All the action as it happened from Bishop's Stortford as United defeated a
strong Royals side to go top
18.03.2008
Barclays Premier Reserve League
Tuesday 18 March 2008
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: M D Stewart
Full time - 2-1
The referee blows up on an entertaining contest that saw two first-half
goals from West Ham United secure victory, although there was a late scare
with Dave Kitson's consolation. United go top of the Premier Reserve League,
one point ahead of Aston Villa and two in front of tonight's opponents.
90min - GOAL! - Kitson gets a goal back from close range after good play by
Sigurdsson on the right wing. The substitute's low cross evaded the home
defence and the No9 made no mistake.
90min - Just as the board goes up to indicate three minutes of added time,
Kitson heads a half-chance on to the roof of the net.
89min - Sigurdsson plays a nice one-two with Kitson but N'Gala shows he is
alert and clears. Another corner to Reading.
89min - Boa Morte is desperate for a goal. He set Hines away and then burst
into the box waiting for the cross but Reading were able to cut out the ball
in.
86min - A great piece of quick-thinking by Tomkins. Both he and Kitson were
on the floor as the ball was pumped forward but the towering defender leant
forward on his knees and headed away bravely. That set the hosts on the
counter and the move finished with Hines flashing a shot just wide before
Collison tried his luck from distance.
85min - The final change for Reading. Gylfi Sigurdsson is on for Cisse.
84min - A half-chance for Hines runs wide. United have a chance of nicking
one on the counterattack as Reading are pushing hard to get back in the game
and committing men forward.
83min - Spence needs treatment after just getting in a vital challenge on
Kitson as the striker was shooting for goal. Reading claimed a foul but the
referee has given a goalkick.
81min - Well played Street. Payne was under pressure from a high ball pumped
forward but the England youth international keeper claims with aplomb. He
has really taken his chance to shine and along with the injured Marek Stech
is one of two fine young shot-stoppers doing well at the club under the
guidance of Ludek Miklosko.
80min - Hines shows a neat bit of skill to trick Cisse into a foul. The
young striker needs treatment. Reid takes the free-kick and it runs through
to Federici after being missed by everyone in the area.
77min - Kebe gets a chance to run but is hindered by his own player. West
Ham United can build from the back again.
76min - Sonko leaps to meet Convey's cross. Again the header flies wide.
75min - Stanislas comes off and Josh Payne enters the fray. A versatile
performer who can play in defence, the substitute is going to sit in a
holding midfeld role.
75min - Another Reading corner. Tomkins does superbly to tackle Duberry and
get the ball away. It comes in again from Karacan but Street plucks it out
of the sky.
74min - James Henry is on for Fae.
73min - De La Cruz makes inroads on the right wing and eventually wins a
corner. West Ham United have had to defend plenty of these but do so again
to good effect as Tomkins forces Duberry to head wide with close attention.
71min - Collison's tackle on Convey leads to a corner. Street has to be
alert to save from Sonko's header but he was not troubled too much.
69min - Boa Morte, Reid and Hines are working hard to get things going
again. Reading have dominated the recent exchanges.
67min - Stokes is off and Lee Hales is on. The No6 seems a bit dazed as he
departs but he is able to walk off.
65min - Street pulls of a great save to deny Convey after Kitson just
managed to beat Tomkins to a flicked header. The goalkeeper was out quickly
and spread himself well. From the resulting corner, he comes and collects.
We have another stoppage as Stokes requires more treatment.
64min - After two corners, Street is able to claim. It is only a brief
respite as Reading come again before Collison wins the ball. He very nearly
gets an attack going but for Duberry's block.
62min - Spence throws himself in the way to block a Convey cross. Corner to
Reading that Collison clears. The visitors are piling on the pressure.
60min - Stokes is back on. Boa Morte is working very hard in attack and has
not allowed Duberry and Sonko to settle. Meanwhile, Spence gets a deep cross
in that Collison is just unable to meet.
58min - Reading are working hard to get back in the game. So far the young
United defence has stood firm and Street has had little to do. The play has
stopped as Stokes is down for treatment.
55min - Well played Widdowson to clear the danger after Kitson had headed on
for Fae to burst into the penalty area. The move ends with Kebe blasting
over the bar.
53min - Stanislas splits the Reading defence but this time Hines falls foul
of the assistant referee's flag.
52min - Stanislas is back on and gets a chance to run at the defence. His
cross picks out Tomkins but the defender had strayed offside.
