Thursday, October 27, 2005

 

Irons Out

Bolton have inflicted their second victory of the season over West Ham overnight in the Carling Cup thanks to a second-half strike from Jared Borgetti.

Fresh from signing a new five-year contract, Irons manager Alan Pardew did not play the full strength side that was hinted at before the match. Recent signing Clive Clarke made his debut at left-back, while Konchesky was moved into midfield. Collins, Ward, Dailly, and Bellion also started the match at the expense of Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Reo-Coker and Benayoun. Hislop, Repka, Mullins, Sheringham and Harewood rounded out the starting eleven, while Bywater, Williams, Newton, Fletcher, and Aliadiere made the bench. Bolton fielded a similarly weakened side.

West Ham dominated the early exchanges, with the lively Bellion shooting just over the bar. Soon afterwards Sheringham saw his shot deflected over, and Bellion had two more shots, both of them saved by the Bolton keeper Ian Walker. Konchesky later shot wide after his free-kick rebounded back to him, and then managed to put the ball in the net from a Bellion pass but was flagged offside.

Bolton had to be on their toes when Mullins set up Sheringham inside their box, but the Wanderers managed to clear the danger.

The first real scare for West Ham came as the clock ticked down in the first half when Ricardo Gardner was allowed time and space, but he dallied over the ball and West Ham cleared. Harewood had a shot blocked by the Bolton defence, and then Collins headed wide just before half time.

Early in the second half Hislop was called into action, saving a powerful shot from Fadiga, but a minute later the ball was in the net after Borgetti headed home a perfect Fadiga cross.

West Ham pressured Bolton and saw Konchesky's free-kick well tipped over by Walker, but also saw Kevin Nolan head over the bar and substitute Pedersen shoot off-target.

Substitute Aliadiere had a shot saved by Walker, and then Gardner shot wide when one-on-one with Hislop. Borgetti nearly got his second but contrived to shoot wide from close range. West Ham, despite having twice as many shots on target as Bolton, could not put the ball in the net and Bolton held on for the win.

West Ham will be disappointed to have lost a game, but will be consoled that they can now concentrate more on survival in the Premiership.




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