West Ham 3 FC Lusitans 0 (Europa League Qualifier)
Surely definitive proof that West Ham have the best fans in
the Premier League. What other club would get 34,000 on July 2 for a Europa
League Qualifier? Sadly I’m away in Norfolk for this one as my sister is
visiting from Australia and has foolishly booked her ten days in England
without considering the chance of West Ham qualifying for the Europa League via
the Fair Play league. Very poor planning indeed from the Antipodean section of the family. At least Matt is able to
report from Ken’s Café that Carol has the iced lattes ready and the air
conditioning is on (Billy waving a rolled up copy of the Standard).
Super Slaven Bilic is introduced to the crowd before the game and then takes a seat in the stand. Matt’s texts alleviate any nerves during our curry in Kings
Lynn. “Slowish start. No easy games at this level. At 40 mins I am getting
worried. Diafra then got a header, then a tap in, both made by Zarate.”
Tomkins adds a third in the second half, scored from a Matt
Jarvis cross (when did Matty last get an assist?) to complete the 3-0 win.
There’s also some nice crowd banter aimed at FC Lusitans’ porky coach and another debutant, sub Josh Cullen, hits the bar late on.
Looking at the line-up the Europa League seems a benefit at
this early stage. Sixteen-year-old Reece Oxford has become the youngest player
to ever play for the club, making his debut in midfield. Lewis Page, another
Academy graduate, makes his debut at left back too. Sakho and Tomkins are
returning from injury and need games while the rest of the side consists of
players who didn’t play much last season and should be fresh, in the likes of
Joey O’Brien, Jarvis, Poyet and Amalfitano. There’s also the intriguing
prospect of Mauro Zarate possibly resurrecting his career at the club under a
new gaffer.
There’s a little manufactured controversy at the end when
the Lusitans gaffer criticises Slaven Bilic for not taking charge and letting
Academy coach Terry Westley sit on the touchline. In fairness, Westley did do
all the preparation while we were waiting to appoint a manager, so he surely
deserves his moment in the dugout. Now we just have to hope that WHU can survive
the away leg in front of 1000 fanatical Andorrans…
3 comments:
I should point out for the sake of accuracy that Amalfitano provided the final ball for the second goal, although Zarate was involved. Morgan nearly scored with a fine chip after a poor clearance by their keeper, who also made decent saves from Amalfitano and Djair Parfitt-Williams, and Oxford smashed one just wide. We should probably have scored a couple more, but three felt OK. Lusitans were an annoying combination of nasty fouls, and feigning injury all the time, which is why the crowd started singing "you're not famous and you're shit". The best skill was by a ballboy who controlled a very high ball superbly, leading the crowd to suggest Slaven should sing him up, before requesting a wave, which he did. And the Captain Bob in the Black Lion was very palatable....
Tense, stressful, and rushed, after the match that is, coping with that queuing system at Upton park station. The match dawdled through the last half hour...and no super fizzy lager on sale in the ground, which was no loss really
Thanks for the updates Matt and NJ, almost feels like I was there!
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