All the action as it happened as Kevin Keen's men won their last home game
of the season on Wednesday
09.04.2008
Barclays Premier Reserve League - Southern Section
Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford
Kick-off: 7pm
Referee: R P Whitton
FULL TIME - 2-1
90min - Stokes has another go. Again it is wide but he has been tireless
tonight.
90min - The game's two outstanding performers - Stanislas and Stokes -
combine well for a late chance. Stanislas whipped the ball in from the left
and Stokes met it with a flicked header that only just cleared the goal.
90min - We are playing three minutes of added time.
86min - Nearly a super goal from Hales. The hard-working No8 deceived his
marker with some good skill before teeing himself up for a shot from a
central position. A Derby defender got in the way, as he did again when
Hales had another go seconds later.
84min - Very nearly an outstanding goal from Kearns after delightful
approach play. He played a lovely one-two and burst into the box before
rolling the ball into the corner. At the last moment, the ball hit the post.
Stokes followed in but was adjudged to be offside.
82min - Stanislas again goes very close. He ran infield from the left wing
before unleashing a lovely shot that had Hinchliffe beaten. However, the
ball just misses the keeper's right-hand post.
81min - Tony Brookes has replaced O'Neill at right-back.
80min - Derby make their last switch. Mills is off for Aaron Cole.
76min - Stanislas has a little surge forward but the Derby rearguard stand
firm. The defences are clearly on top at the moment.
73min - Stokes is cautionetd for a high challenge. Kallum Keane was the
injured party but he is showing no ill-effects from the challenge.
70min - Derby have the ball in the net but there was a clear shove on Walker
as Amory's free-kick was played into the box.
69min - Walker has to be alert as Mills hits one on the half-volley. The No7
caught it well but the home goalkeeper had it covered all the way.
68min - Aaron Dylan is off and Tyron Amory is on. The second Derby
substitution.
65min - In truth, the second 45 has been largely uneventful so far. There
has been plenty of effort but little in the way of goalmouth action.
63min - The first Derby change with Simmons making way and Anthony Robertson
entering the fray.
61min - O'Neill is back on.
59min - Another stoppage. This time O'Neill is down and he needs treatment.
58min - Booth goes into the book for a foul on Hales.
56min - Kearns does well to win a corner after Stokes' flick-on. Stanislas
sends the corner straight into Hinchliffe's hands.
54min - We have had a few stoppages in this half. Neither time has really
got going yet.
53min - Stanislas nearly gets his second with a fierce drive that Hinchliffe
parries behind. He then claims the resulting corner.
51min - A good cross from Stokes, who had pulled out to the right wing, only
just eludes Tom Harvey who had strode forward from defence. Seconds later,
Harvey fires in a low drive that Hinchliffe does well to push behind for a
corner. From the flag-kick, the keeper gets a good punch on the ball to help
out his defence.
49min - Simmons has a half-chance from distance but he cannot direct it on
target and Walker watches the ball sail safely behind his goal.
47min - Lovely play by Stokes sees him get in behind. He takes one touch to
steady himself and then unleashes a dipping shot that just goes over.
46min - Faubert has made way for Daniel Kearns, the promising Northern Irish
youth international.
HALF-TIME - 2-1
45min - We are playing one minute of added time.
43min - From the corner, the ball falls to Hales on the edge of the area and
his shot just goes wide.
42min - The first caution of the day goes to Mills. Stanislas will whip the
ball in from the left flank. He does so and picks out O'Neill at the back
post. The right-back nods down for N'Gala who gets his shot away only for an
outstretched leg to knock it behind.
40min - Derby will feel hard done-by if they go in behind at half-time. It
has been a fairly even contest but Stokes and Stanislas have been a threat.
38min - GOAL! - Stanislas scores after outstanding play by left-back
Widdowson. He surged forward and picked out Stanislas in front of goal. The
No10 got the ball momentarily stuck under his feet but recovered well to
blast beyond Hinchliffe.
35min - A good spell of pressure here by the home side. Can they make it
count though?
32min - Widdowson is fouled after a tremendous crossfield pass by Spence.
Greg Mills was the culprit and the referee is having a word.
29min - Henrik Ojamaa's shot is deflected behind for a corner. Simmons takes
it but Joe Widdowson is on hand to clear.
28min - Stanislas gets the ball up and over the wall but it goes straight
into Hinchliffe's grateful grasp.
28min - Jack Booth concedes a free-kick 25 yards from his own goal.
Stanislas was impeded and he will take the kick.
