FA Cup
West Ham United 3-0 Barnsley 

Saturday, 3rd January 2009
by Gordon Thrower

I’d call this a bit of a shock myself – West Ham beat lower league opposition in Cup-tie. Ok it’s not quite up there with Hereford beating the Geordies in that mach in the 1970’s where they keep resurrecting the clip of Ronnie Radford’s goal that irritates my Geordie mates so much. However, given our propensity for taking a double barrelled shotgun and aiming it in the general direction of the toes whenever we come up against a side from the Championship or below I’m sure we can be forgiven for heaving a nice sigh of relief at having negotiated the third round this season.



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Player Ratings

Robert Green
Dealt with what Barnsley had to provide fairly comfortably. Distribution wasn?EUR(TM)t quite right once or twice and he probably owes Faubert a pint over the latter?EUR(TM)s caution.


Julien Faubert
Not really given much to do down his wing defensively speaking. However his passing and crossing going forward still leave a lot to be desired.


Herita Ilunga
Another good run-out for the chap from the Congo. Nice to see him on the score-sheet having threatened a few times this season.


James Collins
Solid ?EUR" though it has to be said that his pairing with Tomkins didn?EUR(TM)t quite look like a partnership in the same way as his pairing with Upson does.


James Tomkins
A good run out for the youngster though the communication with his senior partner at the back sometimes seemed lacking.


Hayden Mullins



Mark Noble
A busy afternoon. Scored one, made one and was at the heart of things in the centre.


Jack Collison
Continues to mature ?EUR" better finishing might have seen him add to the tally as well.


Luis Boa Morte
Not a great game but not nearly as bad as some were prepared to make out. Battled gamely without ever quite seeming to be in control.


Carlton Cole
Caused constant awkwardness to the Barnsley defence and the glancing header was well taken for the goal.


Craig Bellamy
His pace was a threat throughout though final balls played both to and by him were often tantalisingly a few feet off target.



Substitutes

Matthew Etherington
(replaced) Brought some width to the match and played a part in the best of the three goals.


Kieron Dyer
(replaced) Good to see him back even if he did appear to be limping a bit at the end of his 20 minutes or so. Nearly scored too.


Diego Tristan
(replaced) Failed to influence matters much in the few moments he was on.


Jan Lastuvka
Did not play.


Jonathan Spector
Did not play.


Lee Bowyer
Did not play.


David Di Michele
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, James Collins, James Tomkins, Hayden Mullins, Mark Noble, Jack Collison, Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole, Craig Bellamy.

Goals: Herita Ilunga 10 Mark Noble 39 Carlton Cole 68              .

Booked: Julien Faubert 41 Hayden Mullins 44        .

Sent off: None.

Barnsley: Muller, Hassell, Foster, Guedes, Van Homoet, Campbell-Ryce, Colace, Leon, El Haimour, Odejayi, Rigters.

Subs not used: Muller, Hassell, Foster, Guedes, Van Homoet, Campbell-Ryce, Colace, Leon, El Haimour, Odejayi, Rigters.

Goals: .

Booked: Odejayi, El Haimour, Colace.

Sent off: None.

Referee: Michael Jones.

Attendance: 28,869.

Man of the Match: Carlton Cole.