All the action as it happened from Bishop's Stortford as both teams showed
full commitment in a close contest
20.02.2008
Barclays Premier Reserve League - South
Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: S D Tomlinson
FULL TIME: 2-0
90min - GOAL! - Hines makes it two after forcing an error from Etheridge and
Ashton. The substitute got an initial shot away and then followed up to tap
in from close range. It was well deserved for his contribution since coming
on.
90min - It looks like another win for Kevin Keen's side. Both sides have
worked hard but the combination of Zamora and Sears looks to have settled
it.
89min - Outstanding play by Sears sees him get free again. This time he
unselfishly looks for the pass inside but Miller again cannot keep his shot
on target.
87min - Tomkins and Stokes get two good headers in to clear the home side's
lines. Fulham are desperate for the equaliser but it is Miller who has a go
next from distance. The ball flies wide.
86min - Timlin is down after failing to get to grips with Zamora. He needs
some treatment.
84min - Fulham get a chance to respond but Timlin's free-kick is comfortably
claiemd by Wright. A quick counterattack sees Hines race away and nearly get
Sears free. This time Pearce clears but the young forward, playing through
the middle since Hines's arrival on the hour, has got the taste for it now.
83min - GOAL! - Sears makes no mistake. He was always going to take it and
slid the ball to the goalkeeper's right. Etheridge dived the wrong way but
it is doubtful he would have got to the perfectly-placed kick.
81min - Sears wins a penalty. Zamora slid the ball through and the young
forward was too quick for Pearce. As he shaped to shoot, the defender took
his legs.
80min - Zamora has picked up the pace and is dropping deeper into midfield.
He is showing good energy levels for someone still on the way to full
fitness.
79min - Corner to Fulham. Timlin takes and finds Kallio. The Finn's headed
effort is goalbound but Tomkins flings himself in the way. Good defending
77min - We are moving into the closing stages and both sides are cancelling
each other out. It could take a moment of brilliance to win this.
74min - Zamora does well helping out at the back to set the Hammers away.
The No9 has worked tirelessly. Inthat move, Stanislas nearly got Sears free
through the middle but again Fulham regrouped.
72min - The game is a bit scrappy at the moment. Both teams are defending
well - the first goal could well prove the winner tonight.
69min - Tomkins is penalised for a push on Smith. The referee wants a word
and shows the Hammers defender the yellow card.
67min - Zamora skies one after Hines laid the ball off for him. The No9 had
found space superbly but could not keep the shot down.
65min - Hines does well on the right flank to win a corner. He has looked
very lively. Stanislas's corner comes to nothing.
64min - Nathan Ashton is the third Fulham player to be cautioned after a
challenge on Hines. Lewis Smith is coming on for Johnson, with the
orange-booted US international getting a breather after a tough test up
against N'Gala and Tomkins.
63min - Collison releases Zamora to burst forward. His long-range effort
goes into Etheridge's hands. Then Hines tricks his way into the box before
shooting low. The ball comes to Sears and his snap-shot is saved.
60min - Zavon Hines comes on for Jack Jeffery. Sears moves in from the wing
to join Zamora through the middle with Hines going out to the right.
59min - Stokes wins a free-kick in the right-hand corner. Stanislas takes it
and picks out Tomkins. The defender's header is on target but deflects
against a Fulham head and away for a corner. Fulham get that one away
safely.
57min - Collison is starting to win the midfield battle. He sets Stokes away
and he tries his luck. Again the ball misses the goal.
55min - Tomkins does well to deny Johnson with a sliding tackle. Both teams
are up for the contest despite the cold conditions.
54min - Collison does brilliantly to leave Timlin in his wake in midfield
before surging forward. The captain lets fly from 30 yards but his shot
sails high and wide.
52min - Zamora's header is cleared off the line after he outjumped
Etheridge. In truth, the Fulham defender on the line had a fairly
comfortable clearance, having read the situation well.
50min - Fantastic touch from Zamora to control the ball on the halfway line.
The ball was dropping out of the sky at some pace but he killed it on his
instep before trying to get Sears away. It came after some confusion between
Wright and Tomkins before the ball was cleared.
49min - This half has not really got going yet. A few mis-placed passes and
a couple of hefty challenges have been about it so far.
47min - A speculative effort from Brown flies over the bar. Wright was never
going to be troubled by that.
46min - A change for Fulham at half-time. Neil Etheridge is on in goal for
Baptista.
HALF-TIME
45min - Well played Stanislas to track back and help defend a Fulham
breakaway. The visitors still get the chance to shoot - but Timlin is off
target from long range.
