Kevin Keen had a few experienced performers on view in Saturday afternoon's
friendly at Grays Athletic
02.08.2008
Grays Athletic 2-1 West Ham United XI
It is now five goals in five matches for Zavon Hines who scored a first-half
penalty but could not prevent a youthful West Ham United narrowly losing to
Conference outfit Grays Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
Hines, who has struck three match-winning penalties plus two goals from open
play in pre-season friendlies this summer, was on target again as Kevin
Keen's side visited the Recreation Ground but Grays responded well through
Ishamel Welsh and Charlie Ide. The match, watched by a 1,372-strong crowd,
marked a return to action for the first time since 9 February for Lee
Bowyer, who has been out with a groin injury. Matthew Etherington also made
his first appearance after suffering with blisters since the MLS All-Star
Game and Jack Collison was captain, partnering Bowyer, in central midfield.
Icelandic central defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson was making his third
appearance for West Ham United after performances at Thurrock and Cambridge
United. Also in the visiting lineup was Michalis Konstantinou, a Cypriot
international striker who is out of contract and has been training at
Chadwell Heath. The 30-year-old has proven Champions League experience with
Panathinaikos and Olympiakos in Greece and is the latest player to be
assessed after being identified by the club's extensive scouting network
The home side featured Welsh, a former Academy trainee who spent time at the
Boleyn Ground between 2005 and 2006. It was Grays who had the first real
shot of the game, Jamie Taylor getting into space only to see his shot go
wide. At the other end, Hines showed some good skill to evade his markers
and ran towards goal before the resulting effort was blocked.
The young striker appeared to be fouled in the box but the referee waved
away any appeals. That came on 37th minutes but, two minutes later, Hines
was again able to make his mark when he was once more brought down, this
time by John Ashton. The 19-year-old brushed himself off and sent a
confident strike into the back of the net to put West Ham United in front.
Bowyer and Etherington were linking up well, with the latter firing an
angled shot which forced Grays keeper Steve Arnold to save well. But it was
all-square a minute before half-time when Welsh picked up a good Ide pass
and slotted the ball in. At the start of the second half, Keen made his
first change replacing Konstantinou with Tony Stokes. Etherington also came
off for Junior Stanislas on 54 minutes before Bowyer made way for Joe
Widdowson in the 67th minute.
On 75 minutes, Tom Harvey and Ryan O'Neill replaced Eyjolfsson and Collison.
Hines nearly grabbed his second of the match on 83 minutes only to shoot
straight at the keeper but, right at the death, Ide made it 2-1 to the home
side when he slid in to score from a rebounded shot. Despite the scoreline,
it was another valuable work-out which saw two more first-team players get
vital match fitness and Hines give further food for thought to the coaching
staff.
West Ham United: Street, Spence, Eyjolfsson (Harvey 75), N'Gala, Miller,
Jeffery, Bowyer (Widdowson 67), Collison (O'Neill 75), Etherington
(Stanislas 54), Konstantinou (Stokes 46), Hines
Subs: Miklosko, Edgar
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Grays Athletic 2 West Ham Utd XI 1 - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 2nd August 2008
By: Staff Writer
A goal in the final minute of each half at the New Rec condemned Kevin
Keen's reserves to their first defeat of pre-season. A youthful looking
Hammers side - featuring just Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington and Jack
Collison from the first team squad plus trialist Michalis Konstantinou -
suffered their first defeat in four thanks to a last minute winner from
Athletic's Charlie Ide. Zavon Hines had given United a first half lead from
the penalty spot against the run of play after 39 minutes when smashing the
ball low into the bottom corner after being pulled down in the box by former
Leicester trainee Jon Ashton. It was no more than the young striker had
deserved, having been denied a cast-iron penalty for a similar infringement
two minutes earlier. But the home side were back on level terms with
virtually the last kick of the first half; Ishmael Welsh, a former Hammers
trainee who left the club in 2006 had given Jordan Spence a torrid time on
the left flank in the first half and was duly rewarded for his efforts with
a goal, scoring from close range with the United defence all at sea.
Trialist Konstantinou was replaced by Tony Stokes at the break after failing
to impress, as the Hammers began the second period in much better shape than
they ended the first. Hines - who has now hit five goals in his last five
games - thought he had notched his second of the afternoon after sliding the
ball home from close range. However the referee's assistant thought
differently and his effort was ruled out for offside. As the half wore on
Kevin Keen decided to ring the changes further, introducing Tom Harvey, Joe
Widdowson, Ryan O'Neill and Junior Stanislas for Holmar Eyjolfsson, Jack
Collison, Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington. The home side began to dictate
play once again but it was Zavon Hines who had the best chance of the second
half with just seven minutes remaining when put clean through on goal - only
to fire his shot straight at Athletic's 18-year-old keeper Steve Arnold.
As both sides traded blows with the final whistle drawing closer , the
Hammers saw chances from Tony Stokes and Jack Jeffrey fail to break the
deadlock. At the other end, United keeper Adam Street had to be alert to
deny Athletic twice within two minutes as the Blue Square Premier side
threatened to snatch victory. But Street was unable to prevent Grays from
snatching victory in the final few seconds of the game when new Grays
signing Ide pounced on a rebound to fire the winner from the edge of the
six-yard box much to the delight of the home fans behind the goal. It was a
disappointing finale to the game for the Hammers, but one that the home side
just about deserved on balance of play.
