WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1999-00 FA Premier Reserves League
Manager: Roger Cross
Home games played at Brisbane Road, matchroom Stadium - Leyton Orient
DERBY COUNTY
Baseball Ground
0 - 0
17 August 1999
Bywater
Purches
Angus
Forbes
Etherington
McCann
Omoyinmi
Cole
Abou
Alexander
Carrick
A brilliant display from England Youth goalkeeper Stephen Bywater earned the Hammers a deserved point in their opening fixture in the new FA Premier Reserve League.
Derby were the better side for most of the first-half, but were denied the lead by a string of great Bywater saves. The Hammers improved after the break and were unlucky not to score when a shot from Grant McCann rebounded from the woodwork.
Then the Hammers had a strong penalty claim turned down by the referee after Joe Cole had been clearly fouled in the box. Bywater was then called upon to make another couple of fine saves to prevent the Rams from scoring the match-winner.
LEICESTER CITY
Brisbane Road
1 - 2 (Garcia)
31 August 1999
Bywater
Purches
Angus
Etherington
Iriekpen
Carrick
Bullard (Taylor)
Cole
Kitson
Garcia
Omoyinmi
The Hammers crashed to defeat in their first home Reserve League match of the season at Brisbane Road. Despite creating several good scoring chances in the first-half, the Hammers found themselves two down within the first 12 minutes — and both came from set-pieces.
After the break it was all West Ham and Paul Kitson, Joe Cole, Manny Omoyinmi and Michael Carrick all went close before Richard Garcia reduced the arrears in the 65th minute when he rounded the goalkeeper to slot into an empty net.
ARSENAL
Highbury
0 - 4
7 September 1999
McMahon B.
Purches
Angus
Forbes
Margas
Etherington
Bullard
Ferrante
Abou
Holligan (Brayley)
Garcia
Javier Margas, making his first appearance in a Hammers' shirt since last December, could do little to prevent a strong Gunners' side containing Marc Overmars and Christopher Wreh, overwhelming a young Hammers' team with four first-half goals in this FA Premier Reserve League game at Highbury.
The only other Hammer with first-team experience in the side was Samassi Abou and we feared another onslaught after the break. But fortunately the Gunners eased off and there was no further score.
WIMBLEDON
Borough Sports Ground, Sutton United FC
1 - 0 (Garcia)
22 September 1999
Bywater
Clark
Omonua
Angus
Coyne
Ruddock
Newton
Ferrante
Garcia (Purches)
Carrick
Uddin
Richard Garcia scored a great goal two minutes before the break to earn the Hammers their first FA Premier Reserves League win of the season against the Dons at Sutton United's Borough Sports Ground.
The young Aussie delivered the match-winning strike when he cut in from the right and bent a left-footed shot around the goalkeeper from outside the box.
On a heavy pitch, the Hammers played the better football and might have increased their lead in the second-half with Adam Newton and Garcia going close again.
Neil Ruddock completed his first full game of the season having been out of action with a hamstring injury.
SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
2 - 0 (Abou, Kitson)
27 September 1999
Forrest
Charles G.
Forbes
Coyne
Ruddock
Omonua
Garcia
Ferrante
Carrick
Kitson
Abou
Paul Kitson scored one and made one at the Dell. On the hour, the Hammers' striker ended a fine move which started with Neil Ruddock sending a gem of a pass down the left to Richard Garcia who crossed perfectly for Kitson to head home.
A quarter of an hour later, Kitson spun a clever ball behind the Saints' defence for Samassi Abou, back from a trial at Hibernian, to run on to and score.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Brisbane Road
0 - 1
5 October 1999
McMahon B.
Purches
Taylor (Brayley)
Forbes
Coyne
Angus
Briggs (Byrne)
Ferrante
Garcia (Purches)
Etherington
Defoe (Clark)
Despite having most of the game at Brisbane Rood, the Reserves were finally beaten by Palace's only real shot on target. Chris Coyne had two great chances to put the Hammers on level terms, but shot wide on both occasions.
