Thursday, January 12

Daily WHUFC News - 12th January 2012

Hammers through in FA Youth Cup
WHUFC.com
West Ham United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 4-1 in the FA Youth Cup fourth
round
11.01.2012

WEST HAM UNITED U18s v BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION U18s
FA YOUTH CUP FOURTH ROUND
WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2012
KICK-OFF: 7PM

Final score - West Ham United U18s 4-1 Brighton and Hove Albion U18s
95 mins - The game is over. To see an exclusive gallery of images from
tonight's tie, click here. Dont' forget, the game will be played in its
entirety as-live on West Ham TV from 6.30pm on Thursday. The station will
also have exclusive post-match reaction from staff and players.
91 mins - Into the first of four added minutes...
89 mins - So close to No5! Hall cuts inside and crosses low to Lee. He
swivels and powers a shot that flies past Wray and hits the inside of both
posts before Vickers clears behind. The corner is worked short and a shot
flies in that the goalkeeper deals with well.
87 mins - Chambers buccaneers forwards before beating two defenders and
poking the ball to Young. He keeps the ball in and crosses. The ball bounces
along the top of the crossbar and behind.
86 mins - Miles is replaced by Hurley.
82 mins - Captain Potts comes off to a rousing reception to be replaced by
Frazer Shaw. Turgott takes over as skipper for the final few minutes.
79 mins - Fanimo took a knock shooting there and is replaced by Vose. He
gets a decent round of applause as he goes off.
78 mins - GOAL! Fanimo gets his goal, and it's a cracker. Kenzer Lee stops a
Brighton counter before Chambers beats a player and finds Turgott. He bursts
forward and beats a man before sliding the ball left to Fanimo. He looks up
and blasts a low drive past Wray from 20 yards. Unstoppable.
77 mins - Hall has taken a knock but play goes on. Turgott feeds Young and
he sends over a fine cross that is headed behind for a corner. Dominic Vose
will be on shortly.
76 mins - The Hammers are back on top. Fanimo gets past Rea and shoots, but
his effort flashes across the face of goal and out for a throw. He has put
himself about tonight, has Fanimo, both defensively and going forward.
75 mins - He is so good at that, is Hall. He gets into the box and checks on
to his left foot. He shoots low but Wray makes the save. Brighton smuggle
the ball clear before Young can pounce on the rebound.
74 mins - Don't forget, you have until 20 January to purchase your West Ham
United merchandise from the Official Online Store. To start shopping, click
here.
71 mins - George Cousins replaces Levy. That's Brighton's final change. Will
the Hammers make any substitutions in the closing stages?
70 mins - GOAL! Cumming-Bart has been Brighton's best player and he strokes
the ball home from the penalty spot after Vickers was fouled inside the West
Ham box. Game back on? I doubt it, but you never know.
66 mins - Elliot Lee does well to hold up play before finding Turgott. He
plays to Young, who wins a corner. The ball drops to Turgott, who appears to
be pushed in the back. It could be another penalty. Instead, the referee
plays on and Potts volleys over the top.
65 mins - Brighton are a little bit frustrated and captain Vickers goes into
the book. Yellow card for the Brighton No4 for a late challenge on halfway.
63 mins - GOAL! That must be that. Wray goes the right way but Hall has too
much power in his shot. Brighton make an immediate change, with No12 Ben
Gray coming on for Tuck.
62 mins - Penalty to West Ham! Elliot Lee bursts between two defenders and
pokes the ball through before going down. It was Rea who conceded the foul.
60 mins - Brighton have a free-kick about 35 yards out to the left of
Larkins' goal. Barry takes, but his team-mates are offside in the middle.
58 mins - Cumming-Bart beats Young initially but the right-back gets in
strongly to prod the ball away. Chambers comes in with a second challenge
and the ball thuds off the winger and goes behind for a goal kick. Applause
from the home fans.
55 mins - West Ham are back in the ascendancy. Hall is fouled. He and Powell
stand over the free-kick 30 yards out before Powell strikes a dipping shot
that clears the bar by a distance.
52 mins - Chance. Turgott wins a corner following a strong run. Fanimo takes
it left-footed and the ball is flicked on before Elliot Lee heads over from
close range.
49 mins - No real chances so far since the break. Brighton are trying to
pass their way back into the game. However, another loose one finds Hall and
he feeds Fanimo. The winger races on to the ball but he blazes his shot over
the top.
46 mins - Brighton kick-off. They have a mountain to climb to even force
extra-time. They have looked a bit nervous. Maybe the half-time team talk
will have done them some good. As for West Ham, it's a case of same again.