51min - Duberry is cautioned for a strong challenge that leaves Stanislas on
the floor. The midfielder is getting treatment to his right leg.
50min - Hines does well on the right but is dispossessed just as he is about
to let fly. Reading break again - this is a good game to watch with both
teams looking lively.
48min - Stanislas lofts the ball neatly over the Reading defence for Hines
but Sonko proves too strong for the forward. A swift Reading counterattack
finishes with the visitors earning a corner. Kitson meets it but cannot
direct his header on target.
47min - Boa Morte tries his luck from distance after a good ball out from
midfield by Stokes. Federici was never troubled.
46min - Neither side has made any changes as West Ham United get us under
way.
Half-time - 2-0
45min - We are playing two minutes of added time. Delightful play by Boa
Morte and Collison nearly fashions a chance for Stanislas but the angle
proves too tight.
44min - This time Collison and then Stanislas clear the danger before
Tomkins sets the hosts away. Reading do well to get the ball back and Kitson
picks up the ball. The striker moves forward ten yards before shooting but
Spence deflects it behind for another corner. Tomkins again rises highest -
no mean feat considering the size of most of the Reading team.
42min - Reading try to get going and nearly get an opening when N'Gala slips
only for the defender to recover well. Reading keep going though and De La
Cruz forces Stokes to concede a corner. Convey takes and when the ball lands
at Cisse's feet, N'Gala is in the way to block. Another corner.
40min - GOAL! - Own goal from Sonko. The No5 was put under pressure by Hines
and overhit his backpass. With Federici stranded, the ball raced into the
corner of the net.
39min - Hines and Reid combine well on the left before the latter switches
the play effortlessly to Stanislas on the right. He cuts inside and lets fly
but his shot is straight at Federici. Reading counter quickly but Tomkins is
alive to it and clears.
38min - Hines chases down a dallying Federici and the goalkeeper's clearance
smacks against the striker. It could have gone anywhere but fortunately for
the Royals goes behind to safety.
36min - Collison does it again. He breaks up a Reading attack, races forward
60 yards and then finds the strikers with a precise pass. It comes to
nothing but the intent is there.
34min - Boa Morte splits the Reading defence with a lovely pass through to
Hines. Reid then picks up the play and wins a corner. From it Tomkins
connects but cannot steer the ball on target.
33min - Collison is running this in midfield. First he clearing the danger
in defence, then he is 50 yards forward slipping in Reid on the left. It is
a real captain's performance so far from the 19-year-old. Stokes then gets
in on the act with a low shot that just flies wide.
31min - Boa Morte chases down Sonko as the defender looked to build from the
back. The No10 for West Ham United is putting in a committed display.
29min - After a half-chance for Sonko from a deep cross, Jimmy Kebe then
races away on the left wing and only an outstretched leg from Widdowson
averts the danger. Corner to Reading. Convey takes and finds Duberry but his
header is off target.
28min - GOAL! - An absolutely tremendous finish from Collison, that owed
much to Boa Morte. The Wales Under-21 midfielder burst forward in a central
position, fed Boa Morte and received it back in stride as he entered the
penalty area. Without hesitating, he looked up and curled the ball into the
far corner beyond the outstretched hand of Federici.
25min - Some committed tackles are going in. With the hosts in third and
Reading one point ahead in the table, there is plenty to play for. Aston
Villa are a further point in front at the top of the table and both they and
Reading have played one game fewer than West Ham United.
24min - Bright play from Stanislas pens back the visitors on the right wing.
Duberry eventually gets the ball away. A little period of pressure ends
finally when Spence over-hits his cross from the right.
22min - Widdowson is cautioned for a late challenge on Kitson. Free-kick to
the Royals in a central position, 25 yards from goal. Convey takes it but
hits it straight into the wall.
20min - Widdowson fouls Karacan. Free-kick to Reading in an advanced
right-wing position. Convey takes it and finds Kitson but his angled header
is a good ten yards off target.
19min - Corner to Reading. Convey takes but Tomkins rises highest to beat
Kalifa Cisse to the ball and ease home fears.
17min - Reid twice beats Ulises De La Cruz before crossing in again from the
left. This time Duberry heads away.
16min - A lovely cross from left-back Joe Widdowson, just back from a loan
at Rotherham United, picks out Boa Morte unmarked in front of goal. The
Portuguese forward cannot keep his shot on target though and the chance is
gone.
15min - Luis Boa Morte does well in a forward position to keep possession
despite close Reading attention. He feeds Junior Stanislas on the right wing
but Reading recover to snuff out the danger.
