
subject to change. Click here for opening hours.
Wednesday - Anton Ferdinand and Mark Noble (Lakeside shop)
Thursday - Robert Green and Lucas Neill (Stadium shop).
There is also extra incentive for getting along to either event as fans will
have the chance to win flight tickets with XL. The club sponsors are
offering five pairs of tickets via a prize draw in store on their new route
from London Gatwick to Knock in Ireland. You can also download an entry form
postcard from the right-hand side link or click here. Just complete it and
bring it along to either of the two shops when you visit.
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Reid makes a point for reserves - WHUFC
23/10/2007 23:11
Fulham reserves 1
West Ham United reserves 1
Kyel Reid's second-half goal saw West Ham United reserves take a deserved
share of the spoils in a lively encounter at Fulham this evening. Kevin
Keen's men made their point when Reid slotted the ball in from a corner
half-an-hour into the second period of the match played at a chilly Motspur
Park. Reid's equaliser cancelled out the Cottagers' first-half effort on the
stroke of half-time from Bradley Hudson- Odoi.
Reid, who Keen described as being "outstanding tonight", had other chances
to increase his goal tally and proved to be a handful for the hosts
throughout. The reserve-team coach was also full of praise for the rest of
his team, which included Scotland midfielder Nigel Quashie making his first
appearance since March after recovering from injury.
"We fully deserved to get back in the game after going behind, because we
battled well and didn't give up," said Keen. "Kyel was outstanding tonight
and was putting in crosses in all the time and he got the goal to see us
level." Reid's good form continued from the reserves' previous outing a
fortnight ago when he made the winning goal for Luis Boa Morte against
Tottenham Hotspur.
Keen added: "I was also proud of all the team because we hung in there and I
was pleased to see us step up our game in the second half and take it to
Fulham. I think, overall, a draw was a fair result. They had the first half
and we had the second, but I was pleased with our attitude and performance,
from both senior and younger players."
The hosts had on-loan Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi in their ranks
along with Elliott Omozusi in defence. As well as Quashie, who got a full 90
minutes under his belt with no ill-effects, West Ham saw Jonathan Spector
and John Pantsil figure alongside a host of young players who are all
beginning to make their mark at reserve level.
It was Fulham who had the most of the early chances in the first half, their
first effort on goal coming from Wayne Brown. The visitors then saw Zavon
Hines go close after he intercepted a failed clearance by the Fulham
defence. Reid followed that by sending in a great cross, which was met by
captain Jack Collison, but his left-foot shot was cleared to safety.
It was back up the other end as Brown struck a fierce volley just wide
before his team managed to break the deadlock with virtually the last kick
of the half. Hudson-Odoi struck the ball with his left foot and a deflection
took it past goalkeeper Marek Stech at his left-hand post.
In the second half, Fulham nearly increased the lead through Brown, but
Keen's young charges were growing in confidence and it was Reid leading the
way. Not only did he fire in several crosses but he then nearly drew the
Hammers level with a free-kick that hit the woodwork. The goal was coming
and from the resulting corner, Reid managed to find a way through a crowded
area to equalise with a deflected effort of his own.
West Ham were not finished there though and went searching for a second
consecutive win. Notably, Reid crossed for Collison but the promising
midfielder's goalbound shot was blocked. Fulham had a few half-chances of
their own before the final whistle but it was to finish honours even.
West Ham United: Stech, Pantsil, Widdowson, Tomkins, Spector, Quashie, Reid,
Stokes (Hales, 45), Collison, Jeffrey, Hines
Subs not used: Edgar, Miller, Fitzgerald, Stanislas, Spence
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Reserves 1-1 West Ham - FulhamFC.com
Tuesday 23rd October 2007
A fiery encounter at Motspur Park thawed what were icy conditions as an
attacking and adventurous Fulham were held to a 1-1 draw against a
determined Hammers side.
The Whites were unable to field of one of their regular reserve strikers as
Collins John departed on a three-month loan spell with Championship side,
Leicester City. Despite his absence Development Squad manager, Billy
McKinlay, was able to call on a host of familiar names from previous games
this season, including Adrian Leijer and Elliot Omozusi in central defence,
Michael Timlin on the left wing and on-loan Crystal Palace striker, Shefki
Kuqi, up front.
The Whites called upon Under 18s keeper Neil Etheridge for only his second
start in the Development Squad and his first run out of the season; this was
on the back of a number of strong displays for the Under 18s so far this
term.
Familiar names in the Hammers line-up included Ghanaian defender, John
Pantsil, as well as former Manchester United Academy graduate, Jonathan
Spector. In the centre of midfield Nigel Quashie was used to marshall a
young midfield quartet. Elsewhere Kevin Keen was eager to give youth a
chance as a number of the younger players in his squad got starts as well as
appearances in the squad for some Under 18 players.
