Junior Stanislas scores twice as Ian Hendon's development squad defeat the
Ryman League side
04.08.2011
GRAYS ATHLETIC v WEST HAM UNITED XI
PRE-SEASON MATCH
THURSDAY 4 AUGUST 2011
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
Final score - Grays Athletic 1-5 West Ham United XI
92 mins - Grays kick-off, West Ham deal with it and clear long. The final
whistle is blown and that's a comprehensive win for the Hammers after a
dodgy start. Hendon will be pleased, I would think, with that performance
and result.
91 mins - GOAL! The youngsters get their goal. Hines is fouled and when the
free-kick flicks high into the air off the wall, Sanchez helps it on and
Sadlier volleys high into the net from six yards. Superb finish from the
Republic of Ireland youth international.
90 mins - McCallum makes a good run and holds the ball up. Wearen screams
for the pass and the striker replies by laying the ball into the Irishman,
but his first-time shot flies high and not very handsome. Ah well!
87 mins - Siafa fights hard for possession near the Grays corner flag and
eventually wins a free-kick. It's taken short and Turgott delivers, but a
flying Sanchez can't quite get his head to the ball.
85 mins - Just as I thought Grays had run out of puff, right-back Pope
storms forward, but his finish is off-target and flies low and wide of the
post.
83 mins - Two young fans in front of me have been singing 'Come on West Ham
United!" for the last ten minutes. They can't be more than four or
five-years-old! Bless 'em!
81 mins - Cowler is replaced by scholar Sam Baxter for the final nine
minutes. This is a big moment for the 16-year-old stopper.
80 mins - I'm told Grays are hoping to have a good season, but an official
told me the club really needs some support to have a bright future. Whenever
West Ham play on Sunday, why not pop down to give them a look? They
certainly have a few decent players and the football is likely to be
entertaining.
77 mins - McCallum is down again and it's the No5 again involved. No action
taken by the referee. A few seconds later, Turgott tries his luck from about
35 yards, but the shot flies over the top. Despite the changes, West Ham
have continued to look a cohesive unit. The young scholars have settled in
quickly and the Hammers look more likely to add a fifth than concede to
their older, more experienced hosts.
75 mins - Sorry about that. Had some more technical issues...
72 mins - Hines is challenged hard by the Grays No5, but he's OK after a bit
of treatment and gets up to continue.
70 mins - Stanislas has done his work for the night and is replaced by
Sadlier, while Nouble trots off to be replaced by McCallum. McNaughton is
also off and Stephens is on at the back.
67 mins - GOAL! Stanislas is working his socks off up front. He forces an
error and the ball drops to Nouble. He runs through on goal and his shot is
saved, but the ball runs free to Stanislas, who adjusts well to slide in his
second of the night from 14 yards.
64 mins - Wearen shoots from all of 25 yards. The ball flies just wide of
the angle of post and bar and thuds into the concrete wall behind the goal.
He got hold of that.
62 mins - The home side attack, but the new striker, No21, loses his feet as
he shoots and Cowler collects.
60 mins - Grays make another change. No14 is replaced by No16 at the back.
West Ham take off Montano and Shaw for Turgott and Siafa.
56 mins - Four changes from Grays. The mystery No3, Bunce, Sigere and
goalkeeper Aksoy go off, with Nos22, 21 and 18 coming on, alongside
goalkeeper Northwood. The teamsheet does not have the numbers for the
replacements, so we might go a bit number-crazy here. It'll be a bit like
Sesame Street. Today's numbers are,..!
55 mins - It's all happening. Carlos is a liverwire and he cuts in from the
right again. I think that's a cross but it's high and bounces back off the
face of the crossbar before West Ham clear their lines.
55 mins - Nouble plays the ball in for Stanislas, who feeds Hines. The
striker tries to shield the ball and goes to ground under a challenge from
Thomas. Nothing is given.
53 mins - Grays attack again. Denni plays the ball back to Carlos, who has
swapped to the right wing. He checks and crosses left-footed. Sigere heads
on but the ball bounces wide.
52 mins - Abdulla concedes a free-kick and it is taken quickly to Denni. He
shoots low but Cowler shows good hands to clutch the ball to his chest.
50 mins - West Ham have two chances inside the Grays box, but both Stanislas
and Montano are thwarted as they delay passes for too long. Montano punches
the turf in frustration. He has set high standards for himself in
pre-season.