Palace hit the match-winner 10 minutes into the second-half when one of their forwards unleashed a great shot from just outside the box.
Jermaine Defoe showed some nice touches before being replaced by Steven Clark 10 minutes from the end and Shaun Byrne, a 60th minute substitute for Ryan Briggs, looked class. "A draw would have been a fairer result," said coach Glenn Roeder.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Clarence Park, St Albans
0 - 2
12 October 1999
McMahon B.
Charles G.
Byrne
Forbes
Coyne
Margas
Etherington
Newton (Bullard)
McCann (Ferrante)
Riza
Garcia (Brayley)
Grant McCann, back from a loan spell with Ray Stewart's Livingstone, came close to equalising for the Hammers' Reserves against Tottenham at Clarence Park, home of St. Albans City.
With Spurs a goal up from Mark Gower's 30th minute volley, the Northern Ireland youth international crashed a 25 yard free-kick against the crossbar.
But that near miss proved costly as Ramon Vega powered home a header from a corner on 70 minutes to seal the win for Tottenham,
The Hammers enjoyed a great deal of possession and trialislt Omar Rizzo, a 19-year-old striker from Arsenal, looked sharp up front, but we could not make the breakthrough.
Adam Newton was denied the chance of a possible strike when he was brought down when one-to-one with the Spurs' goalkeeper only for the offender to be shown the yellow card when a red would have been appropriate.
CHELSEA
Brisbane Road
3 - 2 (Angus, Garcia, Riza)
26 October 1999
Bywater
Newton
Purches
Ferrante
Coyne (Uddin)
Angus
Garcia
Carrick
Riza
McCann
Holligan (Defoe)
Hammer' fans not able to get along to Brisbane Road for the recent FA Premier Reserve South League match against Chelsea missed a real treat. Said coach Glenn Roeder, in charge of the team for the night: "What a great game. It had everything. Excitement, end-to-end action, good, competitive football played by both sides and five goals."
Richard Garcia put the Hammers ahead in the eighth minute following a fine move down the centre. I He almost scored a second I from a free-kick after a foul on Gavin Holligan but Chelsea 'keeper Rhys Evans pulled off a great save.
Chelsea I equalised just before the break when a misunderstanding between Stevland Angus and Stephen Bywater allowed Mark Nicholls to run through and slip the ball into the net.
Seven minutes into the second-half, Omar Rizer, on trial from Arsenal, beat Chelsea's offside trap and flicked the ball over the advancing Evans. Both sides missed several good scoring chances before Mikael Forssell equalised for Chelsea on 62 minutes. Three minutes later Hammers scored the winner when Michael Ferrante floated over a free-kick following a foul on Holligan and an unmarked Angus made up for his earlier mistake and powered home a header on the far post.
A few minutes later, Ferrante fired another free-kick inches over the bar from 30 yards. The action went on, and only a great save by Bywater from a Chelsea free-kick prevented their equaliser.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Brisbane Road
1 - 2 (Ferrante)
9 November 1999
Richards
Charles G.
Taylor (Ferrante)
Purches
Uddin
Minto
Bullard (Clark)
Carrick
Riza
Holligan
McCann (Garcia)
A strong Hammers' side, which included Gary Charles and Scoff Minto both back offer injury, Failed to rake advantage of early chances and suffered the consequences in this FA Premier Reserve League South fixture at Brisbane Road.
After just five minutes Jimmy Bullard put Omer Riza clean through, but Charlton 'keeper Sasa Ilic tipped his shot over the bar. Ten minutes later, the Australian turned another Riza effort around a post.
Chorlton's former England winger John Salalco created a couple of scoring chances for the visitors before a great cross from Jimmy Bullard on 33 minutes was headed just over by Grant McCann.
Despite Hammers' pressure if was Charlton who took the lead on 43 minutes when Charlie MacDonald ran through the Hammers' defence to slot the ball past Lee Richards.
