Skipper Parker saves Hammers' blushes (From Echo)

Skipper Parker saves Hammers' blushes

11:49am Wednesday 25th August 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

SCOTT Parker spared West Ham’s blushes by scoring the winner with a right-foot shot deep into injury time to send the Hammers through to the third round of the Carling Cup.

The match proved to be a test for the Hammers with Oxford bringing good saves from goalkeeper Marek Stech following efforts by James Constable and Asa Hall while Simon Heslop and Harry Worley were narrowly wide.

Parker came close 10 minutes from time while Carlton Cole had an effort ruled out for offside after 88 minutes before the former settled the match in the Premier League side's favour.

Frederic Piquionne might have put the Hammers in front in the first minute, his rasping 20-yard shot neatly turned around the post for a corner by Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.

West Ham enjoyed the majority of the possession as you might expect from a Premier League side but while their football was neat and pretty they were struggling to penetrate Oxford’s defence.

Oxford, however, were fortunate when a Junior Stanislas right-foot shot deflected off a defender and flew narrowly wide of the post.

West Ham continued to squander chances, Piquionne somehow contriving to miss with a header from six yards when under no pressure with just the goalkeeper to beat.

The best save of the half, however, came from West Ham’s Stech who was forced to tip over a blistering 30-yard drive from Asa Hall.

Piquionne might have put the Hammers in front in the first minute, his rasping 20-yard shot neatly turned around the post for a corner by Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.

West Ham were the livelier side but the visitors might have caused a shock when James Constable forced a fine save from the home goalkeeper Marek Stech with a left-footed shot before he tipped over a 30-yard drive from Asa Hall.

Oxford were growing in confidence and their travelling band of fans were sensing a potential cup giant-killing.

Grant threw on striker Benni McCarthy for Freddie Sears in search of the breakthrough.

But it was Scott Parker who almost provided the opening goal in the 80th minute, a smart cutback from Piquionne allowing him to pick his spot but Oxford goalkeeper Clarke was equal to the challenge.

The Hammers did have the ball in the Oxford net in the 88th minute but Carlton Cole’s effort was ruled out for offside.

But then deep into injury time Piquionne surged forward and supplied the cross for Scott Parker to slide home the winner from six yards.