48 mins - Nouble does well before holding up play and finding Hines. He
ignores Stanislas and runs to the box, where he is challenged. Grays
counter, but a low shot from Agumbar hits the side netting. Cowler had it
covered.
46 mins - West Ham kick-off.
West Ham have made a change, with Sanchez replacing Faye at the heart of the
defence. Grays have changed into blue shirts, for some reason?! The No20 is
now No3 and still captain. I don't have any idea who he is though.
To coin a phrase, here come the Hammers. See what I did there?! If not, you
can't be old enough...!
Half-time score - Grays Athletic 1-3 West Ham United XI
46 mins - That's the end of an eventful half!
46 mins - Hmmm... Cowler waits to clear the ball and swaps passes with
McNaughton. The goalkeeper tries to shield the ball from No10 Sigere and
both players go to ground. The home fans and the striker want a penalty but
nothing is given and Cowler stabs the ball out for a throw.
44 mins - We're nearly at half-time and it's got a bit chilly here. On the
pitch, things heat up a bit as Abdulla and Pope come together on halfway.
The referee has a quick chat with both players and we're soon under way
again.
41 mins - Montano takes and Faye's header is off-target. Stanislas collects
but then loses the ball and concedes a free-kick.
40 mins - Stanislas takes and the ball is punched clear by Aksoy to Wearen.
He lays the ball wide again and Stanislas' second cross is headed behind for
another corner. Hines wins the header, but his effort hits a defender and
flies behind.
39 mins - Abdulla picks out Montano with a peach of a pass from inside his
own half. Montano cuts inside from the right, shoots and the ball takes a
nick on its way over the top. Corner.
38 mins - West Ham win a corner. Montano delivers but it's header clear.
37 mins - I've not seen much of Frazer Shaw in action before, but he looks
impressive. The left-back is a first-year scholar and hails from Custom
House. He attended the same Royal Docks school as Mark Noble.
36 mins - Fantastic counter-attack. McNaughton heads clear and Stanislas
surges forward a full 50 yards before playing the ball to the over-lapping
Shaw. He slams in a first-time cross but it's just too close to Aksoy, who
dives on the ball with claret and blue shirts swarming around him. Good play
all round.
34 mins - Good strong defending from Shaw to deny Denni on the edge of the
box. Stanislas finds Hines, who nutmegs one defender before being pushed
over. Cheeky play from the striker.
32 mins - Academy Director Tony Carr is watching on from the stand as Nouble
lays in Montano. He takes a touch and shoots left-footed, but it's deflected
just wide of the far post. Montano's corner is too high and Nouble's glanced
header flies well wide.
30 mins - Carlos gets forward again and his cross is put behind by Abdulla.
Agumbar's deep corner finds Denni, but his shot is wayward. Agumbar picks up
possession again and lays the ball back for Carlos, whose shot is hacked
clear by Faye.
29 mins - To be fair to Grays, they're playing the better football at the
moment. Left winger Carlos and striker Denni, in particular, are catching
the eye with their pace and individual skill.
26 mins - Brilliant challenge from Wearen to deny Beaney a shooting chance.
Grays had built the attack superbly again before Denni broke the offside
trap and then laid the ball back when faced by Faye.
25 mins - The free-kick comes over and Cowler makes a bit of a meal of it.
The No14, who is also a mystery man and not on the teamsheet, challenges but
can only poke the ball out for a goal kick.
24 mins - Wearen is probably a bit lucky not to be booked there as he brings
down Agumbar inside his own half. Before the free-kick can be taken, Hines
needs some treatment.
22 mins - Grays aren't bad, you know. A bit of nice interplay down the left
ends with No11 Jo Carlos getting in behind, but he slices his cross behind.
That was really neat build-up involving Denni and left winger Agumbar.
19 mins - Abdulla brings down Beaney and Grays have another free-kick, this
time wide on the right. The No20 curls the ball over but it's too high. Goal
kick. The sun is out here, making my view of the pitch a bit dodgy, to say
the least!
18 mins - The home captain, who is No20 but whose name is not on the
teamsheet, takes. The ball hits the wall and spins out for a corner. The
No20 takes again and Nouble heads clear.
17 mins - Grays must be stunned, but they haven't given up. First,
McNaughton and Faye win brave headers to deny Denni, then Sigere's touch
lets him down and Shaw somehow gets back to win the ball inside his own
area. Seconds later, Sigere is fouled 30 yards out. Free-kick...