Just after the break, McCann thundered a 25 yard free-kick inches over the bar. The Charlton side went further ahead on 69 minutes when a long-range effort by Steve Burke gave Richards no chance.
The Hammers' 'keeper then made a great save at the feet of Mark McCammon to prevent Charlton adding a third and got injured in the process.
Substitute Michael Ferrante put Hammers back in the game on 80 minutes when his shot from outside the box deceived Ilic and crept into the net.
With Stephen Purches having an outstanding game, Hammers pushed forward in search of an equaliser and almost succeeded when a Fine shot by Riza two minutes from the end cannoned back off the crossbar with Ilic well beaten.
COVENTRY CITY
Brisbane Road
1 - 2 (Kitson)
24 November 1999
Richards
Charles G.
Minto
Purches (McCann)
Henriksson
Margas (Forbes)
Enqvist
Moncur
Abou (Bullard)
Kitson
Omoyinmi
A strong Hammers' side, containing two Swedish trialists Richard Henriksson and Bjorn Enqvist, failed to beat a hard-working Coventry City team which included our former defender David Burrows. Henriksson, a 17-year-old central defender, played well at the back alongside Javier Margas, while midfielder Enqvist tried hard to break down a solid Sky Blues' defence.
Coventry took the lead on 15 minutes after a defensive error, but Paul Kitson equalised 10 minutes before half-time, tapping in after a fine move down the right. Another mistake at the back allowed Coventry to regain the lead midway through the second-half. Minutes from the end Kitson almost equalised with a fierce left-foot volley but Sky Blues' 'keeper Morten Hyldgaard pulled off a great save.
ARSENAL
Brisbane Road
1 - 3 (Iriekpen)
7 December 1999
Richards
Purches
Byrne
Forbes
Coyne
Iriekpen
Etherington
McCann
Defoe
Omoyinmi
Garcia
Izzy Iriekpen scored Hammers only goal in a disappointing display against the Gunners at Brisbane Road. The England youth international found the net on 30 minutes but could do little to stop Arsenal scoring three.
In a young Hammers team 16-year-old Jemaine Defoe played the full 90 minutes, while Arsenal fielded their own controversial signing Jemaine Pennant, bought From Notts County amid allegations of poaching.
Supporters hoped for a better display from the Hammers in the second-half, but unfortunately we just didn't compete.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
1 - 3 (Riza)
6 January 2000
Bywater
Charles G.
Purches
Angus
Etherington
Byrne (Ferrante)
Stimac (Forbes)
Newton
Abou
Riza
McCann
A spirited Hammers second-half revival was not enough to salvage a point at Upton Park after Spurs had taken a three goal interval lead. Against a very strong Tottenham side which included Darren Anderton, Steffen Freund, Romon Vega and Willem Korsten, a young West Ham team sryggled to hold thevisiots. After only 33 seconds play, Korsten forced an excellent save out of Stephen Bywater but the Hammers 18-year-old 'keep could do nothing two minutes later as Anderton crossed from the byline for Paul McVeigh to volley home.
On 15 minutes Adam Newton handled to concede a penalty which Anderton converted and with 11 minutes of the first-half to play, McVeigh scored his second, again set up by Anderton. A fighting second-half display by the Hammers led to Omer Riza chipping over Espen Baardsen on 72 mintes. Then Michael Ferrante and Samassi Abou wasted good scoring chances as West Ham slumped to defeat. Igor Stimac played for the first 26 minutes but was substituted after collecting his fifth booking of the season.
LEICESTER CITY
Walkers Stadium
1 - 1 (Bullard)
10 January 2000
Richards
Newton
Purches
Angus
Etherington
Forbes
Bullard
Ferrante
Abou (Britton)
Garcia
McCann
Jimmy Bullard's 65th minute equaliser earned the Hammers a well-deserved point in this FA Premier Reserve League fixture. With their only shot of the game Foxes led on the hour, but Bullard levelled five minutes later with a fine shof from the edge of fhe box.
