Freddie Sears scored both goals as England U19s took a giant step towards
this summer's UEFA finals
26.05.2008
England Under-19s 2-0 Poland Under-19s
Freddie Sears continued his remarkable run with two goals for England to
help them get their Elite round qualification attempt for the European
Under-19 Championship off to a flier in Belarus.
The 18-year-old, who made his first-team breakthrough in the 2007/08
campaign after fine form for the youths and reserves, scored both goals in
Borisov on his first full start for the U19s. He had previously made two
substitute appearances in friendlies. The first goal came with a good finish
in the 29th minute before the West Ham United striker wrapped up the win
with a penalty five minutes from time after Danish referee Lars
Christoffersen had pointed to the spot. At the back, club-mate James Tomkins
more than played his part in helping the Young Lions keep a clean sheet.
Brian Eastick's side are in Belarus for a four-nation Group 1
mini-tournament, one of seven sections, that will see the winners head to
the Czech Republic later this summer for the eight-team final round. England
are next in action against Serbia in Borisov again on Wednesday at 12.30pm,
the same day as Poland take on Belarus. The qualifying campaign will end
against Belarus in the capital Minsk at 3pm this Saturday. Should England
get through, then the final tournament will take place between 14 and 26
July, and the already qualified host nation Czech Republic may boast
goalkeeper Marek Stech in their lineup.
England: Button, Obeng, Clark (c), Tomkins, Mattock, Sinclair, Cork, Gibbs,
Moses, Sears, Carroll
Subs: Bertrand, Henry, Steele, Chandler, Walker, Welbeck, Pearce
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Spector facing Wembley race - WHUFC
The chance to pit his wits against Dean Ashton is spurring Jonathan Spector
on in his fitness fight
26.05.2008
Jonathan Spector is battling to overcome a hip injury in order to lineup for
the United States against England at Wembley on Wednesday night and a
potential duel with club-mate Dean Ashton.
The 22-year-old West Ham United defender, already capped 12 times, has been
suffering with the irritation to his hip since the 12 April trip to Bolton
Wanderers and missed the final four matches of the domestic season. It was a
frustrating end to what proved a significant campaign for the youngster who
is still learning his trade and who showed his versatility across the back
four and also even in a defensive midfield position. The Americans have been
sufficiently concerned to call up veteran Columbus Crew performer Frankie
Hejduk as extra defensive cover.
"I am taking one day at a time," said Spector from the US training camp at
Sopwell House in Hertfordshire before adding he did not want to take any
unnecessary risks. As well as wanting to ensure his fitness for when he
returns to club duties, he is eyeing the Beijing Olympics having already
played a key role in securing the US's qualification for the August sporting
extravaganza. That said, Spector would love to realise a boyhood ambition
and play at Wembley - a venue he is familiar with after going along to watch
last October's rain-sodden competitive NFL encounter between the New York
Giants and Miami Dolphins.
"It will be a huge honour to play at Wembley but we're looking to win,"
added Spector, who is one of a number of highly-rated young players in the
US selection including midfielder Michael Bradley and forward Freddy Adu.
"I'm really looking forward to it as not many players have the opportunity
to play there ... we're excited to see how we compare to some of the top
teams in the world and we'll be looking to win. I've got a number of
friendly games to play, followed by two World Cup qualifiers then we have a
break and then back for the Olympics. It will be a busy summer but I'm
looking forward to it."
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Carr pleased with Hong Kong trip - WHUFC
Although denied the chance of going all the way in the Soccer Sevens, Tony
Carr was more than content
25.05.2008
West Ham United's youngsters came up short in their bid to win the Hong Kong
Soccer Sevens on Sunday - losing their decisive quarter-final tie against
the Australian Institute of Sport.
The 2-0 defeat by a side made up of the Socceroos' best Under-20 players
meant Tony Carr's inexperienced team including the likes of 17-year-old
defender Jordan Spence and 16-year-old midfielder Oliver Lee could no longer
win the competition. They instead moved into a separate event for the losing
last-eight sides and then won 1-0 against Eastleigh, thanks to a Tony Stokes
goal, before a 'shield final' against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds,
going down 3-2 to a team they had beaten 2-0 in Saturday's group stage.
West Ham United academy director Tony Carr said: "We scored very two good
goals again - both from Tony Stokes - but we run out of legs and we ended up
losing 3-2. Once they pulled one back, they really kept it and worked us and
we couldn't hang on. We are very pleased overall. We played six games in a
very short space of time. The heat and humidity you can't explain unless you
have experienced it. We have ended up winning three games and losing two out
of six. Overall, in the tournament we finished sixth out of 16 which I
thought was quite creditable considering the team we had."