27min - GOAL! - Simmons curls one beyond Walker's outstretched hand. The
No10 was given too much time from the edge of the area with the home side
having had plenty of opportunities to clear before the decisive shot.
25min - Stokes is working hard but has twice fallen foul of the assistant's
offside flag.
23min - Faubert sprints 30 yards back towards his own half to stop a Derby
breakaway. Good determination from the No7 who is by far the most senior
outfield player on view.
21min - Aaron Dylan has a go from distance but Walker is able to dive to his
left and catch the ball with ease.
20min - Jack Collison is among the sizeable crowd gathered on a sunny
evening at Woodside Park. The young midfielder has first-team ambitions
before the end of the season but is still here to show his support.
18min - Anthony Edgar does well on the left before feeding Stanislas. His
close control keeps Derby back-pedalling until they are forced to concede a
corner. Stanislas takes it and picks out Stokes, but he cannot get any
direction on his header.
17min - Stanislas, playing just off Stokes, has a half-chance that goes into
Hinchliffe's arms.
16min - Stokes does well to put the Derby defence under pressure after
Spence's pass forwards. Playing in an advanced position and the captain's
armband is suiting the youngster tonight.
13min - N'Gala gives away a free-kick 25 yards out. Simmons takes it but
sends the ball straight into Walker's hands.
11min - Great link-up play involving Ryan O'Neill, Hales and Faubert
finishes with the French international setting Stokes away. The play is then
switched quickly to the left but Derby do enough to see the ball out of
play.
10min - Derby had started brightly but have not had much luck this season.
They only have three draws to show from their 16 reserve-team outings to
date.
9min - GOAL! - Stokes converts from the spot by smashing the ball down the
middle beyond Hinchliffe.
8min - Faubert feeds a fantastic pass in behind the Derby defence for Stokes
to chase. The skipper is hauled to the ground by Dudley and earns a penalty.
6mins - A lovely crossfield pass by Julien Faubert picks out Anthony Edgar.
He gets a cross in but Derby clear the danger. The visitors counter quickly
and nearly take advantage of a Bondz N'Gala mis-kick but the hosts get the
ball away.
5min - Well played Spence. Simmons burst through the middle but the England
Under-18 international, due to play for his country next week, read the
danger superbly and cleared.
3min - From the corner, Simmons picks out Mark Dudley unmarked in the centre
of goal. His header goes over the target from just eight yards.
2min - Paris Simmons wins a corner for the visitors when his shot deflects
behind off Jordan Spence.
2min - Stokes tries his luck from distance with a left-foot shot that sails
high over Ben Hinchliffe's goal
1min - Tony Stokes, captain in place of Jack Collison, and Lee Hales get us
under way.
KICK-OFF
West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, Ryan O'Neill (Tony Brookes 81), Jordan
Spence, Bondz N'Gala, Joe Widdowson, Julien Faubert (Daniel Kearns 46), Tom
Harvey, Lee Hales, Junior Stanislas, Anthony Edgar, Tony Stokes
Subs: Ludek Miklosko, Anthony Ashman, Oliver Lee
Derby County: Ben Hinchliffe, Kallum Keane, Jason Beardsley, Jack Booth,
Mark Dudley, Jermaine Johnson, Greg Mills (Aaron Cole 80), Luke Garton,
Henrik Ojamaa, Paris Simmons (Anthony Robertson 63), Aaron Dylan (Tyron
Amory 68)
Subs: Jake Kean, Aaron Cole,
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stanislas settles reserves contest - WHUFC
Junior Stanislas hit the winner in a reserve victory that also featured a
comeback for Julien Faubert
09.04.2008
West Ham United reserves 2-1 Derby County reserves
West Ham United reserves made it eight home consecutive games unbeaten at
Woodside Park with a solid performance on Wednesday that featured a run-out
for Julien Faubert.
As planned before kick-off, Faubert got a valuable 45 minutes under his belt
as he recovers from a calf muscle injury although it remains to be seen if
he will return to first-team duty this campaign. The France midfielder added
strength to a home side missing the rested Jack Collison, although in truth
Derby were equally inexperienced and have not won a game at this level all
season. Stand-in captain Tony Stokes, from the spot, and Junior Stanislas
struck either side of a Paris Simmons stunner to seal the victory in the
first half.