CHELSEA
Stamford Bridge
1 - 2 (Etherington)
24 January 2000
Bywater
Charles G.
Purches
Forbes
Coyne
Omonua (Ferrante)
Bullard
Etherington
Riza
Carrick
McCann (Brayley)
Two down at half-time, the Hammers fought back and Craig Etherington scored on 63 minutes to narrow the deficit. Despite several chances, the Hammers failed to grab a deserved equaliser.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Welling United
2 - 2 (Carrick, Holligan)
2 February 2000
Bywater
Charles G.
Newton
Forbes
Etherington
Iriekpen (Uddin)
Ferrante
Moncur
Kitson (Holligan)
Carrick
Riza (Defoe)
John Moncur and Paul Kitson had mixed fortunes in their first game back after injury. Moncs, out since November with a pelvic injury, lasted the whole match but Kits, who has been troubled with a back problem for the past two months, came off at half-time.
Charlton went ahead just before the break when a shot which stemmed from a corner deflected in off Craig Etherington.
But Gavin Holligan, substituting for Kitson, levelled two minutes after the restart when he fired in the rebound after the Charlton goalkeeper had parried Moncur's thunderous 25 yard-shot.
The Hammers went further head on 67 minutes with Michael Carrick finishing off a great move, but Charlton scored an equaliser with a header from a free-kick 18 minutes from time.
WATFORD
Brisbane Road
4 - 1 (Keller 2, Kitson, [og])
15 February 2000
Bywater
Purches
Angus
Coyne
Pearce S.
Keller (Newton)
Ferrante (Briggs)
Carrick
Etherington
Kitson
Abou
Marc Keller was the star of this FA Premier Reserve League win at the Matchroom Stadium with two great goals. But the best news for the Hammers was the return of broken leg victim Stuart Pearce who played the whole game with no adverse reaction.
West Ham took the lead after six minutes when Somassi Abou bockheeled the ball for Paul Kitson to score. Keller increased the lead with his first goal — a fine left-foot strike from the edge of the box.
Watford added to their own problems when Des Little scored an own-goal before Keller put the Hammers four up with his second goal — a 30-yarder into the top corner of the net.
After the break, the Hammers created more chances but failed to take them. The only goal of the half was a Watford consolation, which came after a deflection let them in.
COVENTRY CITY
Highfield Road
1 - 2 (Bullard)
7 March 2000
Feuer
Newton
Angus
Forbes
Coyne
Ruddock
Bullard
Etherington
Riza
Ferrante (Briggs)
Britton (Garcia)
Jimmy Bullard scored the Hammers consolation goal as the Reserves lost at Highfield Road in this FA Premier Reserve League South fixture.
Bullard's rebound from Omer Riza's shot gave West Ham the lead on 30 minutes but a very dubious decision to allow play-on when Ysrael Zuniga was clearly offside, allowed the Peruvian to equalise for the Sky Blues a minute before half-time. Then, with just five minutes of the game remaining, Zuniga went through the middle and rounded Ian Feuer to put Coventry ahead. Late substitute Ryan Briggs had a great chance to equalise for the Hammers a minute before the end but his shot from Riza's pass flew straight into the hands of the Coventry goalkeeper.
CRYSTAL PALACE
National Sports Centre
1 - 0 (Kitson)
15 March 2000
Ilic
Newton
Angus
Etherington
Coyne
Margas
Bullard (Defoe)
Garcia (Britton)
Kitson
Riza (Ferrante)
Keller
Paul Kitson scored the match-winner for the Hammers in this FA Premier Reserves League game at the National Sports Centre. It came in the 70th minute after Marc Keller had made progress down the left and his cross was headed home by Kitson.
Although Palace provided tough opposition, West Ham always looked the likely winners. They came very close to going in 1 -0 up at the break, but Keller's well struck free-kick bounced back off the crossbar with the Palace 'keeper beaten.