Half-time score - West Ham United U18s 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion U18s

47 mins - That's half-time. West Ham are comfortable and should advance if
they maintain this level of performance. Very good so far, capped by two
fine goals.
46 mins - Into the first added minute and Larkins comes out and makes a
commanding catch.
43 mins - The Hammers could be out of sight here. Kenzer Lee's long pass is
headed by Elliot into the path of Fanimo. He runs at Vickers and cuts on to
his right foot but screws wide from 20 yards. A pass to Turgott might have
been the better option.
41 mins - Wray was at school today and he'll wish he was still in the
classroom after that. He passes the ball straight to Turgott. He runs
forward and finds Hall, whose first-time shot is tipped over by the
goalkeeper. The corner is cleared.
39 mins - GOAL! Brilliant goal. Turgott plays the ball inside for Elliot
Lee, who instantly flicks the ball into the path of Hall. He takes one touch
and hammers a low shot that Wray cannot keep out. The ball nestles in the
bottom corner and Hall wheels away and lifts his shirt to show a 'Get well
soon' message for Dylan Tombides.
38 mins - Another half-chance for Brighton as Cumming-Bart crosses and
Goodwin gets above Chambers. He wins the header, but it loops harmlessly
over the crossbar.
37 mins - If you are an Academy member and want to come to the home npower
Championship fixture against Millwall on 4 January, tickets are on sale now.
To order yours, call 0871 2222700 or click here.
35 mins - Brighton finally have some possession inside the West Ham half.
Young heads Cumming-Bart's initial cross clear but the ball drops to Tuck.
He has a touch and shoots from 18 yards. It goes wide, but not by much.
34 mins - Cooper is replaced by No15 Dylan Lall. I'm not sure if that is
tactical or the centre-back was injured.
32 mins - Wray's night gets a bit worse as he slides out and handles the
ball outside his box. Free-kick, but no card for the youngster. Powell takes
the free-kick and Lee's shot hits Potts. It might have gone in otherwise.
30 mins - The Seagulls' best tactic might be to go more direct and try to
win some free-kicks, corners and throws in the West Ham half. Any attempt to
play through the hosts is not bearing any fruit whatsoever.
27 mins - Brighton just have not learnt. Vickers passes straight to Lee and
he is in. He bursts past two defenders and shoots powerfully, but it's too
close to Wray, who makes the save.
24 mins - Fanimo slides in on Rea this time and wins the ball cleanly. He
crosses low and Turgott gets in front of his marker, but his effort is easy
for Wray. Moments later, Rea goes in hard on Fanimo and concedes a foul.
21 mins - Hall robs Cooper and gets to the byline. He crosses for Lee, who
drags his first-time left-foot shot wide of the post. Good chance. Lee will
be disappointed to have missed the target there.
20 mins - This is one-way traffic. Potts crosses and the ball is headed
clear to Fanimo. Hall picks up possession and hammers a low shot a yard or
two wide from the edge of the box. If West Ham keep this up, the tie could
be over by half-time.
18 mins - Close to No2 and, perhaps, game over. Hall runs down the right and
feeds Lee. He has Fanimo in acres to his left and plays the left winger in.
His first touch is a little bit loose and his shot hits Wray's legs. The
ball bounces back to the winger and he finds Hall. Lee then finds Turgott,
whose shot bounces wide of the far post.
16 mins - GOAL! That goal looked on as soon as the goalkeeper lined up his
wall. Lee stepped up and curled his shot over the wall and inside the
left-hand post. Wray had no chance. That's his 14th goal of the season on
his 19th appearance.
15 mins - More messing about at the back from Brighton and Wray's clearance
is straight to Powell. He heads down to Hall, who is taken out by Cooper on
the edge of the box. Elliot Lee fancies this one...
14 mins - A second corner for Brighton as left-back Rea overlaps and Young
slides in. Powell heads clear at the near post and MacFarlane volleys well
wide. No alarms yet for birthday boy Larkins.
12 mins - Brighton are taking chances at the back. A header to Wray forces
the goalkeeper outside his penalty area and Powell half-charges the kick
down. It drops to MacFarlane, who is instantly challenged by Fanimo.
11 mins - Taylor Miles fouls Barry inside the West Ham half. The free-kick
is taken shot and nearly turns into a disaster as Elliot Lee nearly cuts out
a square pass. Seconds later, another wayward pass puts Hall away. He tries
to play in Powell to his left, but the pass is cut out.
9 mins - Nick Haycock is out on the edge of his technical area shouting
instructions. He will have been pleased with the start, but not with
Turgott's long-range shot that bounces a long way side of the target.
7 mins - Brighton win the first corner as Cumming-Bart runs at Potts. The
full-back thinks that should have been a goal kick. Barry rolls the corner
deep to Levy, but his cross-shot flies wide. Goal kick.
5 mins - A first bit of work defensively for Kenzer Lee and he does well,
beating Goodwin to the ball and hooking inside for Powell to prevent a
throw.
4 mins - Aside from a couple of hurried clearances, Brighton have hardly had
a kick so far. The Hammers back four have all had a touch now, as has
Larkins the goalkeeper. West Ham settling down nicely. Lee holds off his
defender from Fanimo's inside pass, but his ball for Potts is too strong and
goes out for a throw.
2 mins - Really bright start from the Hammers as Powell's header finds Hall.
He spins away from his marker and is fouled 30 yards out. Hall himself takes
the free-kick left-footed and curls the ball just wide of the post.
Goalkeeper Wray was struggling to keep that out if it was on target.
1 min - West Ham attack from the off and the ball is worked wide left to
Fanimo. He crosses, but gets it wrong and the ball flies into the claret
seats behind.

