Norwich, with striker Kris Renton sidelined through injury, welcomed back to the defence Paul McLean, who had remarkably recovered from last week’s injury. Norwich were also bolstered in the starting eleven by Ajet Shehu and Saulo Asajile from Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham carved out the first opening of the match in the opening minutes when Junior Stanislas got clear of the Norwich defence to shoot over from the edge of the penalty area.
Although both sides were committed to attack, there was not a worthy attempt on goal during the next twenty five minutes, with both defences reluctant to make errors and Norwich captain Paul McLean particularly outstanding as he kept the tall Hammers striker Ben Hunt under control.
On thirty seven minutes West Ham’s Junior Stanislas set up Anthony Edgar, but from outside the penalty area he pulled his effort wide.
Norwich then had a spell of getting behind the Hammers defence. Damon Lathrope played a through ball to the pacy Jordan Yong who sent the ball over to Luke Daley but Norwich were unable to take full advantage.
Norwich’s Paul McLean then had to make an important block from Junior Stanislas as he shot for goal.
Norwich should have then opened the scoring in first half stoppage time. Ahmad Abdillahi received the ball from Mark O’Toole along the left flank, and crossed low and hard into the Hammer’s penalty area, the second time in many minutes, but with Saule Asajile lurking at the far post, he shot into the side netting.
Within a minute of the restart West Ham went in front. Anthony Edgar, out on the left, crossed first time on the run into the Norwich penalty area and Junior Stanislas, who had caused Norwich some concern throughout, nipped in to blast the ball past goalkeeper Steve Arnold high into the net.
On fifty six minutes Norwich should have equalised, as Luke Daley got away from the Hammer’s markers with only Marek Stech to beat, but the young Czech goalkeeper stuck out a leg to intercept the ball.
Tom Miller, in his usual midfield role, kept Norwich in the game with some good challenges and setting up attacks. But Steve Arnold was also playing his part in the match, especially on the hour when he turned his body to keep out a fierce drive from Anthony Edgar.
Norwich then forced a corner from Marek Stech as Jordan Yong got clear and struck low from distance and the Hammer’s goalkeeper diving full length to palm aside.
On seventy seven minutes, Norwich had one final chance to take a share of the points as substitutes Korey Smith and David Cooper combined to send the ball to the far post, but Ahmad Abdillahi headed wide.
The sole strike from Junior Stanislas got the Hammers back on the winning trial, after two losses in previous weeks, as for Norwich they will look forward to the Anglian derby at Ipswich next weekend.
City Line-Up: Arnold, R. Kelly, O’Toole, Lathrope (Smith 54), McLean, Shehu, Asajile (Cooper 68), Miller, Daley, Yong, Abdillahi
Top Canary: Paul McLean.
- FONCY would like to pass on their best wishes and a "Get Well Soon" to West Ham's Academy Assistant Stan Burke who was taken to hospital in midweek.
- Our thanks go to Bernard Combes for providing FONCY with paper for the teamsheets that are distributed at Colney each home game. We are grateful to Bernard for helping support a small but regular income for FONCY funds.
Ajet Shehu goes in for the tackle
Damon Lathrope in action
Mark O'Toole is up for the header
Ajet Shehu is up for the challenge
Paul McLean receives treatment from Rod Dyer
