WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1991-92 South East Counties League (Div 1)
Manager: Paul Hilton
ARSENAL
Chadwell Heath
2 - 2 (Clark, Comerford)
17 August 1991
Small, Johnson, White, Harriott, Basham, Williamson, Lowe, Holland, Richards (Miller), Clarke T. (Whitmarsh), Comerford
Our opening fixture on August 17th was the same as last season, versus Arsenal at Chadwell Heath. Gunners' team manager Pat Race had the early satisfaction of seeing his side take the lead after only four minutes' play; Paul Hilton's squad quickly got back on level terms just five minutes afterwards. The Hammers' lead-up was via a move from the right wing; the centre was headed on by Michael Basham, but the opposing 'keeper failed to hold the ball and Tony Comerford nipped in on the blind side to put it past the despairing defence. Our team took a 2-1 lead on the half-hour. A clearance to the halfway line was headed forward by David White to Tony Clarke, who lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to give us an interval advantage.
Arsenal came back to equalise during the second half, but were reduced to 10 men when the referee displayed a red card for dissent. From thence onwards the North Londoners held out to force a 2-2 draw, thus repeating the score from last season's game. Altogether a fair result, and pleasing to our manager and coaching staff who were impressed by the persistence of our team against last season's SECL champions.
GILLINGHAM
Chadwell Heath
1 - 2 (Miller)
24 August 1991
Small, Johnson, White, Harriott, Basham, Williamson, Lowe, Holland, Miller, Clarke T. (Whitmarsh), Comerford
The match at Chadwell Heath was an anti-climax after the previous week's 2-2 draw against Arsenal, because we lost a game that could reasonably have ended in victory for the Hammers. The Gillingham team had won their opening match of the season by 3-2 at Ipswich, but on this occasion it was our side that exerted the pressure almost from start to finish.
The Kent club produced the first surprise by opening the score in the tenth minute, and they maintained the advantage until after the change of ends. We made one change during the interval, Paul Whitmarsh replacing Tony Clarke. Within two minutes of the restart we were level, Simon Miller finishing a good move.
Despite having the run of the ball for most of the remainder of the game it appeared we were having to be content with a draw - only for the visitors to snatch a last-minute winner. A disappointing end to an interesting match.
PORTSMOUTH
Chadwell Heath
4 - 1 (Miller 2, Canham, Clark)
31 August 1991
Small, Johnson, White (Whitmarsh), Harriott, Basham, Canham, Lowe, Holland, Miller, Clarke T. (Whitmarsh), Comerford
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Sparrows Lane
2 - 2 (Brunning, Miller)
7 September 1991
Small, Johnson, White (Clarke S.), Harriott, Basham, Canham, Lowe, Holland, Miller, Richards (Whitmarsh), Brunning
The South Londoners had opened this season's schedule with three victories to top the table, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one. The Athletic management had also acquired the services of ex-Hammer John Cartwright as youth team manager, following his resignation as Technical Director of the Football Association's School of Excellence at Lilleshall.
Hammers' manager Billy Bonds also took the opportunity to see our youngsters in action whilst en route to the First Team fixture at Upton Park, so both XTs were under keen scrutiny. By the end of the 90 minutes' play the respective coaches had seen each team meet with varying fortunes, eventually ending in a sharing of points through a 2-2 draw.
The Hammers opened the scoring, following a free-kick on the left flank; the ball was headed on by Roy Johnson, and Simon Miller scrambled it in for his fourth goal this season. Miller also participated in the move leading to our second counter, his pass to John Lowe creating the opening for John Brunning to be unmarked with the Charlton net unguarded. It was Bmnning's first SECL appearance this Charlton's opener was scored five minutes prior to the interval, and they drew level midway through the second half with a penalty awarded for what we considered to be a controversial hand-ball, which subsequently led to a dismissal of our player for dissent.
Nevertheless, our remaining 10 men (including two subs) were able to match the opposition, and the home goalkeeper made two good saves in the closing stages from Scott Canham and Paul Whitmarsh following corner-kicks.