7.01pm - West Ham will kick-off, shooting towards the Sir Trevor Brooking
Stand. Incidentally, Sir Trevor Brooking is here watching tonight's game.

6.59pm - Captain's Dan Potts and Tom Vickers shake hands, as do their
team-mates, and we're nearly ready to go. First, the Hammers and Seagulls
are both going to have a huddle.

6.58pm - The atmosphere is building nicely. There are certainly a few
hundred supporters in the Alpari Stand Lower for this evening's game. The
substitutes are taking their seats in the dugout and the two teams emerge
from the tunnel...

6.45pm - Tonight's game will be a keenly-contested and entertaining affair,
as these FA Youth Cup ties always are. If you want to see the action for
yourself, the game will be replayed as-live on West Ham TV from 6.30pm on
Thursday evening. Back to tonight and Joint Chairman David Gold has been
down to wish the squad the best, as has Dylan Tombides. Both received a warm
welcome and will no doubt have spurred the team on.
Good evening and welcome to the Boleyn Ground for this evening's FA Youth
Cup fourth-round meeting between West Ham United and Brighton and Hove
Albion. The Hammers continue their quest for a fourth FA Youth Cup triumph
by taking on Football League Youth Alliance South East Conference side
Brighton for a place in the last-16.

Both sides will be full of confidence going into the tie, having scored
victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa respectively in the
third round. West Ham followed up that result by winning 3-2 at Chelsea in
the FA Premier Academy League on Saturday, while the Seagulls have not
played a competitive fixture since their 1-0 win over Villa on 13 December.

