WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1991-92 Neville Ovenden Football Combination
Manager: ?
OXFORD UNITED
Manor Ground
0 - 2
14 August 1991
Parks
White
Horlock
Holland
Basham
Thomas
Rush
Livett (Clarke A.)
Clarke S.
Martin D.
Keen
The Reserves' competitive schedule opened three days prior to the full league fixtures, because of a request by several clubs to possibly ease a crowded end-of-season list due to postponements, etc.
We commenced with a visit to the Manor Ground on the evening of Wednesday, August 14th, facing Oxford United's second-string.
The Hammers' XI comprised a mixture of young pros, youth squad members and new faces, plus Kevin Keen testing out for possible first team action following ankle ligament damage. The "new boys" were Mitchell Thomas (ex-Spurs), goalkeeper Tony Parks (ex-Southend) and Dean Martin (ex-Fisher Athletic).
As a group the team worked hard, generally combined well and played throughout the full 90 minutes unchanged. The first half ended scoreless, and as the game progressed it appeared likely that a goal either way would settle the destination of the points.
The belief was proven when the home side took the lead, and further confirmed when they added a second goal as we pressed to force an equaliser. However, the 0-2 result was disappointing and somewhat harsh from our viewpoint.
SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
0 - 1
21 August 1991
Banks
Livett
Horlock
Basham
Marquis
Rush
Martin D. (Holland)
Keen
McAvennie
Morley
Clarke (Harriott)
We had hopes of collecting some return from the visit to The Dell, but fortune and a solitary goal by the Southampton second-string combined to leave us still awaiting an initial point in the competition for 1991-92.
The Hammers' starting line-up was mainly composed of younger professionals, but was leavened by three with considerable league experience. The Saints' squad was similar in texture, so the 90 minutes of play was pretty well evenly balanced.
The home side goal netted during the first half was a case of "he who hesitates is lost". The lead-up move appeared to involve a handling offence, and our defence momentarily hesitated - expecting play to be halted. However, the old adage of "play to the whistle" was forgotten, and in the absence of the referee's decision in our favour the opposition cashed in to take the lead.
Our team continued to have their fair share of the exchanges and created a couple of particularly good opportunities. Unfortunately they went unaccepted, and the chance of even one point to show for our efforts was lost.
Defensively, our youngsters did well, and in general there are prospects of a higher placing in this season's final table.
SWINDON TOWN
Upton park
1 - 5 ([og])
3 September 1991
Banks
Harriott
Horlock
Holland
Potts
Marquis
Miller
Livett
Clarke S.
Williamson
Brunning
The early stages were pretty even and Hammers just about held the edge until the18th minute. Then Dave Bennett took out three defenders before driving the ball inside the far post. Hammers were unlucky in the following minute, but gained a completely unexpected equaliser when a Swindon defender lobbed a back-pass over his goalkeeper's head. It was poetic justice, as Simon Clarke's header had merited a goal - but had rebounded the wrong way off an upright.
The closing ten minutes before the interval were disastrous for the Hammers, as the visitors scored three times to gain a 4-1 half-time advantage. The first goal came from a "tree header", and the defence was again at sixes-and-sevens as Shaun Close was on the mark twice in four minutes; but a three-goal advantage was rather more than the Robins deserved, as Clarke had again come near to scoring with a 20-yard drive.
Basham had a fine 50-yard run and ended with a shot that tested the goalkeeper; but from the resultant clearance Hunt ran through to net Swindon's fifth, counter. Most of the remaining half-hour was played out on level terms, although Clarke nearly caught the opposition napping with a back-heeled shot. However, all Hammers' attempts were in vain, and the final whistle came with us still seeking our first point.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
0 - 2
11 September 1991
Parks
White (Brunning)
Horlock
Gale
Waters
Marquis (Miller)
Rush
Livett
Rosenior
McAvennie
Clarke S.
The Hammers' XI included two players making their first appearance in our colours this season: Gary Waters, who will be 17 in November, is from our youth squad; slightly older(!) Tony Gale, was making a return after lengthy absence through injury.
The opening half was goalless, and play continued on a fairly easy basis until the Seagulls were awarded a penalty-kick; the linesman's decision mystified us, but apparently was based on alleged shirt-tugging, during a fifty-fifty duel.
The spot-kick conversion put us one down, but several chances of equalising, were created, resulting in narrow escapes for the home side as the ball flew across the face of the goal. Both Leroy Rosenior and Frank McAvennie carne near to making the vital connection, but to no avail, and the outcome was more-or-less settled when Brighton netted a second some ten minutes from the end. The time ran out with the score at 2-0 in favour of the seasiders.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Chadwell Heath
2 - 3 (Livett, [og])
14 September 1991
Parks
Hughton (Williamson)
Harriott
Gale
Marquis
Horlock
Livett
McAvennie
Keen
Martin D.
Clarke S.
The fixture against Queens Park Rangers Reserves was played at our Chadwell Heath training ground, as Charlton Athletic were using Upton Park for their League game against Portsmouth.
