Friday, July 3

Andorran stroll for Hammers

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 CafĂ© 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:

matt said...

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....

mj said...

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

Pete May said...

Thanks for the updates Matt and NJ, almost feels like I was there!