Academy Director Tony Carr MBE and U18s coach Nick Haycock put the squad
through their paces on the Boleyn Ground pitch on Tuesday to help the
youngsters acclimatise with their unfamiliar surroundings. The pair have a
near full-strength squad to pick from, including first-team players Dan
Potts and Rob Hall, with only striker Dylan Tombides (illness), winger Dymon
Labonne (knee) and defender Declan Hunt (knee) unavailable for selection.

However, Potts and Hall will be joined in the starting XI by third-round
heroes Elliot and Kenzer Lee, as well as England U19 wingers Blair Turgott
and Matthias Fanimo and England U18 defender Leo Chambers.

Today also marks goalkeeper Jake Larkins' 18th birthday. The big stopper has
impressed manager Sam Allardyce in training in recent weeks and will be
eager to impress again in front of the first-team coaching staff and players
- James Tomkins, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and captain Kevin Nolan are all
set to watch tonight's game from the Alpari Stand.

Brighton will be without Southend-on-Sea-born England U18 international
midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey, who scored the Seagulls' goal in their FA
Cup with Budweiser 1-1 draw with Wrexham at the weekend. Forster-Caskey is
the son of former Brighton striker and West Ham fan Nicky Forster.
For those who could not make it down to the stadium this evening to watch
the match live, a full as-live recording will be aired on West Ham TV from
6.30pm on Thursday evening. If you sign-up now, your first month of access
is just £1.99! To log in or subscribe, click on the link below.

West Ham United U18s: Larkins, Young, Potts, K.Lee, Chambers, Turgott,
Miles, Powell, Fanimo, Hall, E.Lee
Subs: Wootton, Shaw, Hurley, Sadlier, Vose

Brighton and Hove Albion U18s: Wray, MacFarlane, Rea, Vickers, Cooper,
Barry, Cumming-Bart, Peake, Goodwin, Tuck, Levy
Subs: Colquhoun, Gray, Cousins, Lall, Benham

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Should we add a Goal Keeper to the January Transfer Wish List?
January 11th, 2012 - 3:14 pm by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Ruud Boffin has played twice for the first team, so far this season, and on
both occasions has made serious goal keeping errors. It does pose the
question, is the Belgian custodian good enough to provide reliable cover to
Robert Green? Sam Allardyce probably has his doubts, because when Green was
out injured earlier in the season, he brought in a PL loan signing as first
team cover. Against Sheffield Wednesday, Boffin was beaten from an acute
angle, which he rightly should have had covered all the way. It was a poor
goal to concede, although questions also have to be asked why the Hammers
defenders allowed the Sheffield Wednesday goal scorer to carry the ball so
far forward, without being challenged.

Stech is the logical understudy to Rob Green, but the youngster's refusal to
sign a new contract, allied to the club's reluctance to pay an appearance
related financial installment to his former club, has conspired to keep him
out of first team contention. Our other keeper, Kuruz, is recovering from
injury and has gone out on loan to assist his rehabilitation, so he is
currently out of the equation. Therefore, it would seem to point to a
keeper being targeted in the January window, probably on loan. After all,
can you imagine a scenario where Green is injured and we have to rely on
Boffin in the run in to our promotion campaign? They would have to bite the
financial bullet and play Stech, as the best of the options currently
available to Sam Allardyce.


The Manager, and the co-owners, should not down play this potential danger,
in much the same way that they failed to add another centre-half in the
summer transfer window. So far this season, we have largely got away with
that one, thanks to the sterling job done by the likes of Tomkins McCartney
and young Danny Potts, but things could have gone somewhat differently. The
club have now moved to rectify that long standing issue, with the loan
acquisition of Dallas FC centre-back, George John. However, he is bit of an
unknown quantity in England and it does beg the question whether John is
ready immediately to step up to the first team? We can only trust that
Allardyce is suitably confident that the player can actually step in and
perform, if called upon to do so.