However there were plenty of positives to come from the game; another goal
for Zavon Hines plus the return to action of Messrs Etherington and Bowyer,
both of whom could be called upon by Alan Curbishley next weekend when
United take on Villarreal at the Boleyn Ground. Next up for the reserves is
the trip to Bishops Stortford on Tuesday night. The first team squad are
next in action at Ipswich on Monday night.
West Ham United: Street, Spence, Eyjolfsson (Harvey 75), N'Gala, Miller,
Jeffery, Bowyer (Widdowson 67), Collison (O'Neill 75), Etherington
(Stanislas 54), Konstantinou (Stokes 46), Hines.
Subs not used: Miklosko, Edgar.
Attendance:1,372.
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West Jan - KUMB
Filed: Saturday, 2nd August 2008
By: Staff Writer
Jan Lastuvka has been talking about his move to West Ham, which is expected
to be completed shortly. Official confirmation of the Czech goalkeeper's
switch is expected by the club sometime in the next 48 hours, after
Lastuvka's medical completed without a hitch on Friday. He will sign a
12-month loan deal with an option to buy should his year in London prove
successful. However the 26-year-old - who spent last season on loan with
German side VfL Bochum - is under no illusion that he will need to step up
his game if he is to earn a permanent deal with United. "I need to adapt
quickly and convince the club that they have not made a mistake in signing
me," he said. "I want this spell to be more successful than the one with
Fulham. "I would like my performances to be on par with my last six months
at Bochum. It is good that Mr.Miklosko will be able to help me from the
beginning. "But it is also clear to me that, as his compatriot, I will be
under more pressure. I believe I will not disappoint anyone."
Lastuvka also revealed that he had signed a new three-year deal with current
club Shaktar Donetsk to where he will return if he fails to secure a
permanent move to West Ham. "I had to sign a new contract which was
Shaktar's condition of the loan deal," he confirmed. "But if I return from
England the new contract is on a bigger wage."
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Lastuvka passes Hammers medial - SSN
Czech shot-stopper one step closer to move
By Vasek Kadlec Last updated: 2nd August 2008
Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Jan Lastuvka is one step closer to joining West Ham
after passing a routine medical. The 26-year-old Czech Republic shot-stopper
is set to join the East Londoners on a one-year loan deal with a view to a
permanent move. Lastuvka has already had one spell in England with Fulham,
although he was unable to secure regular football ahead of Antti Niemi. "I'm
glad it's turned out like this," Lastuvka told CTK. "I am looking forward to
playing for West Ham and I'll do my best to repay their faith in me."
Lastuvka is also relishing the prospect of working under fellow countryman
Ludek Miklosko, who is the goalkeeper coach at Upton Park. "It's a big plus.
I think the co-operation with him can help me a lot in improving my skills,"
he concluded.
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Young Hammers lose at Grays - SSN
Bowyer makes comeback in West Ham XI loss
By James Pearson Last updated: 2nd August 2008
Lee Bowyer made his comeback for West Ham on Saturday, but could not prevent
a youthful-looking Hammers from slipping to defeat. Zavon Hinds made it
five goals in five matches with his first-half penalty, although Kevin
Keen's Hammers XI lost 2-1 at Grays Athletic. Shortly before half-time West
Ham forged ahead when 19-year-old Hinds netted after he was originally
brought down in the penalty area. However, it failed to last until the
interval as Ishmael Welsh equalised for the home side with a neat finish.
Just when it looked like the contest might finish all-square, Charlie Ide
slid the ball home from close range to condemn West Ham to defeat.
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Coppell expects Shorey exit - SSN
Reading boss predicts defender will leave in coming days
By James Dall Last updated: 2nd August 2008
Reading manager Steve Coppell expects left-back Nicky Shorey to secure a
transfer back to the Premier League in the coming days. Shorey has been
strongly linked with a return to England's top flight this summer following
the Royals' relegation to the Championship. West Ham United have previously
been linked with the defender, but Portsmouth and Aston Villa appear to be
the current frontrunners to land his signature. And Coppell has confirmed
that interest is growing in the England international, although Reading have
yet to accept a bid. He said: "To be fair to Nicky Shorey, he has made it
clear from this time last year that he would prefer to leave and ply his
trade elsewhere. "We as a club have an asset and it is a delicate balancing
act between trying to satisfy the demands of the player and also trying to
satisfy the demands of the football club. "We had a good talk yesterday,
there was a little bit of interest last week and the chances are he will be
gone by next week. I am 60-40 convinced that he will be gone. "The offer was
a firm one but we have no need to sell anyone and I'm not going to give
anyone away. "It has to be a realistic bid in terms of market valuation, and
bear in mind that 12 months ago he was coming off the back of playing two
games for England against Brazil and Germany. "I don't feel disposed to let
him go for nothing. I appreciate it is a year on from that particular
moment, but as yet the valuation is not what we find acceptable."
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