43min - Sears shows more attacking intent, this time on the left - having
switched flanks with Stanislas. Those two have been the brightest for the
home side.
42min - Incisive play from Zamora splits the Fulham defence. His pass found
Stanislas to the left of goal and his firm shot was only just parried away
for a corner. From that, Stokes gets the chance to shoot but his effort is
wayward.
41min - Ehui gets a caution for kicking the ball away when Stokes was
awarded a free-kick.
38min - Johnson wins a corner for Fulham when his shot is blocked by a
combination of N'Gala and Tomkins. The unmarked Ismael Ehui hits the post
with a header from the resulting set-piece - it is questionable whether
Wright would have got there.
36min - Zamora is harrying the Fulham defence when ever he can. Good play
from the striker sees him pick out the advancing Spence who has a go from
distance. The shot was never going to cause Baptista any concern, though.
35min - A yellow card for Timlin after his foul on Miller. The left-back was
just too quick for the Fulham No8.
34min - Timlin sends in another free-kick into the West Ham United area.
Pearce is up from the back and meets it on the volley but cannot keep the
shot on target.
33min - Collison fouls Johnson and Fulham get a free-kick. After bright
play, Johnson gets the ball again but N'Gala sends him tumbling with a firm
but fair challenge.
31min - Zamora shows good thinking to evade two challenges on the halfway
line. He then has the presence of mind to see Sears racing away again on the
right. The youngster receives the ball and ultimately wins a corner.
Stanislas takes and Fulham clear.
29min - Zamora shows good strength to hold off Pearce. He feeds Collison,
who then looks for Stanislas surging up the left. The ball runs out of play
though before the young winger can get to it.
27min - Some strong challenges are going in. The game has been played in a
good spirit, however. N'Gala does well to deny Wayne Brown possession near
his own goal. Both rearguards are on top.
25min - Two good crosses fly in, first from Stanislas and then from Sears
but both times Fulham get the ball away.
23min - Zamora has not had too many touches. He is up against two
experienced centre-backs in Pearce and Finland international Toni Kallio, a
29-year-old with 35 caps.
21min - Timlin takes it right-footed and his effort goes up and over the
wall. It seems a certain goal until Wright puts out a palm and gets it away
to safety. Good save.
20min - N'Gala is penalised for a foul on Wayne Brown. Fulham get a
free-kick in a dangerous position.
18min - The referee wants a word with Fulham midfielder Michael Timlin, with
the 22-year-old Irishman not happy about a challenge.
17min - Sears really is quick. He races away down the right after a neat
pass from Jeffery. He knows the way to goal too, with 20 goals in 16 games
for the U18s this season.
16min - Corner to West Ham United. Stanislas takes from the right but
despite good delivery, Fulham get the benefit of an offside flag when the
ball is played back in.
15min - Fulham's best chance so far falls to Johnson after the ball is
squared from the right. From a central position, the American hits it first
time but his shot sails over.
14min - Collison does well to win the ball from Elliott. It is also a good
test for the Hammers skipper tonight as he is up against the experienced
33-year-old New Zealand defensive midfielder who has more than 50 caps for
his country.
12min - Ashley Miller tests Baptista with a cross from the right that the
keeper has to claim from under the crossbar.
11min - Another speculative Fulham shot, this time from Simon Elliott. Again
the effort leaves Wright untroubled.
10min - N'Gala does well to deny Johnson a sight of goal. Again the Hammers
go on the counterattack but Fulham stop the danger early this time.
9min - Sears again races away beyond the Fulham defence. Another fine cross
this time looks destined for Zamora's head until Baptista comes out to claim
off the striker's head.
9min - James Tomkins does well to force Johnson into the corner and then
sees the ball run out of play for a goalkick. The England U19 defender is in
for a tough test against the experienced US international.
8min - Straight up the other end, Sears races away on the right and finds
Jeffery with a lovely pass from the byline. The No10 cannot keep his
first-time shot on target though and he too clears the crossbar.
7min - Bondz N'Gala does well to clear as Fulham get their first passing
movement going. Fulham then get a chance for goal through Nathan Ashton but
the No3's speculative effort flies over Richard Wright's goal.
5min - Zamora does well to feed Stanislas who then tricks his way across the
pitch before finding Sears. However, the move breaks down with the defence
closing out the young attacker.
4min - Stanislas lets fly with a fierce shot from Sears crossfield pass. A
Fulham defender gets in the way and the ball runs out to Tony Stokes who
tests Ricardo Baptista in the visitors' goal with a firm low shot.
3min - West Ham United try to build on the left through Junior Stanislas. He
is playing wide on that flank with Freddie Sears out on the right. Both will
look to support Zamora and Jeffery as and when they can.