A most interesting morning for all concerned, summarised by Billy Bonds' opinion that Charlton appear to have one of the best youth sides he has seen in recent years, with half-a-dozen players of particularly good potential.
IPSWICH TOWN
Portman Road
0 - 1
14 September 1991
Small
Kent
Fleming
Victory
Waters
Canham
Geraghty
Knight
Brunning
Clarke T. (Reeve)
Currie (Whitmarsh)
There were eight debutantes were Darren Currie, Shaun Fleming, Jason Geraghty, Stuart Kent, Jason Knight, Mark Reeve, Jamie Victory and Gary Waters.
The overall performance drew considerable praise from the team manager, despite a defeat sustained by a single goal netted around nine minutes from time. The home side's goalkeeper was a star of the match, making several excellent saves, including a couple in the closing stages after his side had gone ahead. He also stopped a penalty-kick midway in the second half to prevent the Hammers opening the score.
In contrast, the Town strikers were usually off target at the end of their attacks, and it was all the more disappointing that they were partially "presented" with the decider through a misplaced goal-kick which went directly to one of their players; the chance was accepted with alacrity, the ball being chipped over Keith Small and into an empty net.
BRISTOL ROVERS : SECL Cup (First Round)
Cadbury Schweppes Sports Ground
6 - 1 (Richards 2, Geraghty, Holland, Miller, Whitmarsh)
21 September 1991
Small
Harriott (Holland)
Fleming
Victory
Waters
Williamson
Geraghty
Canham
Miller
Richards
Currie (Whitmarsh)
As the kick-off was set for 11am the squad transport left Upton Park at 7.30, arriving in the West Country about half-an-hour before deadline time.
Although the surrounding countryside is exceedingly pretty the pitch was of rather less than top-quality, and following the somewhat tiring journey it was not exactly surprising that the Hammers took some time to settle down.
Furthermore, we had an enforced team-change when Marvin Harriott retired hurt after only 17 minutes' play, Matt Holland taking over as sub. The first 45 minutes proved goalless, and at half-time Paul Whitmarsh replaced David Currie.
From thence onwards it literally became "a game of two halves." Within seven minutes of the re-start we were three up; schoolboy Jason Geraghty opened our account (48 minutes) and Tony Richards netted twice in a couple of minutes. The score remained that way until 10 minutes from the end, but the next five minutes produced a further four goals in what was truly an astonishing finale.
BRENTFORD : SJFC (First Round)
Upton Park
4 - 4 aet (Brunning, Canham, Richards [pen], Whitmarsh)
30 September 1991
Small
Holland
White
Victory (Johnson)
Waters
Williamson
Geraghty
Canham
Brunning
Richards
Miller (Whitmarsh)
Our first round tie against Brentford at Upton Park produced a match of eight goals that went into extra-time. The young Bees are in the other division of the South East Counties League, and have won all their opening six games, mostly due to conceding only two goals. They are physically strong.
They began this cup-tie with a goal in the 14th minute and one shortly afterwards. We fought back to reduce the arrears in the 23rd minute, but the West Londoners netted again to be 3-1 ahead at the interval.
However, within 10 minutes of the restart the Hammers were back on level terms. Paul Whitmarsh made it 2-3 and then Tony Richards converted a penalty-kick to set the score at three apiece. The scores were still level after 90 minutes, so it went into an extra half-hour.
Nine minutes into the extended period Scott Canham put us in the lead for the first time, and it appeared likely that we would make progress to round two at the first attempt.
However, with just one minute to go Brentford struck back to gain a late equaliser and set the stage for a replay at Griffin Park
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Chadwell Heath
1 - 1 (Sigurdsson)
5 October 1991
Small, Johnson, Comerford, Basham (Canham), Waters, Sigmundsson, Geraghty, Holland, Brunning (Richards), Sigurdsson, Larusson
Our team for the home match against Cambridge United on Saturday, October 5th included three players from Iceland: Kristin Larusson, Ruhan Sigmundsson and Helgi Sigurdsson.