13min - Some last-ditch defending again denies Reading the chance to test
Street. Jordan Spence, at right-back tonight, this time gets in the timely
block.
12min - Stokes win the ball in midfield and a fast break leads to a chance
for Zavon Hines to compete with Sonko for possession. However, the visiting
No5 is too strong and sees the danger out.
10min - Two superb blocks in quick succession by Tomkins deny Reading a
sight of goal after neat hold-up play by Kitson that saw him beat N'Gala and
race through.
8min - Both sides are seeing plenty of the ball. Reid again gets good
service on the left after bright play by Collison. However, the young
winger's cross flies over the bar with Adam Federici in the Reading goal
untroubled.
6min - A fast break on the left from Kitson finishes with a fine cross into
the box that Bondz N'Gala does well to clear.
5min - Much of the home side's attacking intent has come on the left side
with Reid seeing plenty of the ball. The first chance of the match falls to
Jack Collison and he fizzes his shot just wide from 25 yards.
4min - James Tomkins does well to shepherd the ball to safety under pressure
from Dave Kitson. The United No4 is facing a stern test this evening.
3min - Reading are already looking very organised at the back, with Ibrahima
Sonko and Michael Duberry forming an imposing partnership in central
defence.
2min - West Ham United instantly try to build on the left wing but Kyel
Reid's cross into the box goes straight to the visiting keeper Adam
Federici. Within 30 seconds, Reid builds again on the left before the Royals
close out the danger.
1min - Dave Kitson and Jem Karacan get us under way.
KICK-OFF
West Ham United: Adam Street, Jordan Spence, James Tomkins, Bondz N'Gala,
Joe Widdowson, Junior Stanislas (Josh Payne 75), Tony Stokes (Lee Hales 67),
Jack Collison, Kyel Reid, Luis Boa Morte, Zavon Hines
Subs: Ashley Miller, Josh Payne, Anthony Edgar, Tom Harvey
Reading: Adam Federici, Ulises De La Cruz, Ibrahima Sonko, Michael Duberry,
Scott Golbourne, Jimmy Kebe, Kalifa Cisse (Gylfi Sigurdsson 85), Emerse Fae
(James Henry 74), Bobby Convey, Dave Kitson, Jem Karacan
Subs: Alex McCarthy, Oliver Bozanic, Aaron Brown
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Reserves too strong for Reading - WHUFC
Jack Collison and James Tomkins caught the eye as West Ham United beat
Reading on Tuesday
18.03.2008
West Ham United reserves 2-1 Reading reserves
A tremendous display by West Ham United reserves saw Kevin Keen's men defeat
Reading on Tuesday night and take top spot in the southern section of the
Premier Reserve League.
A superb strike from Jack Collison and an Ibrahima Sonko own goal put the
home side in a commanding position before the interval. As well as Sonko,
the visitors had several first-teamers on view including Ulises De La Cruz,
Kalifa Cisse, Michael Duberry, Emerse Fae, Bobby Convey and Dave Kitson, who
was to hit a last-gasp consolation. In contrast, only Luis Boa Morte in the
home ranks has any real top-flight experience but, as has been commonplace
this season, the youngsters were to rise to the challenge.
The home side were quickly on the offensive at Woodside Park with Kyel Reid
seeing plenty of the ball on the left-hand side. The first shot was fired in
on five minutes, with Collison just seeing his effort miss the post. Reading
were always going to be a threat though with Kitson showing his class with
some neat touches and good runs along the channels. One such moment of skill
saw the striker work an opening on ten minutes before Tomkins, as he was to
do all night, intervened with a couple of solid blocks.
United should have taken the lead on 16 minutes when Joe Widdowson, back
from a successful loan at Rotherham United, fired in a superb cross from the
left and picked out Boa Morte. The Portuguese attacker connected with the
ball but could not direct his effort on target. Reading then had a series of
corners and free-kicks with which to apply pressure but Keen's youngsters
were alive to the danger and Adam Street was a calming influence in goal.
The deadlock was finally broken just before the half-hour mark when Collison
played a neat one-two with Boa Morte. As the Reading defenders looked to
pounce, the captain curled an exquisite shot into the far corner of the net
beyond the outstretched arm of Federici. The goal typified Collison's
attacking instincts but he was sharp in defensive positions as well, putting
in some timely tackles and setting the tone for a disciplined team display.
The second came five minutes before the interval with Sonko, under pressure
from Hines, overhitting a back pass that raced past Federici and into the
net.
