Nationwide Division One
Preston North End 1 West Ham United 2

Saturday, 9th August 2003
by Gordon Thrower

This was just one of those perfect weekends. Great weather, a good result and a couple of fantastic evenings in splendid company.



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Player Ratings

David James
One shocking kick and went walkabout on one occasion in the second half. However looked very good on crosses.


Anton Ferdinand
Lost his man for the goal but gained confidence and came in with one superb tackle in the first half.


Rufus Brevett
His usual reliable self. Not at all distracted by three lookalikes in the crowd. Harshly booked.


Christian Dailly
For the most part looked ok once he and Repka had sorted themselves out.


Tomas Repka
The usual potential penalty drama took the gloss off the fact that for long spells he looked qute comfortable at this level.


Don Hutchison
Had an ok first half but lost the ball too easily in the second for my liking.


Richard Garcia
Had a poor match and failed to make much of an impression.


Robert Lee
Always seemed to have time on the ball although his horrible mistake could have cost us points at the end.


Matthew Etherington
A useful debut. Had a hand in both goals and showed a willingness to take on players.


Jermain Defoe
Whatever the rights and wrongs of his over-eager transfer request, Jemain showed that if he stays he'll terrify defences in this division.


Neil Mellor
Controversially picked ahead of David Connolly he worked quite hard without much going right for him. Showed enough to suggest that a few training sessions might result in a useful partnership with Defoe.



Substitutes

Youssef Sofiane
The second time I have seen this youngster and the second time I have been impressed. Time for him to have a place in the starting line-up methinks.


David Connolly
Angry ant made an immediate impact with his fine goal. Always full of running and harshly booked for his goal celebrations. An interesting selection problem for the manager looms.


Stephen Bywater
Did not play


Shaun Byrne
Did not play


David Noble
Did not play



Match Facts

West Ham United: David James, Anton Ferdinand, Rufus Brevett, Christian Dailly, Tomas Repka, Don Hutchison, Richard Garcia, Robert Lee, Matthew Etherington, Jermain Defoe, Neil Mellor.

Goals: Jermain Defoe 6 David Connolly 69                .

Booked: Connolly 70 Ferdinand 72 Brevett 89      .

Sent off: None.

Preston North End: Gould, Alexander, Jackson, Lucketti, Edwards, Healy, Etuhu (Skora), O'Neil, Lewis, Cresswell, Fuller..

Subs not used: Lucas, Abbott, Keane, Lynch..

Goals: Lewis 2.

Booked: .

Sent off: None.

Referee: Paul Danson.

Attendance: 18,246.

Man of the Match: Jermain Defoe.