They have been training with our squads at Chadwell Heath, and also made second half appearances in the Reserve team friendly against Gillingham the previous afternoon. Cambridge provided us with a hard game and early on hit a post and the crossbar. They held us to only one worthwhile shot, but eventually succumbed to a goal 10 minutes before half-time. Larusson centred the ball and Sigurdsson beat his man before netting in the far comer. Two minutes later Michael Basham had to be given stitches following a collision of heads. Scott Canham took his place and went near to adding to our score. Cambridge equalised five minutes into the second half and it became very competitive, with two of the Icelanders nearly breaking the deadlock. In the end both teams had to settle for 1-1.
BRENTFORD : SJFC (First Round Replay)
Griffin Park
3 - 1 aet (Richardson, Whitmarsh, [og])
7 October 1991
Small
Johnson
Comerford
Waters
Basham
Canham
Geraghty (Richards)
Holland
Brunning (Williamson)
Whitmarsh
Miller
The first round replay against Brentford at Griffin Park proved to be as difficult a task as that encountered in the 4-4 draw at Upton Park. The teams had previously participated in an extra half-hour in the first clash; as events turned out it was to be a repeat situation on Monday, October 7th.
It was a somewhat dour contest, and did not produce as high a standard as anticipated. However, our team's performance was generally competent, and such that we might well have earned victory during the normal 90 minutes.
We scored the first goal of the match in the 35th minute, when Scott Canham's shot was diverted into the Bees' net by a defender. It spurred the Brentford lads to equalise a minute before half-time, thanks to a good move after a throw-in.
The homesters pressured us at times after the interval, but Keith Small foiled them with some creditable saves. Nevertheless, the Hammers had their fair share of the exchanges; and when Paul Whitmarsh put the ball between the uprights three minutes from time we thought we had won, only for the "goal" to be disallowed. Small continued his good work in the opening quarter-hour of extra time; then the East Londoners asserted their authority at the other end when a move down the left flank and a centre from Michael Basham
concluded with Whitmarsh's shot curling into the top corner of the net. Brentford attempted a final rally, but five minutes from time Whitmarsh crossed the ball and Tony Richards dived to head it home for a final 3-1 count in our favour. It was Richards' fourth goal in three cup appearances this season.
CHELSEA
Imperial College Ground, Harlington
Small, White, Comerford, Waters, Basham, Geraghty (Williamson), Miller, Holland, Brunning, Richards (Johnson), Whitmarsh
A journey through West London took our youth squad to the Imperial College Ground at Harlington, Middlesex for the match against Chelsea. With five wins out of seven games, the Blues held third place in the table, so we anticipated a difficult task. In that respect our expectations were fulfilled, but overall the Hammers performed creditably, though on occasions erratically. The squad is improving, but requires to become more consistent if a succession of victories are to be strung together.
It was not until the 32nd minute that Chelsea opened the score, and we did well enough to cause them problems during the remainder of the first half. An equaliser was always possible, although we again commend goalkeeper Keith Small for his work and anticipation.
Our attackers were eventually rewarded for persistence when, almost on the hour, Tony Richards' centre from the right flank was powerfully headed home by Paul Whitmarsh; Paul has been "super sub" so far this season, with four goals in nine games (five of which he has begun on the bench).
It took another 10 minutes for Chelsea to reassert themselves; they regained their lead and eventually ended as 2-1 winners, being further denied any addition to their score by good goalkeeping.
WATFORD
Chadwell Heath
2 -2 (Brunning, Comerford)
19 October 1991
Small, White, Comerford, Harriott, Basham, Williamson, Miller, Holland, Richards (Lowe), Whitmarsh, Brunning
The visitors had the wind at their backs during the first half, but the Hammers got away to a good start by netting in the tenth minute. A run by Danny Williamson, a pass to Simon Miller that was followed by a good centre into the area, left John Brunning to add the completion.
We continued to do well, but although having the better of the play eventually conceded a goal with only five minutes to go before the interval. 1-1, but Brunning had nearly added his personal second -only to be foiled by the goalkeeper's excellent save from this headed attempt.