Carr explained his side were probably the youngest squad taking part with
his side all from the 2007/08 Under-18 set-up except for captain Stokes
while most of the other teams on view were made up of U20 players. "They
were a lot older than us which made life a bit tough when it is just seven a
side and you are playing in difficult conditions as well. It was a good
experience and we really enjoyed it." Having taken much from the experience,
the team will fly back on Monday and arrive back in London early on Tuesday
with all involved then getting the chance to go on holiday.
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KUMB Writers' Player of the Year - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 26th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker has been named as KUMB.com's Writer's Player of the Year for
the 2007/08 season. The midfielder, signed from Newcastle United last summer
lost more than half the season to injury but still did enough to top our
2008 Writers' Poll with an average score of 6.95. The winner is decided by
taking an average score of all marks awarded by KUMB.com's match reporters
throughout the season. This season a total of 52 match reports were
submitted, the scores from which form the table below. Robert Green, the
club's Hammer of the Year came in second with an average mark of 6.84 whilst
Matthew Upson picked up third place with a score of 6.80. The full list of
scores were as follows (click on a player's name to see their profile and
player comments):
1. Scott Parker (6.95)
2. Robert Green (6.84)
3. Matthew Upson (6.80)
4. James Tomkins (6.75)
5. Mark Noble (6.69)
6. Craig Bellamy (6.50)
7. Anton Ferdinand (6.47)
8. George McCartney (6.40)
9. Matthew Etherington (6.32)
10. John Paintsil (6.29)
11. Nobby Solano (6.26)
12. Danny Gabbidon (6.25)
13. Fred Sears (6.20)
14. Dean Ashton (6.07)
14. Lee Bowyer (6.07)
16. Richard Wright (6.00)
16. Jack Collison (6.00)
16. Kieron Dyer (6.00)
19. Lucas Neill (5.98)
20. Carlton Cole (5.97)
21. Hayden Mullins (5.95)
22. Jon Spector (5.79)
23. Freddie Ljungberg (5.78)
24. James Collins (5.67)
25. Luis Boa Morte (5.37)
26. Bobby Zamora (5.35)
27. Julien Faubert (5.33)
28. Kyel Reid (4.75)
29. Henri Camara (4.60)
Previous Winners
2005/06 Danny Gabbidon
2004/05 Jimmy Walker
2003/04 Matthew Etherington
2002/03 Joe Cole
* Interested in submitting match reports to KUMB next season? Drop us a line
with a few details about yourself to editor at kumb.com and we'll let you
know how you can become involved.
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Developers call time on Queens - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 26th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
A planning application to bulldoze Green Street's famous Queens pub has been
submitted by developers St.Modwen. St.Modwen - who describe themselves on
their website as 'a prestigious city-oriented UK based company which
specialises in the regeneration of brownfield and urban environments' - plan
to pull down the famous pub and nearby market, a regular haunt of Hammers
fans on matchday. In its place will go a new market hall plus 350 luxury
apartments - although there are no plans to replace the pub, which recently
underwent a revamp courtesy of brewers Scottish & Newcastle.
St.Modwens are no strangers to controversy having been previously involved
with the Brighton West Pier fiasco in which their Heritage Lottery funding
was suddenly withdrawn. The Heritage Lottery Fund withdrew their offer to
cover the costs after it was revealed that St.Modwen's claim for £19 million
was some £6 million higher than alternative plans.
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United duo lead the way - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 26th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
A Freddie Sears brace gave England's under 19s the perfect start in their
European Championship Elite Round qaulifiers. Sears scored both of England's
goals as Brian Eastick's side beat Poland 2-0 in Minsk this morning - the
first of three qualifying games they will play this week. Sears - partnered
in the team by fellow Hammer James Tomkins - opened the scoring on the half
hour mark before securing all three points five minutes from time from the
penalty spot. Next up for the under 19s is the clash with Serbia on
Wednesday, 28th May (11:30am kick off) followed by the match against Belarus
on Saturday 31st May (2pm kick off).
England under 19s: Button (Spurs), Obeng (Man City), Clark (Villa), Tomkins
(West Ham), Mattock (Leicester), Sinclair (Chelsea), Cork (Chelsea), Gibbs
(Arsenal), Moses (Leicester), Sears (West Ham), Carroll (Newcastle).
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Hammers miss out - KUMB
Filed: Sunday, 25th May 2008
By: Staff Writer
Tony Carr's young side ended the Hong Kong Sevens with a defeat in the plate
final. Having won the group stage on Saturday, United opened the second day
with a game against the Australian Institute of Sport who had finished
runners up in a different group. However two late goals by the AIS sent the
Hammers tumbling out of the main tournament. United's consolation prize was
an appearance in the plate semi-final - a seperate mini-tournament featuring
the four defeated quater-finalists. A late Tony Stokes striker gave the
Hammers a 1-0 win over Eastleigh sending them into the final against Uwara
Red Diamonds, who the Hammers had beaten in the group stage on Saturday.
