West Ham gain their revenge on Reading

The significance of September the first, in football terms, is not lost on me. The last time I watched a match on this day, England pasted Germany 5-1 in Munich six years ago. Reading’s meeting with West Ham United at the Madejski Stadium last season also produced six goals. With revenge and indeed a point of pride to battle for, West Ham United would prove to be very difficult opponents.

With talk of the east London club being interested in Reading’s England left back Nicky Shorey, perhaps, a little bit of an edge would be added to the atmosphere of the game. One thing though is for sure; West Ham would have no desire to be punished so comprehensively as they were last season. And that wily fox Steve Coppell would be well aware of that fact.

Both Reading and West Ham United have suffered injury problems in recent weeks. Thankfully one familiar face would be returning to the Madejski Stadium, BTB’s very own Paul Allen. Ever the professional, the effervescent man on the mike missed the first two matches of the season due to holiday commitments. West Ham’s visit would prove to be Paul’s big return to the Premier League arena.

With a bowling green like pitch and not a rain cloud in sight, the conditions that greeted the Prodigal Voice, seemed prodigiously more favourable than Reading’s previous two rain soaked games against Chelsea and Everton. However, Paul Allen’s favourable return to the Madejski Stadium lasted just six minutes. Craig Bellamy, a summer signing for West Ham from Liverpool, burst through the Reading defence to shoot low and hard past Marcus Hahnemann to put West Ham in front. West Ham’s slick on the break football caused Reading real difficulties early on, but Reading were not completely overawed as the first half wore on. James Harper’s low shot only just evaded Robert Green in the West Ham goal, but also evaded the right hand post. Reading’s best other effort came two minutes from the end when Stephen Hunt crashed a shot against the angle of the cross bar and left hand post.

Reading would need to have a productive half time in order to salvage the match in the second half. Elsewhere, ‘The Voice’ managed to point the way by presiding over a half time winner on ‘Play your shirts right’. Mr Woo, the ball-playing maestro also showed his genial talents on the Madejski Stadium pitch. However, it was Steve Coppell who would need to be the most inspirational if Reading were to pull the game out of the fire after half time.

Sadly, it didn’t happen. Shortly after half time West Ham grabbed a second goal following a neat run from Matthew Etherington. Etherington, whose involvement in the game was at times minimal, took his opportunity well. Running through the Reading defence, the pace of Etherington proved too much for Reading. Etherington could have added a further goal in the 68th minute, but Marcus Hahnemann saved well at the West Ham winger’s feet. West Ham though looked as though they were coasting to a victory, with Reading creating little despite the efforts of Stephen Hunt and Nicky Shorey.

Reading’s most concrete chance came in the 76th minute, when, Robert Green upended Dave Kitson in the penalty box. Kevin Doyle stepped up to take the kick, but Green proved his equal by saving it. West Ham knew it was their day and knew also that revenge was very much on the cards. Matthew Etherington sealed the victory with a carbon copy of his previous goal; a strong run that beat the Reading defence with pace and power.

Reading’s second 3-0 defeat of the week may well ring alarm bells, but it is worth noting that the two 3-0 defeats have been against teams who have had a point to prove, not just against Reading, but in general. Bolton Wanderers were being chastised in the press prior to their win over Reading last week and like West Ham, Reading did the ‘double’ over Bolton Wanderers last season. As for West Ham, well what more motivation did they need than the still open wound of a New Year’s Day 6-0 mauling? Reading will bounce back. Like Bolton and West Ham before them, Reading now has a point to prove to the doubters.

By Stuart Croucher