We come to the end of the season and a dead game against an already relegated Reading. Sam made some changes with the recently impressive Gary O’Neill dropped for Mark Noble and Jarvis swapped out for Joe Cole. WHU started as you would expect and pressured Reading, but with no out and out shots (as usual !).
Just after the 20 minute mark WHU got their breakthrough when Alex McCarthy in the Reading goal fired a clearance against the back of Andy Carroll for it to fall into the path of Kevin Nolan, who rounded the keeper to score. 10 minutes later WHU doubled their lead through a fantastic take down from Carroll followed by a reverse pass into the path of RVT who slotted it home. Just as well as he was shocking up till then.
West Ham might as well of done the lap of honour at half time as they came out in the second half as if they were the team that were relegated. Reading took this as the invite it was and were back to 2-2 within 10 minutes of the restart. Staring down the barrel of a defeat reinvigorated the Hammers and they came back with two late goals from Kevin Nolan to get his hat trick. Nice to see him pull his finger out for a change. The last goal was interesting if for nothing more than the provider was one Modibo Maiga. Sam’s folly of the season came on for a cameo and hopefully his last appearance in the Claret and Blue .
So the season long battle to stave off relegation finishes and the one to keep Andy Carroll starts. He set up three goals (one by chance, but you have to buy a ticket and all that). and was clearly the best player on the park. But for his first WHU threesome, i’ll go Kevin Nolan for MOTM.
This week I hope to get the full season report card out but dont hold your breath.
Mrben09 