Things initially looked good for United as they stole into a 2-0 lead - once
again Tony Stokes on target, with the captain grabbing both goals. But a
spirited fightback by the Japanese outfit saw them snatch an unlikely
victory right at the death; the game ending 3-2.
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Hong Kong Sevens: a review - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 26th May 2008
By: Yabush
KUMB regular Yabush reports from Hong Kong as Tony Carr's young side take on
teams from across the globe in this year's Hong Kong Sevens tournament ...
I was initially surprised to see so many West Ham fans at the ground. There
were about 20-30 I guess (I'm not too sure as I didn't go to the other
stand).
Day 1, Game 1
West Ham Utd FC 2 Eagles FC (Hong Kong) 1
Sadly I missed most of the first half as I couldn't find the entrance to the
ground! When I arrived there was a couple of minutes of the first half
remaining (the format was seven minutes each half plus a one minute break).
The game was 0-0 at that time.
We opened the scoring in the second half through Zavon Hines. However Eagles
equalized shortly after. They scored an easy goal, a tap-in following chaos
in our penalty area.
In the last minute they made a mistake in their own area. The Eagles
defender couldn't hold the ball and it ran to Jordan Spence. He didn't
disappoint the fans and fired home to win the game.
Day 1, Game 2
West Ham Utd 0 Hong Kong FC 0
Like in the opening match, we struggled a bit; our players were not too used
to the (hot and sticky) conditions. The pitch was quite small and HKFC
tightly marked our players. It was a 50-50 game, but we were unlucky not to
score in the first minute of the first half. There's not much to say about
this game, it was a little dull.
Day 1, Game 3
West Ham Utd 2 Uwara Red Diamonds (Japan) 0
West Ham wore the white away kit for this match as tournament favourites
Uwara were in red. The fans started the match with a chorus of 'Bubbles'.
Zavon Hines opened the scoring for United early on. After conceding the
goal, Uwara went on the offensive but our Czech keeper, Marek Stech, made
several great saves to deny them. Half way through the first half Tony
Stokes was pulled down. Junior Stanislas took the resulting free kick and
fired home to give United a two goal advantage. During half time I witnessed
Junior Stanislas throwing a drinks bottle at the advertising board. He was
clearly unhappy, presumably because Tony Carr had substituted him. In the
second half we weren't quite as strong as before the break. Still we created
chances, mainly through counter attacks. Despite Uwara playing more
offensively we won the match with a clean sheet. The players hugged each
other after the ref blew the full time whistle. They also shook hands with
their opponents before making their way to the stand and clapping the fans.
Carr's team had looked more comfortable in this match and they had played
well. The win meant the Hammers finished top of the table with seven points,
whilst second-placed Uwara finished with four points. Eagles FC unexpectedly
won their last game against home team HKFC to secure third place. Our best
players on the day were Junior Stanislas, Jordan Spence and Marek Stech.
Bondz N'Gala looked good too, even though he hadn't played much.
Day 2, Game 4 - Quarter Final
West Ham Utd 0 Australian Institute of Sports 2
Though the AIS qualified as the second place in Group B, they had actually
won two games and drew one as we did. I thought it would be an easier game -
but was totally wrong. The first half ended in a stalemate, but AIS were the
better side. They had passed well and created chances whilst United resorted
to a long ball tactic which was quite disappointing. Tony Stokes was often
alone up front against three defenders, so he had his work cut out. Halfway
through the second half a mistake by Joe Widdowson let AIS take the lead. A
poor back pass was well read and AIS opened the scoring. There wasn't much
Stech could do. The Hammers pushed forward in search of an equaliser but
were caught out by a counter attack by AIS. A long ball down the left found
an unmarked forward who fired home to put the game beyond West Ham's reach.
It was a little sad to miss out on the main trophy, but the Shield
competition - for those out of the main tournament - meant the Hammers still
had a real chance of winning something.
Day 2, Game 5 - Shield Semi-final
West Ham Utd 1 Eastleigh 0
Eastleigh had been beaten 5-0 by Aston Villa in the quarter-final. I thought
they were exceptionally weak, but truth was Villa were just too strong for
them.
Junior Stanislas didn't play in this game; I later saw him limping around
the pitch. The game was actually quite boring with neither side impressing.
Josh Payne created a couple of chances but they all went wide - and we were
still playing long ball. United were looking as if they didn't have the
quality to win it. Fortunately, the second half was a big improvement. Right
at the very end of the game Stokes picked up the ball in the penalty area;
this time he didn't waste the chance and fired home the only goal of the
game. The Hammers were through to the Shield final.