Reading raised their game after half-time and some keen challenges were
being put in by both sides. Duberry was penalised for one of them, joining
Widdowson, who was booked in the first half, in the book. There were warning
signs for the home side though as Reading's determination saw Jimmy Kebe
getting a sight of goal on 55 mintues only for him to shoot over. That was
followed by Tony Stokes picking up head injury that left him dazed and
ultimately to be replaced by Lee Hales.
The corner count continued to rise in Reading's favour with Street doing
well to claim some dangerous Convey deliveries. The away side introduced
talented youngster James Henry with 15 minutes to play for Fae in the hope
of unlocking a resolute rearguard but still the hosts stood firm. The
arrival of Josh Payne for Junior Stanislas helped to shore things up but it
needed a last-ditch tackle from Spence on Kitson in the 83rd minute to deny
what looked like it would be a certain goal for Reading.
Tomkins and N'Gala were in imperious mood to the end and the former summed
that up by continuing unhindered despite a weighty collision with Sonko that
had left him slightly shaken. An inspired piece of defending in the 86th
minute saw Tomkins win a header even though he was lying on the ground after
a coming together with Kitson. Reading made a late change with Gylfi
Sigurdsson arriving for Cisse and the young substitute was to prove a real
threat in the closing stages.
He had linked up well with Kitson on a couple of occasions before finally
creating a consolation strike for the visitors deep into added time.
Sigurdsson raced along the right flank before crossing low and Kitson was
able to evade his markers for the first time to tuck the ball in from close
range. It was too little, too late though as Keen's men were within seconds
of the final whistle and a fifth straight win.
West Ham United now lead the way at the top of the southern section of the
Premier Reserve League table. Aston Villa are a point behind but have two
games in hand while Reading are a point further back with one game in hand.
United are next in action on 31 March when they go to Chelsea although there
is a still a home game against Derby County to be rearranged as well as the
trip to Arsenal on 21 April.
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Hammers go top - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 18th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Kevin Keen's reserve side went top of the league tonight with an impressive
win against a Reading side packed with first team stars. The young Hammers -
superbly marshalled by Jack Collison - beat the Royals 2-1 at Bishops
Stortford to go top of the Premier Reserve League South. United started the
night in third place in the table, a point behind their opponents who were
themselves a point behind leaders Aston Villa, who are without a game this
week. Reading went into the game featuring a whole host of experienced
players including Dave Kitson, Bobby Convey and Ibrahim Sonko. But they were
no match for the Hammers whose only regular first team player was Luis Boa
Morte, demoted to the reserves as a result of the sending off against
Tottenham last week.
Keen's side took the lead just ahead of the half hour mark when captain
Collison scored a pearler following a one-two with Boa Morte. The young
Welsh internation fed the ball to the Portugese winger who returned the
compliment before Collision curled a superb effort into the corner of
Federici's goal.
The second goal arrived five minutes beofre the break thanks to an own goal
by the hapless Sonko. His backpass to goalkeeper Federici was too strong
leaving the young Australian no chance. The Hammers - not surprisingly given
their advantage - spent much of the second period on the back foot and
goalkeeper Adam Street had to be at his best to deny both Sonko and Convey.
However he was finally beaten in the final minute of the game when a low
cross by substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson was turned in by Dave Kitson. The win
takes the Hammers above Reading and a point clear of former leaders Aston
Villa at the top of the table - although the Villains have two games in
hand.
Premier Reserve league League South (top)
1. West Ham Utd P15 Pts28 GD+15
2. Aston Villa P13 Pts27 GD+20
3. Reading P14 Pts26 GD+16
West Ham United: Street, Spence, Tomkins, N'Gala, Widdowson, Stanislas
(Payne 75), Stokes (Hales 67), Collison, Reid, Boa Morte, Hines.
Subs not used: Miller, Edgar, Harvey.
Goals: Collison (28), Sonko (og 40).
Reading: Federici, De La Cruz, Sonko, Duberry, Golbourne, Kebe, Cisse
(Sigurdsson 85), Fae (Henry 74), Convey, Kitson, Karacan.
Subs not used: McCarthy, Bozanic, Brown.
Goals: Kitson (90).
