So football is back!! My first game of the new season was a Europa League Qualifier so not a bad one to start with. I was in the East End to see West Ham take on Andorran minnows FC Lusitanos in the 1st Qualifying Round 1st Leg in what was Slaven Bilic's first game since he took over at the club.
He was given a rousing reception just before kick off as he was presented to the crowd and he waved to all corners of the ground draped in his Hammers scarf over his formal attire. He didn't actually take charge of the game itself, choosing to assume a role in stands and look over his new side and let academy manager Terry Westley take charge instead.
Almost 35,000 crammed into Upton Park no doubt expecting a thumping win for their side. It was a side mixed with experience and youth. Midfielder Reece Oxford was given his debut and at 16 years old became the youngest player to represent the club so full respect to him for that.
The Hammers had of course qualified for this competition thanks to the Fair Play league whilst Andorran side FC Lusitanos were embarking on their fourth European Campaign since formation in 1999. And so 40 days after West Ham had finished their final Premier League game of 2014-15 they were back in action.
So a great atmosphere greeted both sides and as expected the hosts had all the play as the visitors just kept eleven men behind the ball and tried to defend and frustrate the Hammers. The Andorrans weren't making many friends inside the Boelyn grounds with some of their antics. Some of the play acting at times was laughable but I guess it was all in the game-plan to try and upset their more illustrious hosts.
Despite the Hammers dominance they could not find that all important breakthrough and you could sense the frustration building, that was until the 40th minute when two of the more experienced players, Sakho and Zarate, combined to give the Irons a more than deserved lead. Zarate's good play down the right saw him cross to the far post where Sakho headed home and give the fans something to cheer and also release some of that tension that was building.
Bang on half time and the hosts had their second and again it was Sakho who was the man to grab the goal, converting a cutback from Amalfitano from close range and giving the Hammers a 2-0 half time lead, which was more than deserved it has to be said. This made half time much more relaxed amongnst the home fans and they all talked about how many their side would rack up in the second half.
West ham continued their dominance in the second half and just before the hour mark made it three when experience again made the difference as Tomkins powered home a cracking header from a Jarvis cross and you did wonder if the Andorran's would crumble after this moment.
However the game started to drift along and get a little disjointed as the minnows were obviously beginning to suffer with the pace of their opponents and the heat of the London evening too. The trainer/physio must of been on five or six times towards the end of the game. West Ham also took off both Sakho and Zarate at different moments of the game and both received standing ovations which were much deserved it has to be said.
West Ham nearly added a fourth goal in the SIX minutes of injury time that were added on when substitute Cullen curled an excellent effort onto the bar with keeper Rubio Ortuno totally beaten, but the Hammers would have to settle for three instead and so take a comfy and you would have to say an unassailable lead into the second leg next Thursday evening.
So a decent fare for my first footie of the season. Hammers fan's should be satisfied with their teams performance and it's 'Job Done' as they say. It was however against a side who offered nothing at all going forward and some resilience in defence to a certain extent but no doubt West Ham will face far better opposition in the coming months that's for sure!!!
The season of 2015-16 is now officially underway!!!
Some photos from the evening:-
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