Strangely, we did not take advantage of the wind-assistance, and Watford played as well against it as we had prior to half-time. Nevertheless, they conceded another goal when Tony Comerford beat two men and placed a good shot into the corner of the net. 2-1 to the Hammers after 54 minutes.
With 85 minutes gone on the clock it appeared that the outcome had been settled in our favour; but the Hornets had made several threats during the preceding half-hour, and they deserved to share the points - although their second equaliser was a semi-gift due to a poorly-executed back-pass which left Keith Small on a one-to-one situation against the eventual scorer.
The point was sufficient to advance us two places up the table.
OXFORD UNITED : SECL Cup (Second Round)
Chadwell Heath
2 - 1 (Comerford, Richards)
26 October 1991
Small, White, Comerford, Harriott (Knight), Waters, Williamson, Miller, Holland, Richards, Brunning (Lowe), Whitmarsh
Our second round tie against Oxford United was played at Chadwell Heath. The visitors are mid-table in their division of the youth league, and were more impressive on the day than statistics indicate. They gave us a hard game, and took the lead on the half-hour.
However, the Hammers made a speedy response, aided by a misplaced back-pass that let in Tony Comerford. He made ground along the bye-line and put the ball past the 'keeper from a narrow angle. In some respects the visitors were the better side during the second 45 minutes. Nevertheless, we produced the best move of the match with some 20 minutes to go, six players participating in a downfield sweep that left John Lowe to put Tony Richards into open space with the ball at his feet. The advancing goalkeeper was successfully eluded, and a clinical finish took the Hammers into a 2-1 lead. There remained exciting moments to come in the closing stages, but our team held on to qualify for the quarter-finals.
LEYTON ORIENT
Douglas Eyre Sports Centre
5 - 4 (Richards 2 [1 pen], Holland, Miller, Reeves)
2 November 1991
Small, White, Comerford (Waters), Harriott, Basham, Williamson, Miller, Holland, Richards, Whitmarsh, Lowe (Reeve)
Leyton Orient are using a new ground for youth matches this season, so our fixture took place at the Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow. Occupying a mid-table position, our near-neighbours have a useful set of youngsters and gave us a good game. In fact, they were in the lead midway through the second half, but eventually conceded the points in a nine-goal contest. The final 5-4 count in our favour made it a close duel on paper, but the margin was not adequately reflected in the difference between the sides, because the Hammers gave a performance generally better than of late.
It was obviously an entertaining 90 minutes for the spectators, and both teams were in an attacking mood. We opened the scoring when Michael Basham's free-kick was laid back by Paul Whitmarsh for Matt Holland to net from 20 yards. It was followed by a Tony Richards' goal from a pass by Simon Miller in the 38th minute.
There were three further scores prior to the interval. A free-kick led to Orient reducing our lead in the 42nd minute, shortly followed by Richards' conversion of a penalty. Medical attention to the home 'keeper necessitated five minutes of injury time to be added to the opening half, and during that spell the O's got their second counter. Orient levelled it at 3-3 six minutes into the second half and went ahead on 68, following which Paul Hilton sent on Mark Reeve. The 16 year-old striker soon made his mark, scoring within a minute of taking the field. That set the scene for an inspired finish, and a move between Holland and Danny Williamson set up Simon Miller for his sixth goal of the season.
MILLWALL
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ASTON VILLA : SJFC (Second Round)
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SOUTHEND UNITED
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
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CHELSEA : SECL Cup (Third Round)
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KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS : FAYC (Second Round)
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FULHAM
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ARSENAL
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GILLINGHAM
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PORTSMOUTH
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READING : FAYC (Third Round)
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC
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NORWICH CITY
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SOUTHEND UNITED : FAYC (Fourth Round)
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CAMBRIDGE UNITED
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SOUTHEND UNITED : FAYC (Fourth Round Replay)
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SOUTHEND UNITED : FAYC (Fourth Round 2nd Replay)
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WATFORD
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LEYTON ORIENT
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CRYSTAL PALACE : FAYC (Fifth Round)
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MILLWALL
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SOUTHEND UNITED
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
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FULHAMN
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
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NORWICH CITY
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
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IPSWICH TOWN
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CHELSEA
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