Our XI included Chris Hughton; it was his first Combination appearance after injury had caused him to miss most of the season so far; but a bang on the knee necessitated Chris's substitution five minutes into the second half and a conseguential re-shuffle of the line-up.
Among his colleagues also having injury-tests were Tony Gale and Kevin Keen, so it was one of the most experienced Combination sides we have been able to field this season.
It got away to a speedy start, Hammers being one up after only a minute of playing-time; Kevin Horlock took a comer-kick, which deflected from an opponent's head to make our "own goal" count up to two in the five opening games.
We added to that advantage when Simon Livett was left with only the 'keeper to beat after a good one-two move with Frank McAvennie, and the 2-0 lead was looking safe until Rangers replied just before half-time; the West Londoners' goal came from a header following a free-kick.
The visitors drew level some 20 minutes before the end, a header into the penalty-box setting up Rangers' new signing - Paul Walsh from Spurs - for his first goal in QPR colours.
This put the opposition into the ascendancy, and they were having the better of the play as the game went into the closing stages. They settled the destination of the points with a "free header" after a short-comer set piece, and went home happy with a 3-2 score in their favour, to move up to second place in the standings with four wins in five games.
WATFORD
Vicarage Road
5 - 3 (McAvennie 2, Rosenior 2, Keen)
25 September 1991
Parks
Hughton
Allen
Gale
Martin A.
Marquis
Rush (Martin D.)
McAvennie
Rosenior
Livett
Keen
At the Vicarage Road Ground we recorded our first Combination victory of the season. The Hammers' XI that evening was certainly the strongest in experience that we have been able to field so far, Paul Marojiis being the only one who has not played in the Football League. Among the participants were several making re-appearances after injury, including Chris Hughton, Martin Allen and Kevin Keen, plus Alvin Martin who donned a Hammers' shirt for the first time in a competitive game since last March.
A total of eight goals were scored during the 90 minutes of entertaining football; we conceded three of them, but might well have doubled the five which produced an eventual 5-3 margin in our favour. However, it is worthy of mention that the Hornets' first counter - just before the interval - brought a yellow-card appeal, as two players were in palpable offside situations when the ball rebounded from Alvin Martin. Play was allowed to continue, so the teams went in at half-time with the count at one-apiece as Watford scored.
Leroy Rosenior had opened our account in the tenth minute, a good move leaving him in the clear to fire the ball across the goalkeeper and net off the post. We again hit the woodwork shortly afterwards, but Watford escaped punishment as the ball bounced back into play. Ex-Hammer Alan Devonshire was having a good game for the home side, and his team twice took the lead in the second half. Frank McAvennie evened it up for us at 2-2 and then Kevin Keen put us on level terms at 3-3 when he floated the ball over their goalkeeper from 30 yards range to merit a goal-of-trie-match commendation.
From thence onwards the Irons were always in ascendancy; Rosenior got his second with a header following a corner-kick and McAvennie was again on the scoreline to conclude the proceedings.
LUTON TOWN
Chadwell Heath
0 - 1
1 October 1991
Parks
Hughton
Horlock
Foster
Martin A.
Rush
Allen M.
McAvennie
Rosenior
Livett (Martin D.)
Keen
An overcast sky, relieved by occasional bursts of sunshine, and a strong wind, were hardly the best background for an enthralling afternoon. Nevertheless, the respective XI's promised - on paper - to produce an above-ordinary level of contest. Unfortunately the expectations were not fulfilled, and there were few goalscoring opportunities created by either side.
The wind was partly responsible for Luton taking the lead in the 16th minute, a bouncing upfield clearance getting away from our defenders to put Kurk Nogan in the clear. He chipped the ball over Tony Parks just under the bar, so leaving our team to plug away for an equaliser. It appeared that we could even -the count just before the interval, but goalkeeper Andy Petterson made an excellent save from Frank McAvennie and the Town went in one up at half-time.
We subbed Dean Martin for Simon Livett at the end of an hour's play; but although our approach work created some good chances the strikers could not make that vital finish we were seeking. We came nearest to scoring when McAvennie headed against the bar in the 65th minute; the rebound went to Dean Martin, but his effort was cleared off the line and the visitors lived to fight again. Luton had survived a hard-defended five minutes just before the interval and eventually did well enough to hold us scoreless until the end. They were obviously happy with their 1-0 success, but all things considered it had not been a convincing afternoon on our part.
SWINDON TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
READING
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
IPSWICH TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
READING
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
OXFORD UNITED
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
LUTON TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
WATFORD
Upton Park
19 November 1991
Postponed : Torrential Rain
IPSWICH TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
ARSENAL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
WIMBLEDON
Terence McMillan Stadium
10 December 1991
Postponed : Heavy Frost
SOUTHAMPTON
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
WIMBLEDON
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
NORWICH CITY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
ARSENAL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
WATFORD
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
NORWICH CITY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
PORTSMOUTH
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
MILLWALL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
FULHAM
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
FULHAM
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
PORTSMOUTH
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE
Plough Lane
30 March 1992
Postponed: Reason ?
WIMBLEDON
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
CHELSEA
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
MILLWALL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
