Englischer Fussball Bund - 03/04 (EFB-03/04)

Andy H · 12-16-2003, 07:39 PM

Ok problem sorted take no notice of my gibbering shi t e.

rouchie · 12-16-2003, 10:06 PM

2004- A New Era!

Jan- 04

In my last report I asked that my player make a new years resolution to recapture the form and consistency that had put them at the tope end of the table, It would be unfair to judge them on their first game of 2004 though, Premiership Liverpool at Anfield in the FA cup, they don’t come much bigger!

FA Cup Vs Liverpool (A) – 3rd Jan 04

A big big game for the hammers, the scousers in scouseland! Just over 37,000 turned out to see the 1st Div challengers against the premiership also rans languishing mid table, was an upset on the cards? It certainly looked that way when Maccarone opened the scoring on 7 minutes with a low shot for West Ham after a very positive start. Liverpool equalised however, with what seemed like their only attack of the first half, Diouf the scorer. 1-1 at half time. 2nd half was a different story with Liverpool penning West Ham in their own half for the rest of the game. Heskey grabbing the winner on 68. West Ham very disappointing with their second 45 performance. 2-1 to the scousers and West Ham left to focus on promotion

League Vs Coventry (H) – 7th Jan 04

Carrick opened the scoring in front of the Upton Park faithful as West Ham effortlessly brushed the sky blues aside in this uneven encounter, Oskarsson and, of course, Maccarone adding to the tally to finish easy 3-0 winners. That the boys were now single-mindedly approaching the task of promotion was not in doubt!

League Vs Norwich (A) – 10th Jan 04

The games were coming thick and fast now and a trip up to Carrow road saw us taking on the Canaries, Norwich drew first blood in this fast paced encounter, McVeigh putting them 1 up. Loan signing Richie Partridge continued his rich vein of form to equalise on 20 minutes and a comical OG from Norwich’s Francis put the hammers in front.Defoe put the hammers further in front on 52 minutes and the hammers looked comfortable, that was until Abbey scored a brace to earn Norwich an unlikely draw in a real see-saw of a game. 3-3 the final score!

League Vs Nottm Forest (A) – 16th Jan 04

Another away game saw the boys in claret and blue travelling to the City Ground, a long way removed from the pomp of old big ‘eads reign but still one of the preseason tips for the promotion dog fight! Maccarone (Who else?) took a 1st minute lead flitting past the defence who still had the whistle ringing in their ears and slotting past the still sleeping Forest Keeper, 0-1! Game on, Forest responded quickly and Briscoe got them back on level terms within 3 more minutes. Maccarone restored West Hams dominance in the 16th minute and West Ham went in at half time 2-1 up. Maccarone completed his hatrick shortly after the restart, Connolly also got in the act grabbing a brace with Forest only grabbing one more from Johns. 2-5 the final score, West Ham back at the top! Happy days!

League Vs Watford (H) – 21st Jan 04

Watford were the next visitors to the Boleyn to face the freescoring league leaders and West Ham continued their great run of form with Maccarone grabbing another 2 (he is becoming unstoppable!) His second was after his penalty was saved, so the keeper relieved at saving the penalty, howled in frustration as he netted the rebound. Carrick grabbed a goal to put the hammers 3-0 up at half time. The second half was all but over when Watford sprang in to life scoring 2 in the last 4 minutes, but it was too little too late unfortunately, 3-2 to the juggernaut that is West Ham

League Vs Rotherham (A) – 28th Jan 04

After the close finish against Watford Paul Rouch was looking at his team to maintain their concentration for the full 90 this game. Defoe put the travelling West Ham on their way, and Carrick added to that on the hour, But again, West Ham let a team that should have been dead and buried back into the game with Smith and Warne both scoring at the Millmoor to level the score at 2-2 the equaliser disappointingly arriving in the dying minutes of the game.

January drew to a close and promising young manager Paul Rouch was awarded the Manager of the month for the second time this season, the first being in his first month in the job. Kjell Andre Thu also won the Young Player of the month. It looked like the guys were keeping to their resolution. West Ham fans although initially sceptical of the young unknown were now more than happy that the right man was in the job.

rouchie · 12-16-2003, 10:17 PM

Oops Missed a January game from my report! Another win! read it here

League Vs Sheff Utd (H) – 31st Jan 04

After the disappointing draw at Rotherham, definitely 2 dropped points!, A good home performance was demanded of the team. The team did not disappoint! Defoe, Maccarone and Oskarsson grabbing one each in a stroll of a win. 3-0. Harald Schumacher, the cheating German Keeper turned manager, was apoplectic as his team were outclassed destined for the promised land of the premiership, not a good omen for his first game in charge!

rouchie · 12-16-2003, 11:12 PM

2004- A New Era!