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Nobby on future - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 18th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Midfielder Nobby Solano has revealed that he has rejected an offer to play
in the MLS in favour of remaning at West Ham United. The 33-year-old
Peruvian, who signed on a free transfer from Newcastle last summer confirmed
that he had turned down a bid by an un-named American side in order to
pursue the offer a one-year contract extention with United. "I'm under
contract with West Ham," he told Puruvian station RPP. "They have spoken to
me regarding a [contract] extension. "The truth is that I feel lucky to be
in England, where the football is currently improving. It's no coincidence
that their teams are achieving things in the Champions League; it shows the
league has grown. "It'd be interesting to finish my career there. I thank
them to have thought of me and it makes me feel proud."
Solano has proved to be an extremely popular figure with supporters this
season. He signed for the Irons on a free transfer last summer from
Newcastle and has scored three goals in his 18 appearances for the club -
including the winner at Fulham last month - so far this season.
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Curbs' beefed up - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 18th March 2008
By: Staff Writer
Alan Curbishley has stressed that the appointment of Gianluca Nani will not
affect his own future at the club. Nani's arrival led to further rumours
that Curbishley's days may be numbered. However the Hammers boss stressed
that he was involved in the entire process to appoint Nani and that he was
looking forward to working alongside the Italian. "After several meetings
and discussions and getting to know each other etcetera I feel that Gianluca
is the person I need to help me in the recruitment area of the club," said
Curbishley. "Certainly at senior level and venturing down into the Academy
level. "The infrastructure of the club when it comes to foreign recruitment
is going to beefed up and give us as much of a chance of securing home grown
talent, foreign talent, young players and experienced players as the other
clubs. We feel perhaps at the moment that we've been lacking. "This sort of
appointment may become the norm in the Premier League; I know other clubs
have gone down this route. The manager has certainly got to be on board with
everything that is done and I have been, certainly involved in the process,
completelely."
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Ljungberg Gives Curbishley His Backing - gola.com
Freddie Ljungberg says he does believe manager Alan Curbishley is taking
West Ham United in the right direction
The Irons' boss has come in for heavy criticism from sections of the Upton
Park faithful this season, who have accused him of prompting incredibly dull
and goal-shy football. Things then worsened when the Hammers decided to
collapse at the back, losing three straight games 4-0. But following the
weekend win over Blackburn Rovers West Ham have stopped the rot and
midfielder Freddie Ljungberg thinks the team can now move forwards - under
Curbishley. "I joined as I thought we were going to build something," said
the former Arsenal man. "That's the goal. We have had a lot of injuries but
we are still up there and we are playing well." Ljungberg also said he's
enjoying the different tactics used by his new club, having made his name as
a Gunner in a 4-4-2 system. "It is fun to play in a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 at West
Ham and it feels great." The Hammers are currently tenth in the table, three
points behind Blackburn but eight ahead of Tottenham.
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Fulham, West Ham move for Tottenham's Mtandari
tribalfootball.com - March 19, 2008
Tottenham risk losing young defender Takura Mtandari as he stalls on
accepting a new contract offer. Juande Ramos wants to keep the versatile
stopper, 18. But Mtandari has been watched by West Ham and Fulham and could
quit White Hart Lane, says The Sun.
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Pantsil committed to West Ham cause
tribalfootball.com - March 18, 2008
West Ham United fullback John Pantsil insists he's happy at Upton Park,
despite failing to nail down a regular first team start. The Ghana
international told whufc.com: "This is how it works. "If you look at the
West Ham team everyone is very good and the manager is doing fantastically
well. Everyone has to wait for his chance to come along. I am still on the
line, waiting for the chance to come."
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Everton short of firepower as Johnson doubtful for Hammers clash - Daily
Mail
Last updated at 15:47pm on 18th March 2008
Andrew Johnson is a major doubt for Everton's clash with West Ham on
Saturday.
The England international damaged his groin at Craven Cottage and will spend
the next few days getting intensive treatment at Everton's Finch Farm
training ground but it is looking likely that he will not be ready until the
Merseyside derby on March 30.
Given Victor Anichebe has a hip problem and James Vaughan has only just had
surgery to correct cartilage damage in his left knee, that could leave
Yakubu as Everton's only fit striker.
With Tim Cahill, Manuel Fernandes and Thomas Gravesen also injured, Everton
are down to the bare bones and Mikel Arteta is hoping the treatment room is
cleared in time for visit of the Hammers — who, ironically, remain keen on
trying to sign £10m-rated Johnson in the summer.
Artetat said: 'We lost AJ and it is very important for us to have him in the
team but we need to get the next three points. We are very short at the
moment and the lads were tired on Sunday. But we can't really say we didn't
put the effort in because we did everything we could. They had a chance,
they scored and we didn't.'
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