We obviously need another left sided wide player. The injury absence of
Matt Taylor has caused us problems and it must be addressed. Apparently,
Reading FC's Kebe has been identified as a potential target, but has he the
necessary quality? The jury is out on that one, although he does seem to do
a reasonable job for his current club in the second tier. Perhaps he could
be a short-term solution for the Championship run-in, with consideration
being given to a replacement being sought if we are promoted? Arguably, we
are adequately provided for in central and the right side of midfield. With
Noble, Lansbury, Diop, Nolan, Collison, O'Neill, Sears, Faubert, etc, we
should be ok in those positions.

And so, to the burning issue of our strike force. arguably Carlton Cole and
Sam Baldock have plenty of goals in them and should form an effective strike
partnership. However, it has to be admitted that the form of Carew and
Piquionne is proving fustrating beyond words. Carew should have more than
enough left in the tank to do a job at Championship level, but a return of 2
goals, so far this season, is just not good enough. While, similiarly,
Piquionne should also be an effective performer at this level, but it has
not happened so far this season. Rumour has it that Wolves are seeking an
experienced striker, for a reasonable fee, and have identified Piquionne as
an possible option. Perhaps that would now be a deal that would suit the
player and both football clubs.

Beyond the four main strikers, Nouble has done reasonably well since
returning from his loan period at Gillingham and young Robert Hall is an
outstanding prospect. Whether Hall can provide the goal scoring solution,
at this particular juncture, is open to debate, but he should definitely be
given more first team match time, perhaps primarily from the bench. While,
Nouble needs to dispell the doubts that he is worth retaining beyond the
current season or a permanent move to Gillingham could beckon. Sam
Allardyce is plainly unhappy with the efficiency of his strikers, the stats
illustrate the problem and it is clear that the goal conversion to chances
created ratio is just not good enough. It is likely that Piquionne will be
sold/moved on and Allardyce will look to add at least one new striker,
possibly two. Carew will possibly survive, but he needs to improve his
performance levels, and quickly, in the promotion run-in.

We have all been following the ongoing Jordan Rhodes saga and it has to said
that he looks a very good option for us. Unfortunately, the club did not
back up its early interest with a solid c.£5m bid, before the PL clubs
caught on to his potential. Even now, after Rhodes' recent 5 goal
performance, they are allegedy considering an increased bid of £4.5m, which
may well be a case of too little, too late. Certainly, if the club could
pull off a deal now, in the current circumstances, it would be a major coup.
We should probably keep an eye on the rumours that we are interested in
signing Johnson from Fulham. Knowing West Ham's track record, it sounds
like a deal that they might well go for! Again, Johnson should have the
ability to come in and do a good job, but is his fitness/injury record
suspect? The last thing we need is to buy an injury prone striker.
Elsewhere, it seems that Billy Sharp is to sign for Leicester City and
Zamora may well stay at Fulham. Perhaps we should try to tempt Southampton
by make a suitably attractive offer for Ricky Lambert and Adam Lallana? Not
only would we get two good players, but we would undermine our major rivals
in the bargain, a la Man Utd buying Andy Cole from Newcastle Utd all those
years ago! Another player that I really rate is Andy King at Leicester
City, who has the potential to become a PL quality goal scoring midfielder.
I seriously doubt if we have the ambition to pursue such deals or whether
either of the clubs in question would be silly enough to go for it, even if
we did, but as the old saying goes, 'if you do not ask, you do not get!'

At the moment, one can only guess where the sigings are going to come from
in this current transfer window? There is little doubt that the squad needs
three or four additions. Ideally, one would hope that they are players that
can not only contribute to a successful promotion campaign, but also
perform well next season in the PL. However, we may not be in a position
to secure that type of dual purpose player in this window, and the
aquisitions may be principallyabout our short-term objective of gaining
promotion. Indeed, checking out the news yesteday evening, we have been
linked with a number of players that do not exactly set the pulse racing,
but might possibly, at a stretch of the imagination, do a job this season.
Amongst these are a 30 year old Japanese hotshot from the J-League, Guy
Demel's half brother from the French league and a Barca B league striker!
However, the most off-the-wall story that has appeared this week is the
Daily Express speculative peice that the 33 year old Frank Lampard Jnr could
be open to rejoining the Hammers next season, provided we achieve promotion.
An interesting suggestion, but one that would seem fairly unlikely,
considering the history of bad blood between the players and the West Ham
faithful. Still, who knows, stranger things have happened I suppose!