Feb 04

Following on from the massive month that was January, a steady hand was needed to maintain all the good work already done

League Vs Crystal Palace (A) – 7th Feb 04

Striving to maintain the magnificent run Maccarone grabbed an almost effortless brace, defoe and Partridge adding to the eagles woes as Popovic was sent off and Rihilhati crocke. A canter of a 4-0 win with West Ham never really exerting themselves.

League Vs Wigan (H)– 14th Feb 04

Full confidence restored after an easy run out at Selhurst Park and a visit to the Boleyn from Wigan. West Ham were at their scintillating best as the continued their goalscoring exploits and utter domination of the first division, another 2 from fans favourite the on loan Maccarone and Carrick grabbing a rare brace too only told half the story. West Ham simply bossed the whole pitch, end to end with Wigan not even getting a sniff of the West Ham goal. The premiership here we come!! Another 4-0

League Vs Walsall (A) – 18th Feb 04

Maccarone (I love that man!) and Bertelsen do the damage in the first half at the Bescot Stadium. Walsall pull one back through Flood in the second half but west hams run continues! 9 games undefeated since the FA cup loss to Liverpool at the turn of the year. 2-1 to the cockney boys

League Vs Sunderland (H) – 22nd Feb 04

After 4 straight wins the boys wanted this next win to give their Manager the best winning sequence of the season, they did not let me down. 2-1, 5 straight wins with Defoe doing the deed and scoring both goals while Sunderland were restricted to the one reply from Tommy Smith, with McAteer losing it and getting sent off it was a miserable journey back up to geordieland for the mackems!

League Vs WBA (A) – 27th Feb 04

A top of the table clash for the last game of February, a real 6 pointer, If West Ham win, it could be 11 points clear, if thy lost that would be cut to 5pts by their nearest rivals. A 2-0 lead established in the first 45 by Alpay and Defoe was thrown away in the second half as the baggies decided they did want to make a fight of it. Thomas and Hughes getting them back to level terms, where it remained. 2-2 and another game where you feel West Ham threw away 2 points

The February Manager of the Month was presented to the increasingly well thought of West Ham Manager and rising star Paul Rouch, his 3rd such award and 2nd in succession. Michael carrick comes 3rd in the goal of the month competition and Richie Partridge acknowledges his managers contribution as he picks up the player of the month award. Life is good at Upton Park at the moment

rouchie · 12-17-2003, 12:49 AM

2004- A New Era!

Mar 04

February saw West ham tighten their stranglehold on the Nationwides top spot. More of the same was demanded by their ambitious manger as they went into March after a near 2 week internationals enforced break.

League Vs Ipswich (A) 10th March 04

After the disappointment of letting 2nd place Albion off the hook West Ham are keen to re-establish the winning mentality which has seen them blow away opposition this year as West ham try to regain admission to the premiership at the first attempt. Maccarone proving his worth yet again, sets West Ham on the way with a 4th minute drive, the Tractor Boy’s Counago equalises fortuitously on 17 mins but Bertelsen regains the lead for West Ham before the end of the first half. The 2nd half flys by with little incident and the Hammers drive back to London with 3 points in the bag

League Vs Gillingham (H) 13th March 04

The Gills travelled to Upton Park more in hope than anticipation and all hope was mercilessly dashed as the hammers continued their amazing unbeaten run and put the Blues to the blade with 2 second half goals securing the points, Defoe and Maccarone 1 apiece! 2-0

League Vs Bradford City (H) 16th March 04

Another home match, another mis-match!! 4-0. another romp in the park as West Ham were a class apart! 4 flattered the Bantams defence as the Hammers waltzed in and out at will. Bradford resorted to crude tactics but the Claret And Blue were rewarded with 2 penalties, one converted by Maccarone and one by Etherington, the other 2 goals coming in open play from Partridge and another form Etherington. The unbeaten home run continues, no defeats in the league at the Boleyn all season

League Vs Preston North End (A) 16th March 04

West Ham were the team of the moment, wiping the floor with the PNE boys in front of their home crowd, 5-1 and the goalden exploits of Maccarone with a further goal from him, Defoe knocked in another 2 , Etherington and Connolly both chipped in as well and Ricardo Fuller did his best to give the home team some consolation when he got one back, but 5-1 the final score and the boys beginning to look unstoppable!