1min - Bobby Zamora gets us under way, rolling the ball to Jack Jeffery.
KICK-OFF
6.56pm - Jack Collison leads out West Ham United to a good reception from
the crowd.
6pm - Welcome to a freezing Woodside Park for this evening's reserve-team
fixture against Fulham. Kevin Keen's men can go second in the table with
victory against a Fulham side who sit one point and one place behind the
Hammers. Richard Wright and Bobby Zamora both feature, with Zamora having
hit a hat-trick on his first game back for the reserves last week - a 4-1
defeat of Birmingham City.
Lineups
West Ham United: Richard Wright, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Ashley Miller, Junior Stanislas, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Jack Jeffery
(Zavon Hines 59), Bobby Zamora, Freddie Sears
Subs not used: Adam Street, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Tom Harvey, Ryan O'Neill,
Anthony Edgar
Fulham: Ricardo Baptista (Neil Etheridge 46), Elliot Omozusi, Nathan Ashton,
Ian Pearce, Toni Kallio, Simon Elliott, Wayne Brown, Michael Timlin, Joe
Anderson, Eddie Johnson (Lewis Smith 64), Ismael Ehui
Subs not used: Lewis Cumber, Ashley Thompson
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sears and Hines on song - WHUFC
Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines were on target as the reserves - featuring
Bobby Zamora - won yet again.
20.02.2008
West Ham United reserves 2-0 Fulham reserves
West Ham United reserves maintained their fine run of form with an excellent
home victory against Fulham at Bishop's Stortford.
Goals from Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines in the last seven minutes made it
three straight wins for Kevin Keen's men and moved them up to second in the
Barclays Premier Reserve League South. The club, who also owed a debt to
fit-again Bobby Zamora's classy contribution in his second full game inside
eight days, are four points behind Aston Villa, although the leaders do have
two games in hand.
It was a competitive encounter throughout with the visitors fielding plenty
of experienced performers - notably internationals Toni Kallio and Simon
Elliott, of Finland and New Zealand, alongside young defender Eilliot
Omozusi, US star striker Eddie Johnson and former Hammers centre-back Ian
Pearce. West Ham United had a young side out, with goalkeeper Richard Wright
and striker Zamora the only senior players on view.
In freezing conditions, West Ham United were the first to show with Junior
Stanislas and Tony Stokes firing in efforts on goal in four minutes. It was
to be a night of long-range shooting with Wright and Ricardo Baptista in the
Fulham goal largely equal to everything that came their way. The next
opportunities saw home forward Jack Jeffery and then visting defender Nathan
Ashton both clear the crossbar when well placed.
Johnson was offering plenty of good movement for Fulham, as would be
expected of a 23-year-old with 31 caps for the United States while Sears
showed frequent bursts of electric pace and good crossing ability from his
first-half role on the right wing. Fulham thought they had scored in the
21st minute when Michael Timlin curled a free-kick up and over the wall but
Wright produced a superb one-handed save.
Timlin was soon to go into the book for a late challenge, and was followed
by Ismael Ehui as Fulham underlined their determination to leapfrog West Ham
United in the table, having began the day one point and one place behind.
Ehui's 41st-minute caution came just moments after he had seen a header
crash against the post - it was the closest either side had come to a
first-half goal. Stanislas also had a good effort saved by Baptista just
before the break, thanks to clever play from Zamora.
Encouragingly, the No9 grew in stature after the break - as he did in
scoring a second-half hat-trick in last week's 4-1 reserves win against
Birmingham City. On 50 minutes, he showed fantastic ability to trap a ball
travelling out of the sky at speed before two minutes later, he beat
substitute keeper Neil Etheridge to the ball only to see his goalbound
header cleared off the line. Reserve-team regulars Tomkins and captain Jack
Collison also began to dominate with some crunching challenges.
Keen made a change on the hour bringing on Hines for Jeffery and it was to
pay dividends. The young replacement showed great attacking verve and in
turn his arrival allowed Sears to assume his more natural position through
the middle - alongside Zamora. Soon afterwards, Johnson made way for Fulham
- taking with it their best attacking threat as West Ham United went close
through Zamora, after he was picked out by Hines' precise pass.
Either side of that attempt, Fulham's Ashton and Tomkins both went into the
referee's notebook with both sides showing full commitment - although
largely the tackles were firm but fair. Against the run of play, Kallio
thought he had opened the scoring in the 79th minute only for Tomkins to
fling himself in the way. Two minutes later, Sears was set free superbly by
Zamora and the young striker - who has 20 goals in 16 Under-18 games this
campaign - raced away from Ian Pearce, only to be brought down in the box.
