HAMMERS have gone out of the Carling Cup, losing 1-0 to Jared
Borgetti's second-half goal against Bolton Wanderers at the
Reebok Stadium.
West Ham United were never out of this Third Round clash though and
should have gone in leading at the break such was their dominance
in the first-half.
Unfortunately, Bolton's experience told after the interval and
Borgetti popped up with a 63rd minute header to end West Ham's
interest in the Carling Cup for another season.
Alan Pardew named a strong side, with five players retaining their
places from the 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough.
James Collins and Elliott Ward came into the centre of defence in
place of Anton Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon, but both Tomas Repka
and Paul Konchesky started, the latter shaking off a knock from
Sunday's win over Middlesbrough to play in an unfamiliar left
sided midfield role.
Hayden Mullins partnered captain Christian Dailly in midfield, with
David Bellion making his first start for the Hammers on the right
of midfield and Clive Clarke made his first outing in the claret
and blue at left back.
Up front Teddy Sheringham was recalled in place of Bobby Zamora and
played alongside Marlon Harewood.
On the bench, Jeremie Aliadiere was fit enough to be named after
overcoming a groin problem.
With six changes a piece the two sides took time to settle into
their rhythm. Hammers first effort came from Bellion with
eight minutes gone, a well struck shot from West Ham's player
of the first-half but no trouble for Ian Walker as it fizzed over
the crossbar.
Bellion's next effort did test the former England international
though, an inswinging shot which the goalkeeper took well down low.
Hammers were making most of the running and on 22 minutes
Konchesky's low drive from a short corner routine very nearly
embarrased Walker, the keeper gathering the ball at the second
attempt with Sheringham in close attendance.
Shaka Hislop was more troubled by the bounce of the Reebok Stadium
pitch than any attacking threat from the home side, Stelios'
looping header testing the Hammers goalkeeper's footwork after
skidding nastily off the turf.
Bellion was everywhere for West Ham, but goalscoring chances were
proving hard to come by for both teams, Khalilou Fadiga's
challenge putting Sheringham off when the ball dropped to him in
the box.
With three minutes of the half remaining a brilliant turn by
Bellion found space in the box and he squared the ball to Marlon
Harewood. The striker connected well, but a superb block by Fadiga
sent the ball sailing away for a corner.
A similar block from Dailly at the other end to deny Stelios
ensured the teams went in locked at 0-0 at the break.
HT: 0-0
With Hammers in command Sam Allardyce introduced Martin Djetou for
the second-half in place of Abdoulaye Faye. And on 55 minutes
Stelios had a great chance, latching onto a flick on, but firing
wide with only Hislop to beat. However, the Greece
international's blushes were spared by a linesman flag that
would have ruled any goal out.
After a sedate first-half pace the tempo was upped by both sides
for the second period, with the enthusiastic band of travelling
Hammers fans responding behind Ian Walker's goal.
On 63 minutes Fadiga tested Hislop with a low, swerving drive that
the Hammers goalkeeper did well to parry.
But moments later Fadiga helped instigate the move which broke
Hammers resistance. It was a swirling back post cross from the
midfielder that caught Hislop out and found Mexican striker Jared
Borgetti arriving to head home from close range and give Bolton the
lead.
Determined to hit back, Paul Konchesky tested Walker with a 25 yard
free-kick just after the re-start, but the Bolton stopper pushed
the ball comfortably over the crossbar.
On 70 minutes Kevin Nolan headed over from the same back post
that had seen Bolton take the lead, Borgetti having flicked on
Fadiga's corner.
Two minutes later Pards made a double substitution, Shaun Newton
and the fit-again Jeremie Aliadiere replacing Clive Clarke and
Teddy Sheringham to try and swing the game back in West Ham's
favour.
The switch very nearly had the desired effect when Aliadiere
sprinted clear of Joey O'Brien, but bearing down on Walker from
a tight angle he could only shoot straight at the Bolton goalkeeper
who parried to the feet of Tal Ben Haim to make the clearance.
With five minutes to go Marlon Harewood was replaced by Carl
Fletcher, making his first appearance since a month long loan spell
at Watford. The Welsh international midfielder was actually
deployed as a right-back for the remainder of the game as Pards
switched to a back three and threw James Collins up front to add
some presence to the Hammers attack.
With two minutes left Konchesky cued up a free-kick 25 yards out,
but with Hammers final roll of the dice resting at his feet he
could only fire high and wide of Walker's goal.
Borgetti might have sealed it in the dying minutes for Bolton when
he broke free of the Hammers backline, but Hislop made a good save
low down to his right.
Three minutes of stoppage time were added on by referee Andy
Marriner, but there was no way back for the Hammers as they went
out of the Carling Cup at the Third Round, losing 1-0 to Bolton
Wanderers.
Hammers Go Out At Bolton
26th October 2005