WIMBLEDON
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Defoe 2, Cole)
21 March 2000
Feuer
Newton
Purches
Angus
Ruddock
Bullard (McCann)
Etherington (Garcia)
Ferrante (Britton)
Keller
Defoe
Cole
The Hammers fought back from going one behind to defeat Wimbledon in this FA Premier Reserve League South game at Upton Park.
Trailing 1 -0 at half-time, West Ham hit bock when Joe Cole scored a brilliant individual effort on the hour.
Ten minutes later, Stephen Purches made a terrific run from deep only to be tripped in the Dons' penalty-area and Jermaine Defoe scored from the spot to put me Hammers ahead. Defoe then secured the three points on 75 minutes ending a great move which had Purches crossing to the far post and Richard Garcia heading down for the young striker to crash home a spectacular goal.
SOUTHAMPTON
Brisbane Road
0 - 3
29 March 2000
Bywater
Charles G.
Forbes
Purches (Sjolund)
Angus
Potts
Keller
McCann
Riza (Garcia)
Defoe
Bullard (Newton)
A young West Ham United side were unable to contain a vastly more experienced Southampton in this FA Premier Reserve South fixture at Brisbane Road. Saints included the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Stuart Ripley, Claus Lundekvan, Francis Benali and James Beattie in their team and powered their way to a 3-0 lead by half-time. One of those goals was unfortunately put in the net by Hammers defender, Terrell Forbes. The closest West Ham came to scoring was when an early shot from Marc Keller rattled the crossbar.
The Hammers showed more fighting spirit In the second-half and although creating very few scoring chances themselves, prevented Saints from adding to their score.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
1 - 3 (Bullard)
11 April 2000
Bywater
Clark
Williams (Defoe)
Forbes
Angus
Taylor
Bullard
Carrick
Riza
McCann (Briggs)
Omoyinmi
A very strong Nottingham Forest side, containing the experienced Mark Crossley in goal, striker Dougie Freeman and Nigel Quashie, cruised to a 3-0 half-time lead.
Hammers new signing from Walton & Hersham, Tommy Williams had a reasonable debut at left wing-back. It was evident that he lacked match fitness and was substituted in the 62nd minute by Jermaine Defoe.
The Hammers were much improved in the second-half and defended well.
Jimmy Bullard pulled one back for the Hammers in the 65th minute with a great shot from just inside the box. This was Jimmy's third goal for the reserves and all have been scored in the Midlands — the other two against Coventry and Leicester.
Not many chances were created by either side after that, although when he was tested Stephen Bywater pulled off a couple of fine saves to keep the score-line respectable.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Omoyinmi, Riza)
4 May 2000
Richards
Clark
Williams
Ferrante
Forbes
Taylor
Bullard
McCann
Defoe
Riza
Omoyinmi
The Hammers gained revenge for the 3-1 defeat at Forest in their previous FA Premier Reserve South fixture with this 2-0 victory at Upton Park.
After a sparkling first-half, the Hammers deservedly led 2-0 at the break. Omer Riza scored the first on 18 minutes when lively Jimmy Bullard sent a good ball over the Forest defence for the former Arsenal starlet to run in and fire home from the edge of the penalty-area. Three minutes before half-time, Manny Omoyinmi beat Forest's Keith Roy on the left, raced into the box and shot past 'keeper Stephen Collis into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Forest came back strongly just after the break and were awarded a dubious penalty when Steven Clark was judged to have handled the ball in the box by referee J. Singh. But Hammers young goalkeeper Lee Richards, injured just a few minutes before, made a great save.
The Hammers should have increased their lead 10 minutes from the end when a Jimmy Bullard pass found Jermaine Defoe whose fierce drive was saved on the line by Forest 'keeper Collis.