There was no doubt in Sears' mind that he would take the kick and he sent
Etheridge the wrong way with a composed finish. Fulham tried to fight back
with a period of sustained pressure but the hosts' rearguard stood firm and
Hines always looked dangerous at the other end. Sears then set up Ashley
Miller, only for the left-back to fire over and then also clear the bar with
another speculative shot. No matter, in added time, Hines showed great
persistence to force an initial chance and then slotted into the net after a
mix-up in the Fulham defence. It sealed an excellent night's work all round.
West Ham United: Richard Wright, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Ashley Miller, Junior Stanislas, Tony Stokes, Jack Collison, Jack Jeffery
(Zavon Hines 59), Bobby Zamora, Freddie Sears
Subs not used: Adam Street, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Tom Harvey, Ryan O'Neill,
Anthony Edgar
Fulham: Ricardo Baptista (Neil Etheridge 46), Elliot Omozusi, Nathan Ashton,
Ian Pearce, Toni Kallio, Simon Elliott, Wayne Brown, Michael Timlin, Joe
Anderson, Eddie Johnson (Lewis Smith 64), Ismael Ehui
Subs not used: Lewis Cumber, Ashley Thompson
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stanislas on the right path - WHUFC
Junior Stanislas has had a good week as he continues his development at U18
and reserve-team level
20.02.2008
Junior Stanislas is aiming to continue his progress at reserve-team level
after some promising performances of late.
The attacking midfielder particularly played a significant part off the
bench in last week's 4-1 success against Birmingham City. Kevin Keen
introduced him at half-time with the score at 1-1 after Jack Collison had
cancelled out Birmingham's opener. Stanislas's arrival helped provide extra
impetus behind Bobby Zamora that paved the way for the No9 to score a
comeback hat-trick.
"Kevin wanted to change things around a bit, he felt we needed to push on in
the final third and told me to come on, get involved and try to help change
the game," Stanislas said. "He said get on the ball and do what you can for
the team. Jack had got a goal and then Bobby went on and scored a great
hat-trick, it was good to be involved and Kevin told me I had worked hard
and done well."
Stanislas figured again when the Hammers won 2-0 in the latest reserve-team
fixture played at Bishop's Stortford on Wednesday night. These are good
times as he also continued his great form with the Under-18s at the weekend
by scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win at league leaders Southampton. "I
am enjoying it, playing for the reserves has made me more confident and of
course, you are learning alongside some of the senior players as well, it's
good.
"My aim is to hold down a regular place in the reserve team, develop more as
a player at that level and still push on and get better in the Under-18's.
Playing reserves is a step-up, the game is much quicker and you have to
learn that you don't get as much time on the ball, so you have to be
thinking ahead all of the time."
Stanislas has also had another taste of the England Under-19 set-up already
familiar to Jordan Spence, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears - all of whom
should also be on view this evening. He was involved in the 2-0 friendly win
against Croatia earlier this month having also got a taste of playing
against Germany last November. "It was a good experience, I loved it -
everyone wants to play for their country and you do think you must be doing
something right for to be picked.
"But it only makes you want to go on and do more. In the last match, I came
off the bench and had a few minutes and my aim is to have even more minutes
on the pitch for both West Ham and England. With international football,
it's all about keeping the ball and moving it fast as well. I had moral
support from Tomka and Fred up there, and I really enjoyed it, so hopefully
there is more to come if I keep working hard at my game."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Palace visit holds key - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 20th February 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's under 18s face Crystal Palace this weekend knowing that a win
could take them to the top of the Premier Academy League. Tony Carr's
youngsters have been in excellent form of late going unbeaten in their last
six games, beating current league leaders Southampton and title favourites
Arsenal along the way. The Hammers are currently just one point behind
league leaders Southampton who they beat 1-0 last Saturday morning thanks to
a second half Junior Stanislas strike. Palace - currently sixth in the table
- did the Hammers a huge favour last weekend by beating 10-man Arsenal 2-1
with an 88th minute winner. The game - which is being held at Palace's
training ground in Copers Cope Road, Beckenham - kicks off at 11am this
Saturday (23rd February). Elsewhere, current league leaders Southampton face
a tricky trip to Ipswich whilst Arsenal have the weekend off.