Day 2, Game 6 - Shield Final
West Ham Utd 2 Uwara Red Diamonds 3
We were up against Uwara Red Diamonds (who we had beaten 2-0 in yesterday's
group phase) in the Shield final. Early on we won a free-kick on the edge
of the Uwara penalty area. Our free kick specialist, Junior Stanislas was
benched so Tony Stokes took it - and scored a nice goal to give Tony Carr's
side an early lead. Two minutes later a Uwara attack was halted and the
Hammers quickly launched a counter attack from the right. Zavon Hines found
Stokes in the penalty area and the captain fired home his second of the
match. With no further goals, we went into the break 2-0 ahead. A few
moments into the second half Uwara pulled one back on the counter attack.
Then, we witnessed the collapse. Just a minute after pulling one back Uwara
equalised. Then, with the game heading towards penalties Uwara snatched the
win scoring on the counter attack again. The Uwara players, staff and fans
were over the moon; the West Ham contingent just held their heads in their
hands - they couldn't believe it. The game ended in a brawl after Tony
Stokes was sent off for what appeared to be a stamp on the goalkeeper. Much
arguing ensued before the referee dismissed the Hammers captain, surrounded
at that time by a string of angry Japanese players.
The main competition was won by reigning champions Aston Villa, who beat
Celtic 2-0 in the final.
West Ham United FC
Marek Stech, Bondz N'Gala, Joe Widdowson, Jordan Spence, Josh Payne, Tony
Stokes, Anthony Edgar, Oliver Lee, Junior Stanislas, Zavon Hines.
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Hammers could let defender head back to Sunderland - Guardian Series
MEDIA reports are linking West Ham defender George McCartney with a possible
return to Sunderland. The full-back played in every game for the Hammers
this season, although could become surplus to requirements at Upton Park if
boss Alan Curbishley signs Reading defender Nicky Shorey.
Black Cats boss Roy Keane would then swoop to take McCartney back to the
Stadium of Light.
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Hammers defender could be set for Rangers switch - Guardian Series
WEST Ham defender Christian Dailly could be set for a permanent move to
Rangers. The Scottish defender fell down the pecking order at Upton Park
last season under boss Alan Curbishley and spent most of the campaign at
Ibrox. And manager Walter Smith is keen to keep Dailly north of the boarder,
along with Fulham's Steven Davis, who was also on-loan with the Scottish Cup
winners. "I'll have a word with the lads and we'll see where we go from
there," Smith said. "I would hope to keep them but we'll just have to wait
and see how they feel about that."
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Hammers join race for US starlet - ESS
Last Updated: Mon, 26 May 2008 15:26
West Ham are reportedly set to join the race for the signature of
Heerenveen's American international midfielder Michael Bradley. The
20-year-old has established a growing reputation in the Dutch league with 19
goals in 59 appearances during three seasons at the club. And that has
resulted in a growing number of Premier League clubs being linked with the
versatile midfield starlet. Everton were thought to be leading the chase,
while Blackburn, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, who signed £12.7million
Brazilian striker Afonso Alves from Heerenveen in January, also thought to
be interested. A number of scouts from several clubs are expected to be at
Wembley on Wednesday to watch Bradley in action for the United States during
their friendly with England and the Hammers are believed to be sending one.
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Do we really want to lose Him? - Cmon Yu Irons
Posted by Joe
I have never been a great admirer of Anton Ferdinand and i dare say a lot of
fans feel the same way, and i very rarely listen to silly rumours, but the
rumour about Ferdinand going to Spurs sounds like a possibility. Ok so Anton
is not Rio and will never have the skills that Rio has, but he has been the
backbone for West Ham on many occasions, so do we really want to lose him?
and if so, then why? and for what Price?
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USA want to rattle England's new regime at Wembley - The Mirror
27/05/2008
West Ham defender Jonathan Spector is hoping to dent the fragile optimism
around England when a new-look Capello side face the USA at Wembley tomorrow
night. With many of England's first-choice players likely to miss the game,
Spector said: "It will be a huge honour to play at Wembley. Not many players
get the opportunity. "But we're excited to see how we compare to the top
teams in the world and we'll be looking to win."
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West Ham's Dailly set to stick with Rangers
tribalfootball.com - May 26, 2008
West Ham defender Christian Dailly could be set for a permanent move to
Rangers. The Scottish defender fell down the pecking order at Upton Park
last season under boss Alan Curbishley and spent most of the campaign at
Ibrox. And manager Walter Smith is keen to keep Dailly north of the boarder,
along with Fulham's Steven Davis, who was also on-loan with the Scottish Cup
winners. "I'll have a word with the lads and we'll see where we go from
there," Smith said. "I would hope to keep them but we'll just have to wait
and see how they feel about that."
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