Having lost 3-0 to a strong Chelsea team in their last outing, there was a
real determination to get back to winning ways at the home of Bishop's
Stortford. Stokes led the way, firing in an effort inside the first minute
and he was to be a constant menace up front all game. Although more used to
a midfield role in recent times, the 21-year-old began his career as a
striker and showed a good eye for goal with Stanislas in a supporting role.
Yet Derby could have been in front on three minutes when Simmons picked out
centre-back Mark Dudley in front of goal, only for the No5 to inexplicably
head over when unmarked. After that, the hosts took control with Faubert
showing an excellent range of passing. None of his slide-rule efforts were
better than the ball he fed through for Stokes to chase on nine minutes. The
skipper burst into the box, only to be hauled down by Dudley. Stokes picked
up the ball himself and duly dispatched the spot-kick.
Stokes and Stanislas would have further efforts over the next ten minutes
before Aaron Dylan for the visitors had Jimmy Walker - the only other player
with first-team experience on view - diving well to his left to save. It was
a warning sign for Kevin Keen's men and on 27 minutes the visitors were
level when the bright Simmons was given time and space to shoot, and curled
the ball beautifully just out of Walker's reach.
After that the visitors failed to maintain their pressure and the likes of
Jordan Spence and Tom Harvey helped the home side re-establish their
superiority. At the other end, Stanislas went close from a free-kick and
underlined why he is perhaps the next of Tony Carr's Academy to be talked
about as having first-team potential with a few bright runs. His
match-winning goal came seven minutes from the interval but it owed much to
Joe Widdowson - recently returned from a loan at Rotherham United.
The pacey left-back surged down his flank before getting to the by-line.
Showing good composure under pressure, Widdowson looked up before picking
out Stanislas in a central position barely eight yards out. The England U19
international mis-controlled initially but recovered well to blast beyond
Ben Hinchliffe. The goal drew a good response from the home crowd which,
underlining the camaraderie in the camp, included the likes of Collison and
Zavon Hines, on loan at Coventry City.
In truth, the second half was a largely uneventful affair with the referee's
whistle producing cards for Derby duo Jack Booth and Greg Mills, while
Stokes' all-action display also saw him cautioned for what looked an
innocuous challenge. Before that Stokes had a dipping volley from distance,
Harvey rattled one in from range and Stanislas twice made Hinchliffe save
well in the run up to the hour mark.
Derby attacks were few and far between but Mills had a good go on 69
minutes, just before the away side had the ball in the net only to be
penalised for a definite shove on Walker as substitute Tyron Amory's
free-kick flew into the area. Faubert's half-time replacement Daniel Kearns
could have made it 3-1 with six minutes to play after a delightful team move
finished with him playing a one-two and then slotting goalwards. The ball
seemed in, until diverting on to the post at the last second. Stokes
followed up the rebound but was in an offside position.
Lee Hales also had a fine chance two minutes later after setting himself
well for a strike from outside the penalty area before a last-ditch block
got in the way. Into added time, Stanislas and Stokes underlined their
superior fitness with a bright move as around them others tired. The former
found room on the left before whipping in a precise cross that the latter
did well to rise and meet but failed to direct on target. It did not matter
in the end, as the final whistle soon followed.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa's 2-0 home win against Portsmouth means United will
almost certainly not overhaul them at the top of the Barclays Premier
Reserve League southern section with just the away trip to come for Kevin
Keen's side at Arsenal on 21 April. Leaders Villa remain two points in front
and still have three games left. The club have moved up to second though, a
point ahead of Reading in third who have two left to play.
West Ham United: Jimmy Walker, Ryan O'Neill (Tony Brookes 81), Jordan
Spence, Bondz N'Gala, Joe Widdowson, Julien Faubert (Daniel Kearns 46), Tom
Harvey, Lee Hales, Junior Stanislas, Anthony Edgar, Tony Stokes
Subs not used: Ludek Miklosko, Anthony Ashman, Oliver Lee
Derby County: Ben Hinchliffe, Kallum Keane, Jason Beardsley, Jack Booth,
Mark Dudley, Jermaine Johnson, Greg Mills (Aaron Cole 80), Luke Garton,
Henrik Ojamaa, Paris Simmons (Anthony Robertson 63), Aaron Dylan (Tyron
Amory 68)
Subs not used: Jake Kean, Aaron Cole
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Newcastle, Tottenham, Man City and West Ham invited to bid for Bareclona
superstar!! - Talking Soccer
Barcelona look to be preparing to offload striker Thierry Henry. The Daily
Star are reporting that the Spanish giants are inviting offers for the
French star who is unsettled at the Nou Camp. Newcastle United, Tottenham
Hotspur, Manchester City and West Ham are all believed to be keen on
bringing the 30 year old back to the Premiership. Henry has bagged 14 goals
in 39 appearances for Barca so far this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to smash transfer record with an £18m raid, big mistake! -
caughtoffside.com
April 9, 2008
I have said before that there is a very real danger that people are
over-estimating the ability of Mauro Zarate, after two goal-scoring games in
a Birmingham shirt people are already claiming he is the son of god! The
latest rumour below should frankly scare the hell out of Hammers fans!