15 mins - GOAL! It's raining goals. Hines shows some neat footwork before
releasing the rampaging Wearen through the middle. He makes no mistake as he
slams a low shot past Aksoy and into the centre of the goal. Abdulla runs to
Hines to congratulate him on a fine assist.
12 mins - GOAL! Hines gains possession and its two-on-one. He lays square to
Nouble, who beats one defender before drawing Aksoy and coolly side-footing
into the same corner Stanislas found just a few moments ago. It's a goal
feast!
12 mins - Hmmm. A long ball forward from Grays' left-back should be easy for
Cowler, Faye makes a mess of it and Sigere shoots but Cowler is there. He
launches a counter-attack and...
11 mins - Cowler punches a dangerous corner clear and Montano picks the ball
up on the edge of his own box. He makes 20 yards before trying to play in
Hines. Goalkeeper Aksoy is alert and runs out of his box to head clear.
10 mins - We've lost two balls out of the ground in the space of 30 seconds.
First the yellow one was belted over the top of Cowler's goal, then a white
one disappeared over the Hammers dugout. With a second white ball in
operation, Grays win a corner.
8 mins - GOAL! That's better. Stanislas sees a gap around the wall and curls
a low shot around it and into the bottom right-hand corner. He made that
look a bit easier than it should have been. I'm not sure the wall was very
well positioned, but you've still got to put them away.
7 mins - Driver ploughs forward from right-back and is brought down about 25
yards from goal. Another chance for Stanislas...
6 mins - Faye's hurried clearance falls to Stanislas, who turns and lobs the
ball forward. A loose header falls to Nouble, who beats a man and crosses
low, but it's cleared.
4 mins - West Ham need a quick reply. Stanislas shoots but it's blocked.
West Ham win it back and Hines is tripped on the edge of the penalty area.
Free-kick. Stanislas has a two-step run-up but cannot get the ball up and
down. Goal kick.
2 mins - GOAL! That didn't take long. A long clearance from goalkeeper Aksoy
and striker Louie Denni gets goalside of the Hammers defence before slamming
a left-foot shot past Cowler's left hand and into the bottom corner.
1 min - A long ball forward is volleyed out for a throw by left-back Shaw.
The ball is worked back to Grays No2 Craig Pope, whose high cross is well
caught by Cowler above his head. West Ham break and win a throw but it comes
to nothing.
7.46pm - Grays get us underway...
7.44pm - Grays come out in their white shirts, blue shorts and blue shorts.
We're going to kick-off slightly late, but it won't be long. For some
reason, we're using a bright yellow football.
7.42pm - Ahmed Abdulla leads out the Hammers, who are wearing their
traditional claret and light blue shirts, light blue shorts and socks. No
sign yet of Grays as the Hammers lineup for a team photo with two young
mascots.
7.40pm - The starting XI have headed back to their dressing room, while the
replacements remain out on the pitch. I hope it's not going to rain as I've
moved from under the stand to an exposed and elevated walkway near the
corner flag to try and get some reception.
7.30pm - I am having some technical issues connecting to the internet here.
Apologies if the updates are not regular!
7.20pm - The Grays Athletic starting XI is Aksoy, Pope, Bunce, Thomas,
Baker, Agumbar, Beaney, Denni, Sigere, Carlos and Flynn. The home
substitutes are Small, Fontaine, Northwood, Oxby, Sweeney, Worrell, Smith
and 1999 FA Youth Cup winner with the Hammers, striker Bertie Brayley.
7.15pm - West Ham's substitutes are goalkeeper Sam Baxter, Sergio Sanchez,
Josh Siafa, Zak Stephens, Blair Turgott, Kieron Sadlier, Sebastian Lletget,
George Moncur, Rob Hall and Paul McCallum.
6.45pm - The West Ham United XI starting lineup is - Cowler, Driver, Shaw,
McNaughton, Faye, Stanislas, Montano, Abdulla, Wearen, Hines, Nouble. So,
Abdoulaye Faye makes his first start for the Hammers since injuring his
hamstring on his debut against FC Basel in Switzerland on 16 July. The
centre-back is one of four starters with first-team experience under their
belts - Junior Stanislas, Zavon Hines and Frank Nouble being the other
three.
6.40pm - Welcome to Rookery Hill. It's a cool evening here on the north side
of the Thames estuary. However, it looks like the rain that has been about
earlier in the day has gone away and we might have a dry 90 minutes. Grays,
I am told, did fairly well in the Ryman League Division One North last
season, considering their fate was not decided until a month before the
season. Their landlords here, East Thurrock United, were promoted to the
Ryman League Premier Division as champions.