It took the Whites just two minutes to register their first attempt on goal;
Shefki Kuqi was scythed down on the edge of the area and Michael Timlin
stepped up. It seemed as though the Irishman was shaping to shoot but
instead he rolled it across the area and Wayne Brown drilled the ball from
25 yards out, sending it high and wide.
Despite this early chance Fulham were quite slow to get into the game, a
number of passes lacking the pace to find their required target. One of
these, a backpass from Adrian Leijer caught Neil Etheridge short. The
youngster's hurried clearance was charged down by Zavon Hines but thankfully
went just wide.
After half an hour McKinlay was forced into making a substitution when Lewis
Cumber picked up a head knock, Ashley Thompson replaced him. While the
Whites tried to reorganise their defence, Kyel Reid used this opportunity to
run hard down the left before whipping in a superb cross which evaded both
defenders and strikers alike. The ball ran through to Jack Collison but his
side foot effort was misplaced and Leijer cleared.
As half-time neared the Whites began to press further forward, an
unsuccessful clearance by the Hammers defence was met magnificently by Wayne
Brown on the half volley. Although a sweet connection, it skimmed the wrong
side of the post as far as Fulham were concerned.
Three minutes of stoppage time were indicated to include the injury picked
up by Cumber and it seemed like the time would elapse, as had the rest of
the first half, goalless. However, the ever lively Bradley Hudson-Odoi
picked up the ball in the right channel, cut inside before striking the ball
on his left foot. His shot took a wicked deflection off a West Ham defender
and the ball skimmed, this time in favour of Fulham, inside Marek Stech's
left hand post to give Fulham a perfect way to end the first half.
The Whites came very close to commencing the second half as they had ended
the first, a fierce, low drive from Wayne Brown clipped the outside of the
post.
Despite this early scare West Ham were still a threat in attack, most of the
best work coming from Kyel Reid who swapped flanks for the second half.
After Hines had been bundled over 25 yards out in a central position, Reid
stepped up and floated his free kick over the wall but it hit the post and
was cleared to safety. From the resulting corner confusion in the box
allowed Reid to sneak in and slot home to draw the game level.
The goal came as a surprise to the fans that had braved the harsh
conditions, but it didn't seem to affect the Fulham players who went in
search of the lead. Just past the hour mark some good work on the left from
Nathan Ashton saw a cross knocked deep to the back post where Hudson-Odoi
was lurking; the winger however scuffed his shot when he had time to do
better.
Most of Fulham's best work was coming down the left flank with Ashton and
captain for the night, Michael Timlin, interchanging well. Not only was the
best play occurring on the left side but some of the firmer challenges also.
Both John Pantsil for West Ham and Timlin picked up yellow cards for
somewhat over zealous challenges.
In the last 10 minutes both sides sensed that they might snatch victory and
as such the play zipped from end to end. A neat ball from Reid played Jack
Collison through, but Etheridge was alert to the danger and rushed from his
line to block what was a great chance for the Hammers. Eventually though,
with just a solitary minute of extra time to play the two sides had to be
content with honours even.
Fulham: Etheridge; Cumber (Thompson 30), Leijer, Omozusi, Ashton;
Hudson-Odoi, Brown, Milsom, Timlin; Kuqi (Uwezu 62), Ehui
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Reid pressing for West Ham breakthrough
tribalfootball.com - October 23, 2007
West Ham United winger Kyel Reid is pressing for first team inclusion after
another superb performance for the reserves in yesterday's 1-1 draw with
Fulham. Reid was on the scoresheet for the Hammers and reserves coach Kevin
Keen told whufc.com: "Kyel was outstanding tonight and was putting in
crosses in all the time and he got the goal to see us level."
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Parker makes new comeback attempt - Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:11am on 23rd October 2007
Scott Parker begins another comeback from injury tonight when he plays for
West Ham's reserve team at Fulham.
Parker, a £6million signing from Newcastle in the summer, has been plagued
by knee ligament problems so far this season and was forced off in his
belated debut against Arsenal three weeks ago. The midfielder could be back
in Alan Curbishley's squad for the trip to Portsmouth on Saturday if he
suffers no reaction.
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Solano: Newcastle pals happy I scored against Sunderland
tribalfooball.com - October 23, 2007
West Ham midfielder Nobby Solano admits he was delighted to score against
Sunderland in their 3-1 win. Solano says playing a part in West Ham's
decisive second goal against the Black Cats on Sunday was extra special
because of his Newcastle United links. The Peruvian had two spells on
Tyneside and was one of three former Magpies players barracked by the away
end at Upton Park, along with Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy. Solano's
78th-minute shot hit the post and went in off Craig Gordon's leg. "It was
very pleasing to score against Sunderland," he admitted. "Lots of my friends
from Newcastle sent me text messages and they were delighted for me to score
against them. "I'll try to claim the goal, if it hadn't hit the goalkeeper
it probably would have come back to me, but the win was the most important
thing."
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