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is planning an £18 million raid for Birmingham
City's on loan striker Mauro Zarate. (The Sun)
If this is true, and let's face it that is unlikely, such an expensive
purchase of an as yet unproven striker would be frankly insane. West Ham
could invest that money far more wisely in my opinion, even a £10m raid on
Darren Bent would in my view be a better purchase.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley insists Hammers still have plenty to play for - Bolton News
By Staff Sports Reporter
ALAN Curbishley is hoping money will motivate his West Ham players to win
Saturday's Reebok showdown. The Hammers are 10th in the Premiership after
suffering their fifth defeat in seven games against Portsmouth at Upton Park
on Tuesday - a game watched by Wanderers boss Gary Megson.
They have been accused of coasting, with nothing to play for, but Curbishley
gave an insight into his club's bonus scheme to refute the allegations.
"Everything this year, especially bonuses, is geared to finishing in the top
10," he said. "There is nothing for not being in the top 10. "So for people
to believe we have switched off is wrong. We need to be in that top 10 to
take anything from the season. "That's me as well, it's everybody, we are
all in it. And that's why it is so disappointing to come up with flat
performances like the one against Portsmouth. "We thought it was a winnable
fixture with them just having reached the FA Cup final, but it was a flat
night all round which just got flatter. "We didn't lift the crowd and they
didn't lift us. Now in the last five games we've got to win two or three or
we won't stay in the top half and the season will just fizzle out."
Curbishley - clearly reminded of the depressingly regular end-of-season
burn-outs which occurred whilst he was in charge at Charlton - has been told
by chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson to trim the wage bill next season. He has
been hampered by a crippling injury list this season and that could affect
his planning. "We are in limbo in terms of assessing what we've got," he
said. "I still haven't had return dates on when some players will be fit
again, especially those with muscular injuries."
When Eggert Magnusson was chairman, before being bought out by his
billionaire Icelandic compatriot Gudmundsson, West Ham paid major fees for
stars like Craig Bellamy, Freddie Ljungberg, Kieron Dyer, Matthew Upson and
Luis Boa Morte. Now Gudmundsson, also the owner of Icelandic bank
Landsbanki, may be feeling the credit crunch and Curbishley was unable to
strengthen his squad in the January transfer window. Yet the club did
recently appoint Gianluca Nani to assist Curbishley in the search for new
players and team affairs, although the Italian does not officially start
work until next season. Meanwhile, Curbishley has seen two more fitness
problems added to a catalogue which already includes Dyer, Bellamy,
Ljungberg, Danny Gabbidon, James Collins, Lee Bowyer, Matty Etherington and
Julian Faubert. Skipper Lucas Neill damaged an ankle against Pompey but had
to play through the closing minutes in pain after West Ham had used their
permitted three substitutes.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Widdowson returns to West Ham after Rotherham spell
tribalfootball.com - April 09, 2008
Joe Widdowson was back in action for West Ham reserves in yesterday's 2-1
victory over Derby. The fullback had just returned from his loan at
Rotherham United and impressed in the victory.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Curbishley admits Italian targets on agenda
tribalfooball.com - April 09, 2008
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits they'll be active in the Italian
transfer market following the appointment of new technical chief Gianluca
Nani. Curbishley was in Italy over the weekend to meet Nani and take in some
Serie B games, including one featuring Brescia and £10 million-rated
fullback Marco Zambelli. Curbishley said: "I got to see players who could be
on our shopping list."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
AC Milan, Rangers target McCartney happy at West Ham
tribalfooball.com - April 09, 2008
West Ham United fullback George McCartney says he's happy at Upton Park.
McCartney has been linked with Rangers and AC Milan, but told whufc.com: "I
want to play every week. I am really happy with how things are going for me
personally but it is disappointing that the results haven't been as good as
what they were earlier in the season. "It is up to the players, the coaches
and the manager to prepare for Bolton on Saturday and make sure we give our
fans a good end to the season."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment