Nationwide Division One PO
Ipswich Town 1 West Ham United 0

Saturday, 15th May 2004
by Nick Homer

Tuesday 18 March 2004, 7.45pm. Bring your prayer mats, bring your lucky shirts, walk through the turnstiles backwards, use the lucky programme seller, touch the family silver and drink with your left hand. West Ham United need your help.

A single goal from Ipswich forward Darren Bent put a dent in promotion hopes as West Ham failed to turn a number of chances into goals at Portman Road this afternoon. An open game that promised goals but produced few thanks to wasteful finishing has left West Ham requiring a one-goal victory inside ninety minutes to remain in the tie.

While the game started brightly, with Tomas Repka replacing an inexperienced Anton Ferdinand, West Ham could not convert large portions of possession into a positive result against a resolute Ipswich side. The first half produced much for both sides, Zamora going closest for the Hammers, firing a shot from the 18 yard line just wide of the post, and then dragging a chance wide of the far upright when inside the area. Despite the nervous excitement, Zamora?EUR(TM)s frustration summed up the performance.

Midway through the half Bywater left his area to challenge a 50-50 ball, only to be left stranded as the ball pinged to the edge of the area only for the resultant shot to be cleared off the line by a well-positioned Andy Melville. Deep breaths taken by all, but it became more and more obvious that confidence is in short supply at the back. While Dailly once again defended the goal like a noble bodyguard might block a bullet for his master, Repka continued to follow up experienced defending with careless mistakes. With Mullins forced to cover at left-back, surely the return of Brevett cannot be too far away.

The second half lacked the high-tempo of the first, the temperature perhaps playing a role with the players?EUR(TM) fitness. While the first half had allowed Etherington to probe forward, Ipswich closed down the midfield shutting Carrick out of the game for long periods. If there?EUR(TM)s one thing this boy needs to learn, it?EUR(TM)s about getting into the thick of it. Games like this require more passion than panache, and Michael needs to up the stakes. Stevie Lomas shook off a bug to add his own brand of muscle to the centre of the park but Marlon Harewood still looks uncomfortable out wide even if he enjoyed some form of success down the flank. Several telling runs caused havoc, and clever link up play with Connolly and Zamora saw a chance bounce off the side netting for Marlon in the first period.

Ten minutes in though, the goal which the game had threatened presented itself. A rifled shot from Naylor rattled the cross bar and boomeranged straight at Repka. Tomas froze, the ball spun in the area, and Bent headed into the empty net. West Ham urged themselves forward, but as frustration took hold first touches became clumsy and final balls ended up at opposition feet. The addition of McAnuff for Zamora allowed Harewood to return to his favoured position, but Jobi enjoyed little success on the ball, often being muscled out by the Ipswich defence.

Ipswich happily played out the rest of the half, scarcely threatening the Hammers?EUR(TM) goal while the Irons scrappily edged forward ?EUR" scared to concede to too nervy to split open their opponents. Close to thirty chances on goal were created by the two teams, but few found their way to the target despite the array of firepower on offer.

And so to Tuesday, where performances must improve, desire must be increased, and passion must be charged. There are ninety minutes left in this game. An hour and a half to overturn a one nil deficit and pave the road to Cardiff with a pattern of claret and blue. A good performance, a little bit of luck, one of those special evening atmospheres that only the Boleyn can produce and we?EUR(TM)re there. I?EUR(TM)m off to park my car under a bird?EUR(TM)s nest?EUR?

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Player Ratings

Stephen Bywater
Despite the action Steve had very little to do. Almost spilled one long-range effort but not at fault for the goal.


Tomas Repka
Tomas Repka the defensive puzzle. World-class and Sunday league, all in one game, could arguably have dealt with the rebound that led to the goal more effectively, but at least managed to escape without a booking.


Hayden Mullins
Played out of position at left-back but linked well with Etherington on the left. A much better performance than teammate Ferdinand last week at Wigan.


Christian Dailly
Christian the Brave again gave a captain?EUR(TM)s example, and even managed a forty yard run at one point. Inspirational but still in the middle of a nervous back four.


Andy Melville
Another assured display and who knows how valuable that goal line clearance might be? A steady and experienced head.


Michael Carrick
Some good long range passes, but still not too keen on the physical side of things. Needs to be given room to play to be most effective.


Steve Lomas
Like Dailly, leads from the front and gave another 100% performance today. A certain starter for Tuesday.


Matthew Etherington
Showing signs of the quality seen earlier in the season. Useful on the ball and still our best creative source.


Bobby Zamora
Looked much sharper today and only a few inches away from scoring. Taken off for McAnuff in the second half, but caused Ipswich no end of problems.


Marlon Harewood
Worked hard, tracked back, but left with few scoring chances. Replaced by Deane late on but often out-powered the Ipswich defence.


David Connolly
Another hard working performance from the Irishman, playing sensible balls and running endlessly. Maybe not selfish enough at times.



Substitutes

Jobi McAnuff
(Replaced Zamora, 69) Never really got going, but seemed eager to get forward. Unlikely to start in the second leg but offers another attacking option.


Brian Deane
(Replaced Harewood, 78) Didn?EUR(TM)t manage the same impact that he had against Wigan, and had few chances to make a difference.


Nigel Reo-Coker
(Replaced Etherington, 90) On to save Etherington?EUR(TM)s legs, no more, no less.


Pavel Srnicek
Did not play.


Anton Ferdinand
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Stephen Bywater, Tomas Repka, Hayden Mullins, Christian Dailly, Andy Melville, Michael Carrick, Steve Lomas, Matthew Etherington, Bobby Zamora, Marlon Harewood, David Connolly.

Goals: None.

Booked: None booked.           .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Ipswich Town: Davis, Richards, Wilnis, McGreal, Elliott, Miller, Magilton, Wright, Westlake, Bent, Naylor.

Subs not used: Price, Reuser.

Goals: Bent (57).

Booked: Magilton (36), Wilnis (79).

Sent off: None.

Referee: M.Clattenburg.

Attendance: 28,435.

Man of the Match: Christian Dailly.