KO Odd match, neither team has a manager. Early chance for West Ham leads to a poor Marcus GK that goes out for a throw. West Ham stay in a 4-3-3 West Ham fans sing, "we want your manager!"
Mellor with a shot on the turn, no problems for Marcus. Ball over the top for Reading finds its way to David James. Mellor breaks through ... shoots straigt at Marcus, rebound cleared for a WH corner and we suck at those so no worries for Marcus. Cleared away by Reading.
Marcus is under heavy fire ... Defoe with a shot and then Connolly with the rebound effort. Some reason a goal kick is given. Defoe again gets around Marcus ... cannot convert the chance as his angle is too poor. Reading defense is crap in the first 7 minutes.
Mellor with another chance from the new man Quinn. Hits the deck but no foul given as he is squeezed out by two Reading defenders. Repka with a challenge on Goater. Looking very comfortable at the right back, which says alot for Repka. Free kick to the Irons. Shot, strikes the base of the wall. Reading cross, overhit but kept in play by Ferdinand. About 10 minutes in, 0-0
A Mellor header finds the top net. A Reading corner is headed away by Repka. Ball goes all the way back to Marcus and that draws a few boo's. Repka and Goater have already had a couple of battles, both of which Repka have won. James with the free kick.
GOAL!!!! Third corner for West Ham in the match and Dailly bangs it into the back of the net. West Ham, 1-0. Announcers blame Murphy on the line. No mention of Marcus.
That goal was slightly against the run of play in the last 5 minutes or so. Lee with the free kick, 20 minutes in, WH 1-0. Headed clear and Reading maintain possession, playing it backwards. Deep cross over Repka's head and the volley is played away by Repka who backtracked well. Sidwell earns the first caution of the match.
GK for Marcus. To Shoring. Lee picks it off his man. Defender gives it away to Connolly but he cannot find the angle and West Ham muff another good chance but earn a a throw. Cross cleared away by a Reading header. West Ham exposed on a ball over the top but new man Quinn with a challenge to douse the fire.
Reading free kick, foul on Quinn as he gets shoved off the ball. Oh well. Match slowing down a bit. Overhit cross by Reading goes astray for a goal kick. James clears. James makes a save on a shot/cross from Harper. First real save that I can think of for Calamity.
Ref waves a play on on a West Ham challege that was a bit rash. Repka with a decent looking cross, played away by Sidwell. WH maintain possesion. 34 minutes gone, 1-0 to WH. West Ham not having the best of spells, another ball played over the top that goes out for a goal kick. James and Repka having a chat ... not sure they are always on the same page.
Defoe earns a yellow for dissent or time wasting, whichever you like best. Free kick headed away. Defoe fouled, free kick quickly taken. Nothing comes of it. West Ham seem to be wilting a little bit. Great challenge by Repka on Hughes, throw level on the edge of the area.
Shot by Hughes, James comes up with the save. West Ham build possesion from the back. Poor cross easily saved by Marcus. Yellow to Repka for a tug of the shirt. Only one minute of stoppage. Reading can count themselves lucky for not being down more than 1.
Second half KO James with an early save on a Reading chance. Another shot by Reading, blocked by Repka. West Ham breaks out. Defoe inside the box but loses possesion. Mellor with some poor decisions and West Ham lose possesion. 51 mnutes gone, 1-0 to West Ham
Murray with a driven ball. Deflected and then cleared away. West Ham looking very wobbly at the moment. New signing Alexandersson on, Ferdinand off. Etherington on for Mellor.
Ok, back to the PbP Repka with a free kick. Great cross from Repka that floats tantalizingly over the heads of everyone. Pisser. West Ham with some possesion, Lee has a go and the save is made by Marcus. Kick goes all the way down for a James GK.
Etherington finds Defoe in the box but the cross is crap and Marcus collects. Poor final ball. Repka with another fine challenge earns a West Ham throw. West Ham go backwards and goater disposses Horlock, shot comes in but it comes for naught. Reading shot from the edge of the box, deflection over the bar. Corner for Reading. Murray, right footed, headed just over by Brown.
Defoe, low weak left footed shot saved by Marcus. West Ham up, 1-0. West Ham with some possesion. Cross whipped in and volleyed around by Brown. No one went for that cross which amazed the Bobby Moore stand. Quinn cross just beyond Defoe. Reading break out. Comes to nothing. Harper off, Watson on for Reading.