Nationwide Division One
West Ham United 4 Wigan Athletic 0

Saturday, 29th November 2003
by James Dawson

Four goals to nothing against one of the better sides in the division, to someone who didn’t go to the game that would look good wouldn’t it?

The truth of the matter is that West Ham could have doubled the score line to make Pardew?EUR(TM)s first win more memorable. West Ham started from the Centenary end which could explain our stroke of luck today and fans hardly had time to settle in their seats before they were cheering. Kevin Horlock grabbed his first goal for the club after just 4 minutes but Hammers fans were not getting too excited as they remember going one-nil up early before against WBA and they didn?EUR(TM)t go home happy.

West Ham looked to be on top and were playing good football up and down the wing with Repka showing impressive form and linking up well with new boy Marlon Harewood. Soon after Repka had a set two with Wigan manager Paul Jewell after Jewell let the ball run past him rather than giving it to Repka. Seconds after a disgraceful challenge, much like the one Defoe got sent off for against W.B.A, was committed against Repka which the referee responded to with just a yellow card. This shows the inconsistency of referees in the game of football.

The ball was spread wide to an impressive Harewood who had space to run, he cut inside run to the by-line and struck the ball across the face of goal which was turned in by Wigan defender Jason Jarrett which was all credit to an excellent run by Harewood.

Tempers were running high in the Wigan camp and Wigan?EUR(TM)s Matt Jackson let fly with yet another disgusting tackle from a Wigan player and this time he deservedly saw red.

West Ham went in at half time with heads held high with a two-goal advantage and one player advantage.

Hutchison came out in place for Connolly and West Ham were looking to capitalise on their one-man advantage. They were looking to create more chances in contrast to the first half which did not have a lot of goal mouth action.

Minutes after the second half began Repka?EUR(TM)s little friend Lee McCulloch stupidly fouled Repka again and got himself sent off much to the delight of the West Ham faithful and Tomas of course.

West Ham were ready to run riot and punish Wigan for their lack of discipline. Hutchison come close with a low, powerful volley which crashed into the side netting. Shortly after Wigan legs were flying everywhere and lucky for Harewood, one of Wigan?EUR(TM)s defenders lunged at him bringing him down in the box. Harewood took the penalty he had earned and slotted it to the left of the despairing ?EUR~keeper and opened his account for West Ham. The goal had been coming all day for Harewood who worked tiresomely.

Tomas Repka was bought off by Pardew and was greeted by a standing ovation. Repka cheekily shook the referees hand, clapped the fans and then threw his shirt into the crowd as he headed down the tunnel, a good days winding up.

You would think that West Ham would of capitalised on their two man advantage over Wigan, but the free flowing play soon turned into sloppiness and West Ham could not even complete a pass from 10 yards away from each other. We were starting to embarrass ourselves and instead of grabbing another we were playing the ball to Wigan players and looked overall rubbish. Michael Carrick, who has failed to impress me all season failed to show any commitment or will power to the club and was not chasing down the ball or even putting himself in challenges.

With acres of space before him, Harewood again was on the run and a delicious finish made it four to the Hammers but this fourth goal was maybe not deserved.

More sloppy play and they almost let Wigan grab a consolation goal with former Hammer Bullard striking wide.

Final whistle was blown and although cheers could be heard, most fans were probably disappointed like me that we did not increase our overall goal difference today.

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Player Ratings

David James
Did not have to make one save all game.


Tomas Repka
Played excellent and looks more confident in the right back position. Also he did well to keep his cool.


Wayne Quinn
Made a couple of dodgy decision but wasn't bad overall.


Christian Dailly
Once again was iffy at the back making several mistakes.


Ian Pearce
Won everything in the air, commanded the box and read the game superbly well.


Michael Carrick
Once again, did nothing.


Hayden Mullins
Played well and put some good challenges in. Played several balls that led to goalscoring opportunities.


Brian Deane
Worked well with Harewood up front and proved to be a good combination.


Kevin Horlock
Scored one, almost scored a second and played okay.


Marlon Harewood
Worked very hard and grabbed two goals and made the second one.


David Connolly
Think he may of had a slight injury but battled nevertheless.



Substitutes

Don Hutchison
(Replaced Connolly, 45) Had one shot and that is all he did. Could not pass and made a mockery of our midfield which admittedly isn't hard to do.


Anton Ferdinand
(Replaced Repka, 56) Had nothing to do.


Richard Garcia
(Replaced Horlock, 72) Was again poor and did not try to get involved.


Stephen Bywater
Did not play.


Robbie Stockdale
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: David James, Tomas Repka, Wayne Quinn, Christian Dailly, Ian Pearce, Michael Carrick, Hayden Mullins, Brian Deane, Kevin Horlock, Marlon Harewood, David Connolly.

Goals: Kevin Horlock 4 Jason Jarrett (og) 18 Marlon Harewood 55 Marlon Harewood 75            .

Booked: Tomas Repka 40          .

Sent off: None.

Wigan Athletic: Filan, Jackson, Breckin, Liddell, Ellington, McCulloch, Horsfield, Jarrett, Eaden, Bullard, Baines.

Subs not used: Walsh, Teale.

Goals: .

Booked: McCulloch, Filan.

Sent off: None.

Referee: F.Stretton.

Attendance: 34,375.

Man of the Match: Ian Pearce.