Finally, the early FA Cup exit does not bother me that much. The
Championshp and winning automatic promotion is our No. 1 priority this
season. I love the FA Cup competition and usually want the club to go as
far as possible, but this season we can do without further involvement.
More significant was the way in which some recent worrying tendencies were
were in evidence yet again. Principally, our inabilty to finish the chances
that we carve out; but also the goal keeping issue, the lack of cover at
centre-back and the need for adequate cover for Matt Taylor on the left
flank. Sam Allardyce is clearly aware of these issues and we can only hope
that he quickly finds adequate solutions.

Regardless, we still must remind ourselves that we are currently level with
Southamption on points and 2nd on GD, despite the fact that all has not gone
completely smoothly this season. Will our January acquisitions make a
difference, will things suddenly click, in the crucial final third of the
season, or is this going to a close run promotion campaign, (hopefully)
achieved via more attrition and the grinding out positive results? Only
time will tell?

In the meantime, COYI! And a very belated Happy New Year to all readers of
and contributors to WHTID.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harry to nick Nick off Hammers
Published: Today
The Sun

TOTTENHAM are ready to hijack West Ham's move for Evian striker Yannick
Sagbo. Manager Harry Redknapp flew out to see Evian's French League Cup
clash with Metz on Sunday. Sagbo, 23, is the half-brother of Upton Park
defender Guy Demel and boss Sam Allardyce is set to swoop. But Redknapp has
the means to blow the Hammers out of the water. He sees Sagbo as a cheaper
alternative to Marseille's Loic Remy after they demanded £18m for their
striker. Spurs are willing to offer Roman Pavlyuchenko in part exchange but
Marseille want cash for Remy.


REALLY!! Harry in "I'm gonna nick another clubs transfer target shocker" -
normal service resumed.... PeterR

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jimmy riddle for West Ham
Published 22:30 11/01/12 By James Nursey
The Mirror

West Ham target Jimmy Kebe has told the Championship high flyers to up their
£12,000-a-week offer. Reading's Mali international winger is set to be out
of contract in the summer and has snubbed offers to sign a new deal. The
Royals are willing to sell Kebe this month rather than lose him on a Bosman,
but the 27-year-old wants better personal terms to join the Hammers. West
Ham are also in talks with Japan striker Ryoichi Maeda, who is available on
a free. The 30-year-old Jubilo Iwata forward, who was at West Ham on
Wednesday, has won the J-League Golden Boot award twice in three seasons.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hall sees double as West Ham thump Brighton in Youth Cup
London24
Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
8:59 PM

West Ham United 4 Brighton & Hove Albion 1

Robert Hall scored twice as West Ham's Academy side eased into the fifth
round of the Fa Youth Cup with a convincing victory at Upton Park on
Wednesday night.
The Hammers fielded two players in Hall and captain Dan Potts who had played
in West Ham's senior team at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and that added
experience and class proved too hot for the Seagulls to handle. In fact, the
impressive Hall went close after just two minutes when his 20-yard free kick
slipped inches wide with the keeper struggling to get there. But on 15
minutes they went one better as they grabbed the opening goal. Hall was
fouled just outside the box and young striker Elliot Lee stepped up to lift
his free kick over the wall and into the corner.