Good evening and welcome to Rookery Hill in Corringham, home to East
Thurrock United FC and, on a temporary basis, Ryman League Division One
North club and tonight's hosts Grays Athletic.
Ian Hendon has brought his development squad to deepest Essex for the latest
in a series of pre-season fixtures, with a mixture of youth and first-team
experience expected to be on show. Hendon's side have defeated Bishop's
Stortford, Gillingham and Ebbsfleet United, drawn at Sutton United and lost
out at Weymouth during a busy build-up to the 2011/12 campaign. Manager Sam
Allardyce has shown an inclination to use young players and, with a Carling
Cup first-round tie against Aldershot Town next Tuesday evening to think
about, a number of the players on show tonight could be playing for a place
in that game. West Ham's most recent visit to Grays came in July 2009, when
Zavon Hines and Cristian Montano were on target in a 2-1 Hammers victory at
the New Rec.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham offer for striker Eric Mouloungui turned down by Nice
Page last updated at 17:02 GMT, Thursday, 4 August 2011 18:02 UK
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have had a bid rejected for Nice striker Eric Mouloungui, the
French club have revealed. The 27-year-old was Nice's top scorer last season
with eight goals and is in the final year of his contract. "West Ham
approached us with an offer which was of no interest. Eric Mouloungui is an
important player and we want to keep him," said Nice president Jean-Pierre
Rivere. Rivere admitted however that he may consider an improved offer.
"Obviously if it's an acceptable offer on different levels we're not stupid,
we'd study it, but it's not the case," added Rivere. Mouloungui, who can
also play in midfield, has scored 14 goals since signing for the club from
Strasbourg in 2008 and the Gabon international has not ruled out a move to
Upton Park. "I'm a Nice player and I'm happy to continue here but anything
is possible between now and the close of the transfer window," he said. West
Ham boss Sam Allardyce has already signed Joey O'Brien,Kevin Nolan,Abdoulaye
Faye and Matt Taylor this summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grays 1 West Ham Utd XI 5
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
A young West Ham XI comprehensively overcame Ryman League side Grays
tonight. Ian Hendon's development squad - which included a number of players
hoping to feature in Sam Allardyce's first team plans this coming season -
ran out 5-1 winners on the night at East Thurrock United, Grays' temporary
home. Although the home side took an unexpected lead just two minutes into
the game, the Hammers were back on level terms when Junior Stanislas
converted a free kick that somehow managed to evade the home side's
defensive wall just six minutes later. Hendon's side - watched by first team
boss Allardyce, who spent much of the evening signing autographs and
chatting to supporters - continued to apply the pressure and went ahead on
12 minutes when Frank Nouble scored a confidence-boosting goal when
finishing cooly from close range. Having barely recovered from the shock of
going behind, Grays - who featured former Hammers starlet Bertie Brayley on
the bench - conceded a third goal inside seven minutes when Eoin Wearen
completed another good move; Zavon Hines, whose own future remains in the
balance being the architect of both Wearen's and Nouble's efforts.
After four goals in the opening quarter-of-an-hour it was perhaps some
surprise that the crowd had to wait until midway through the second period
for a fifth. Junior Stanislas, who was recently linked with a loan move to
Leeds United notched his second of the evening to make it 4-1, when
following up Nouble's saved effort. West Ham, dominant for large periods of
the match wrapped the game up with a fifth goal deep into injury time.
Kieran Sadlier, the promising Republic of Ireland youth international
directed a neat flick beyond Grays' sub 'keeper Northwood to make the final
score 5-1 and complete a job well done. There was further good news for
manager Allardyce as new signing Abdoulaye Faye came through 45 minutes with
no reaction. The experienced Senegalese centre half is now likely to start
alongside James Tomkins against Cardiff at the Boleyn this Sunday.
Grays Athletic 1 West Ham Utd XI 5: match facts
West Ham Utd XI: Cowler (Baxter 81), Driver, Shaw (Siafa 60), McNaughton
(Stephens 70), Faye (Sanchez 46), Stanislas (Sadlier 70), Montano (Turgott
60), Abdulla (c), Wearen, Hines, Nouble (McCallum 70).
Subs not used: Lletget, Moncur, Hall.
Goals: Stanislas (8, 67), Nouble (12), Wearen (15), Sadlier (90+2).