WATFORD
Vicarage Road
0 - 2
8 May 2000
Richards
Newton
Williams
Etherington (Briggs)
Omonua
Angus
Bullard (Clark)
McCann
Alexander
Riza
Omoyinmi
After a disappointing first half performance West Ham improved after the interval but couldn't get back goal that would have dragged them back into the match.
Watford started brightly and took the lead in the fourth minute, a tricky run by Johan Gudmundsson was halted but the ball broke loose to Charlie Miller who fired home via the inside of a post from about 12 yards. Lee Richards then had to dive to hold onto a Lee Johnson long range effort at the second attempt but he could do nothing on 17 minutes when Watford went two up, a good move with Steve Brooker playing Charlie Miller in again and he slipped it past Richards. West Ham hit back and a Manny Omoyinmi cross was headed down by Gary Alexander but Craig Etherington shot wide from a good position, Alexander then had a shot half saved by keeper Herwig Walker but the ball was scrambled away into safety. Clint Easton then had a chance for Watford but shot over from a good position but half time came with no further addition to the score.
Early in the second half Watford had a great chance to increase their lead, a ball broke in the box to Miller but his effort was blocked a point blank range by Lee Richards. West Ham then had a good little spell, a determined run by Omer Riza ended with a shot held comfortably by the keeper, then another run by Riza ended with a shot at the keeper who then held a Grant McCann long range effort.
At the other end some good work by Charlie Miller ended with a near post cross with Tommy Williams managed to clear out for a corner and then when Brooker played Miller in it took a last ditch tackle by Williams to save the day. Riza then had West Ham's best chance but he headed over from a Tommy Williams cross, keeper Herwig Walker then made a sprawling save to turn away a right foot shot by Grant McCann.
Easton then curled away a right foot shot wide for Watford but Riza nearly had the last word when another run ended with a right foot shot saved by the diving keeper. West Ham probably deserved something out of the game for their second half showing but paid the price for a sloppy start.
DERBY COUNTY
Upton Park
0 - 5
11 May 2000
McMahon B.
Newton
Williams
Etherington
Forbes
Angus (Uddin)
Bullard (Garcia)
McCann
Alexander
Riza
Omoyinmi
West Ham's last reserve game of the season was against a Derby side needing a win to take the title and disappointingly the Hammers made it all too easy for them. Derby took the lead on five minutes, West Ham's defence was split by a through ball and a Billy McMahon came out Malcolm Christie squared the ball for Dean Burton to side-foot into an empty net.
On ten minutes Derby went two up, Dean Burton out jumped Billy McMahon in a contest for a high bouncing ball in the area and as the ball ran loose he reacted quickest to slide it into the net
Adam Murray hit a cross shot wide for Derby before West Ham's first effort saw keeper Andy Oakes make a comfortable save from an Omer Riza header after a Gary Alexander flick on. Dean Burton then flashed a header across goal before on 26 minutes Derby got their third goal, Malcolm Christie went past two men in a run down the right and his low cross into the area was turned in by Adam Murray. Dean Burton then chipped just over for the Rams before the Hammers had a couple of efforts, first Oakes did well to block a Manny Omoyinmi cross after he had made a good run along the bye line then Oakes acrobatically turned over a shot from the same player.
The second half consisted mainly of half chances and bookings as the game became even more niggly and not helped by a referee who inspired little confidence. On 52 minutes Derby went four up, Malcolm Christie went down in the box following a challenge from Anwar U'ddin and the referee awarded a penalty, Dean Burton duly converted the spot kick and duly completed his hat trick. There then followed a series of bookings before on 65 minutes Derby got their fifth goal, Lars Bohimen floated a free kick into the box and an unmarked Steve Elliot headed home. With the referee so fond of flashing his yellow card it was almost inevitable that someone would commit a second offence and receive their marching orders and on 74 minutes Grant McCann became that player. Derby who had brought a coach-load of fans with them celebrated winning the title whilst West Ham can only look back on a season where all too often they have lacked dynamism and looked in need of motivation.