Premier Academy League Group A: current table (top)
1. Southampton P22 Pts40 GD-1
2. WEST HAM UTD P22 Pts39 GD+16
3. Arsenal P19 Pts36 GD+29
4. Fulham P20 Pts35 GD+7
5. Portsmouth P21 Pts34 GD-2
6. Crystal Palace P20 Pts31 GD+12
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reserves grab late win - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 20th February 2008
By: Matthew O'Greel
Late goals from Fred Sears and Zavon Hines secured a win for Kevin Keen's
reserves at Woodside Park tonight. The two youngsters struck in the closing
stages to secure a vital three points for the stiffs which lifts them above
Reading into second place in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South. The
Hammers - who featured no regular first teamers in tonight's side - were
good value for their win although they had to wait until the 83rd minute
before opening the scoring. Bobby Zamora - still feeling his way back to
full fitness - slipped the ball through to young strike partner Sears who
was hauled down in the box by former Hammer Ian Pearce. The 18-year-old
hot-shot stepped up to take the spot kick himself and made no mistake,
sending substitute goalkeeper Etheridge the wrong way. The second goal
arrived in the final minute of normal time when sub Zavon Hines finished
from close range to secure a deserved win for the Hammers. West Ham now
trail current league leaders Aston Villa by just four points, although the
Villains have two games in hand after their fixture with Chelsea - scheduled
for Monday evening - was postponed.
West Ham United: Wright, Spence, Tomkins, N'Gala, Miller, Stanislas, Stokes,
Collison, Jeffery, Zamora, Sears.
Subs not used: Street, Hines, Fitzgerald, Harvey, O'Neill, Edgar.
Fulham: Baptista (Etheridge 46), Omozusi, Ashton, Pearce, Kallio, Elliott,
Brown, Timlin, Anderson, Johnson (Smith 60), Ehui.
Subs not used: Cumber, Thompson.
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Hammers' Pompey clash postponed - Daily Mail
Last updated at 14:03pm on 20th February 2008
West Ham's home match with Portsmouth on Saturday April 5 has been postponed
due to major London Underground engineering works taking place on that day.
Meanwhile, Anton Ferdinand is desperate to face Fulham after the Hammers had
no game last weekend. "I can't wait to get back to playing," he said. "The
game on Saturday is what you train all week for. As long as we as a backline
keep doing our job, we have a chance."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble targeting Cottagers scalp - TeamTalk
Mark Noble insists West Ham must improve results against some of the Premier
League's strugglers if European football is to return to the club. Noble
missed the home clash with Birmingham, where he had been selected as a
substitute, after feeling out-of-sorts in the warm-up, but he is desperate
to get back into the action on Saturday at Fulham, and determined to help
the Hammers to a victory. "We need to take the points from these games,"
Noble told the Newham Recorder. "They are the games that are going to get
you into the European places, but Fulham is going to be a very tough game.
"They got an unlikely win against Aston Villa, so we need to go there with a
strong team and put a performance in."
The arrival of Scott Parker during the summer suggested that Noble may have
found it more difficult to carve out a regular place in the West Ham first
team. But a persistent knee injury for the former Newcastle midfielder has
meant that Noble has been involved in 20 of the Hammers' 25 Premier League
games so far this campaign. Last season, it was Noble's arrival in the first
team that helped spark the revival and survival in the Premier League, and
the midfield star believes that West Ham should treat this year's run-in in
the same way. "We need to push on and get in the European places and in that
respect we have nothing to lose," he said. "It is a similar situation to
last season at this stage.
"Everyone thought we were down so we just cracked on and gave it everything,
and now nobody expects us to get into Europe, so we can really give it
everything to put the points on the table."
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West Ham whiz Stanislaus delighted with progress
tribalfooball.com - February 20, 2008
England U19 winger Junior Stanislaus is delighted with his progress this
season at West Ham United. He told whufc.com: "I am enjoying it, playing for
the reserves has made me more confident and of course, you are learning
alongside some of the senior players as well, it's good. "My aim is to hold
down a regular place in the reserve team, develop more as a player at that
level and still push on and get better in the Under-18's. Playing reserves
is a step-up, the game is much quicker and you have to learn that you don't
get as much time on the ball, so you have to be thinking ahead all of the
time."
Stanislas has also had another taste of the England Under-19 set-up already
familiar to Jordan Spence, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears - all of whom
should also be on view this evening. He was involved in the 2-0 friendly win
against Croatia earlier this month having also got a taste of playing
against Germany last November. "It was a good experience, I loved it -
everyone wants to play for their country and you do think you must be doing
something right for to be picked. "But it only makes you want to go on and
do more. In the last match, I came off the bench and had a few minutes and
my aim is to have even more minutes on the pitch for both West Ham and
England. With international football, it's all about keeping the ball and
moving it fast as well. I had moral support from Tomka and Fred up there,
and I really enjoyed it, so hopefully there is more to come if I keep
working hard at my game."
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