League Vs Burnley (A) 31st March 04

Etherington opened the scoring with the seasons 100th league goal for West Ham, Defoe added another before half time to keep the momentum of West Hams promotion push going. The second half proved a tad trickier however, although Defoe put the Hammers further in front with his second goal, West Hams seemingly unassailable 3 goal lead did come under pressure with Moore and Tabb both netting in the final Ten to make for a nervous final few minutes, but the hammers hang on to complete the month with a 100% record! Rock on! 19 consecutive league games undefeated, how long can this go on? A playoff place already secure, Fans are ecstatic with the managers and the teams performance

At the monthly awards, West Ham grabbed all but the goal of the month with Jermaine Defoe coming in 2nd. Player of the month was once again picked up by Richie Partridge, the on loan Liverpool lad once again acknowledged the debt of gratitude he owed Paul Rouch for his support. Young Player of the month was won by Kjell Andre Thu and the Manager of the month was won for the 3rd successive month by the hammerettes heart throb that is Paul Rouch

. As 2004 progressed, promotion was looking more and more like a formality for the brilliant West Ham, and the supporters were loving every minute of it, even the board had been seen celebrating the fantastic run of results!
:thup:

Andy H · 12-17-2003, 01:01 AM

************ANNOUNCEMENTS****************

As Xmas is fast approaching I propose the following schedule for EFB:

Thursday Night as normal

Monday Night 22/12 - Game will be off. Want to spend time with my girlfriend before she goes home

Tuesday Night 23/12 - Game will be on as normal

Then if someone else could host ie maybe Gaz then the game could continue in my absence over Christmas and New year as I have said I am away till the 11th of January. Or we have a break till I get back after in the New year.

Also in the new year I am afraid I am gonna have to take out one of the sessions on a Tuesday night as I will be working till 9pm or so unless we can agree on a session from say 9.30pm or so till 12pm then it will be cancelled. Now this only a sugestion and I would be glad if others put their views forward on this matter or any other suggestions they may have.

Goldy · 12-17-2003, 01:09 AM

*#*#* Stevenage Bulletin *#*#*

FA Cup Update

Well we did really well, furthest EFB team

Another Giant Killing feat followed against Bristol City, former player Mattews started the rout.Cook and Coates grabbed a goal each with Humphres getting two. Final score was 5-2.

Then we got Burnley, we should of come out of this game about 6-1 winners.....but thanks to CM and its lovely play we lost 2-1 and crashed out the cup

.....bloody CM, dominate a team and get screwed.

FA Trophy

Well forgetting the FA Cup misery, our FA Trophy run has been execptional aswell, 3rd round saw St Albans on their way, Artus, Dadi, Matthews and Huckerby scoring. Farnborough were trashed 4-1 in the 4th round in which Campos got two, Huckerby and Brennan scored the others. Burton where then beat with goals from Juliusson and Huckerby which then saw us thrash Gravesend and send us through to the semi final with Juliusson scoring once again and Humphreyes finding his golden boots and bagging a brace.

Conference League

Its been really good in the leage, we've had a good run of games once again and have been on a good unbeaten run, wins over Gravesend (5-2), Leigh (4-1), Hereford (5-0), Aldershot (3-0), Forest Green (3-0), Morecambe (2-0), Scarborough (3-0) and draws against Margate (1-1) and Burton (2-2)

Most of the goals have been scored my club captain and star midfielder Juliusson (Julio), Huckerby and Humphreys who now has 38 goals to his name

Not been a bad session at all for the club, fantastic victories in all competitions and in true cm style we did get screwed a couple of times.

There's something i forgot.....what was it now........oh yeah..........its a song the Stevenage fans are all singing............

"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OH WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS"

CHAMPIONS,CHAMPIONS,CHAMPIONS

You guessed it

Stephen Gold and his Stevenage side have won the NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE, scoring already over a 100 goals and getting near the 100points mark we have done it, there are still a few games left but we can now sit back and relax and watch the fight for the play off places. Very happy with the success that we've had and hope it continues.......the double is still on but this was our main target