Grays Athletic: Aksoy, Pope, Bunce, Thomas, Baker, Agumbar, Beaney, Denni,
Sigere, Carlos, Flynn.
Subs: Small, Fontaine, Northwood, Oxby, Sweeney, Worrell, Smith, Brayley.
Goals: Denni (2).
Attendance: 627.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Not so nice, say Nice
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th August 2011
By: Staff Writer
French club Nice have rejected an offer from West Ham for Eric Mouloungui.
Rumours of West Ham's interest in the Gabon international first emerged last
week. That interest was made concrete today when United made an undisclosed
bid for the 27-year-old, which was swiftly rejected by Les Aiglons. Speaking
to the BBC, Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere revealed: "West Ham approached
us with an offer which was of no interest. Eric Mouloungui is an important
player and we want to keep him. "Obviously if it's an acceptable offer on
different levels we're not stupid, we'd study it - but that's not the case."
Mouloungui has been at Nice since 2008 where he has been used as a
midfielder as often as in attack, his preferred position. Prior to moving
to his current club he spent time at RC Strasbourg (2003-07), ASPV
Strasbourg (2002-03) and Mangasport in Gabon (2001-02), his first club.
Mouloungui: pro career stats
All games played in Ligue 1 unless otherwise stated.
2002/03 ASPV Strasbourg (CFA2) P12 G0
2003/04 RC Strasbourg P22 G3
2004/05 RC Strasbourg P3 G0
2005/06 RC Strasbourg P2 G0
2005/06 Gueugnon (loan, Ligue 2) P8 G0
2006/07 RC Strasbourg (Ligue 2) P30 G11
2007/08 RC Strasbourg P33 G3
2008/09 Nice P30 G4
2009/10 Nice P17 G2
2010/11 Nice P34 G8
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers bid blocked by Nice
Gabon international linked with a move to a Championship club
Last Updated: August 4, 2011 5:55pm
SSN
West Ham United have had a bid for Nice striker Eric Mouloungui rejected by
the Ligue 1 club. The 27-year-old Gabon international has just one year left
on his present deal and has yet to reach an agreement with his employers
about an extension. "West Ham approached us with an offer which was of no
interest. Eric Mouloungui is an important player and we want to keep him."
Mouloungui was Nice's top scorer with eight goals last season and they would
be reluctant to lose the services of the marksman.
Offer
"West Ham approached us with an offer which was of no interest. Eric
Mouloungui is an important player and we want to keep him," Nice president
Jean-Pierre Rivere.
"Obviously if it's an acceptable offer on different levels we're not stupid,
we'd study it, but it's not the case." The player himself has stated he
would enjoy the challenge of moving to England and has not ruled out the
possibility of the transfer happening. He added: "I'm a Nice player and I'm
happy to continue here but anything is possible between now and the close of
the transfer window."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham bid £2m for Nicky Maynard
Published: Today
The Sun
WEST HAM have bid £2million for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard. But
Championship rivals City have told the Hammers to double that. City want at
least £4m plus add-ons for Maynard. West Ham have also made offers for
Fulham striker Andy Johnson and Liverpool's David Ngog.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammered! Allardyce fails in bid to lure Nice striker Mouloungui to Upton
Park
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:59 PM on 4th August 2011
Daily Mail
West Ham have had a bid for Nice striker Eric Mouloungui rejected. The
27-year-old Gabon international has just one year left on his contract.
West Ham also have an interest in free agent John Carew, Fulham's Andy
Johnson and Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham boss snubs West Ham's interest in Andy Johnson
By Matt Lewis
Aug 5 2011
Fulham Chronicle
MARTIN Jol has shrugged off suggestions that Andy Johnson is set to join
West Ham. The 30-year-old striker, who is in the final year of his contract
at Craven Cottage, has been linked with a £2million move to Upton Park but
Fulham boss Jol insists speculation is normal in the run up to the start of
the new season. "It's always the same, there are so many players of course
there is always interest," said Jol. "The five or six you that you don't
know about it then you know about it and start talking about one player, but
of course there's always interest because we've got good players." Johnson
was in impressive form as Fulham eased past RNK Split on Thursday night,
getting himself on the scoresheet before winning his side a penalty. And Jol
believes the former Everton hitman can become a vital part of his plans for
the coming campaign - provided he remains injury-free. "That is the way I
always saw him when I was working in England," Jol said after the 2-0
victory. "I have always thought he was a very good player and very lively.
If he stays fit he is a terrific player for us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