Matthias Fanimo almost added a second three minutes later when he found
space in the box, only to see his shot blocked, while Hall dragged a shot
inches wide after good work down the flank by Potts. At this stage West Ham
were well on top, sparked by their lively forwards and they again went close
on 20 minutes when Fanimo squared to Elliot Lee whose shot beat the keeper
and the post. Lee was denied on 26 minutes when a terrible defensive pass by
Brighton allowed him a run in on goal. He sprinted into the area, but his
shot was well saved by Oliver Wray in the Albion goal. The closest Brighton
came was on 34 minutes. They played the ball around in front of the West Ham
penalty area and when it fell for Douglas Tuck, the midfielder shot just
past the post with Hammers keeper Jake Larkins struggling to get there.

That was a rare bright moment for the visitors though and on 39 minutes the
Hammers increased their lead. Hall cut in from the right and his low shot
hit the net, despite Wray getting a hand to it. Hall almost added a third a
couple of minutes later as he forced a fine save from the Brighton keeper,
but there seemed no stopping West Ham on this form. Brighton did start the
second half much brighter without being able to test Larkins and as the game
went on the Hammers were back in the ascendancy and put the game beyond the
Seagulls on 63 minutes. Potts fine run and combination with Hall ended with
him being felled by Glenn Rea and though the penalty decision was slightly
harsh, Hall did not worry as he blasted the spot kick in for his second and
West Ham's third.

Brighton earned some consolation on 70 minutes when Chris Cumminng-Bart sent
Larkins the wrong way from the penalty spot, but there never looked like a
way back for Brighton. Hall almost completed his hat-trick on 76 minutes
when he stole into the box on the right hand side, only to see Wray save his
powerful effort with hand and face, while Fanimo also sent a shot flashing
across the face of goal as the Hammers looked to emphasise their advantage.
They managed to do just that with 10 minutes left with the best goal of the
match. Blair Turgott's storming run took him past two defenders and when he
teed up Fanimo, the winger blasted the ball into the net with the keeper
motionless. It was no more than they deserved as West Ham impressively
played out the rest of the game, Elliot Lee even hitting both posts with one
shot as they booked their place in the last 16 of a competition they have
won three times in the past.

West Ham: Larkins, Young, Potts (Shaw 82), Miles (Hurley 86), K Lee,
Chambers, Turgott, Powell, Hall, E Lee, Fanimo (Vose 80).
Unused: Wootton, Sadlier.

Brighton: Wray, MacFarlane, Rea, Vickers, Cooper (Lall 33), Barry,
Cumming-Bart, Peake, Goodwin, Tuck, Levy.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Albion kids hammered at Upton Park
8:52pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Albion
Guardian Series
By Howard Griggs »


Albion were outclassed as they went down 4-1 away to West Ham in the fourth
round of the FA Youth Cup. England under-19 international Rob Hall scored
twice as the young Hammers bossed proceedings at Upton Park. Elliot Lee and
Matthias Fanimo got the others with Chris Cumming-Bart replying from the
penalty spot for a disappointing Albion side. Jake Forster-Caskey, who
scored the winner in the previous round against Aston Villa last month, was
left out of the side tonight with Saturday's visit of Bristol City in mind.
Albion's youth team have not played since that Villa game and it showed in a
sloppy first-half performance when Hammers went 2-0 ahead and could have had
more. They took the lead on 16 minutes when Ryan Cooper conceded a free-kick
on the edge of the area and Lee curled his shot inside the near post past
Oliver Wray. Lee (twice) and Hall went close as Hammers bossed the opening
half hour. Doug Tuck was unlucky with Albion's first shot at goal on 34
minutes, flashing an effort wide of the far post. But West Ham deservedly
doubled their advantage on 39 minutes when a low shot from the edge of the
area by Hall nestled in the bottom corner. Albion upped things a little
after the break but conceded a third on 63 minutes when Glen Rea brought
down Lee for a penalty which Hall tucked away for his second of the evening.
Cumming-Bart grabbed a consolation for Albion from the penalty spot with 19
minutes remaining after Taylor Miles brought down Vickers. Wray denied Hall
his third on 75 minutes but West Ham made it 4-1 through Fanimo following a
wonderful run by Blair Turgott.
Lee hit the inside of a post with a minute remaining.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com