Source: Team_Talk
Nolan hits winner for Hammers
Sam Allardyce won as West Ham manager for the first time after masterminding a typically battling 1-0 success at Championship rivals Doncaster.[LNB] Summer signing Kevin Nolan's fifth-minute strike, his first for the Hammers, was enough to ensure the promotion favourites bounced back from their 1-0 opening-day defeat to Cardiff.[LNB]But, after a dominant first half at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, Allardyce's side had to withstand several nervous moments after the interval as they dug in for victory against a Rovers side beset by injury.[LNB]Allardyce started transfer target Scott Parker, whose industry will be sorely missed if, as expected, he departs, at the heart of a 4-5-1 formation that served to control the opening 45 minutes.[LNB]The cautious approach was aided by their early goal as Nolan opened his Hammers scoring account in style.[LNB]Jack Collison, the only change from last weekend in place of Freddie Sears, perfectly weighted a lofted diagonal pass to find Nolan's run to the back post where he prodded home on the volley.[LNB]The former Newcastle midfielder then came close to doubling his tally after 17 minutes when his first-time shot from 30 yards almost caught out home goalkeeper Gary Woods, who recovered quickly enough to touch it onto the crossbar.[LNB]It was evident early on Allardyce's formation, with Frederic Piquionne the lone striker, was swamping Doncaster's preferred passing game.[LNB]Parker's industry ensured he continually picked up loose balls and with his fellow midfielders offering willing support for Piquionne, West Ham posed a measured, if not constant, attacking threat.[LNB]Collison had an effort blocked while James Tomkinson and Matt Taylor both headed over.[LNB]To Doncaster's credit they patiently maintained their passing approach but with the midfield suffocated they did not fashion a single shot on target in the first half.[LNB]After the interval the hosts found more joy attacking down the wings and after winning a free-kick out wide Giles Barnes headed John Oster's delivery wide.[LNB]A James Coppinger cross then needed a timely clearing header from Joey O'Brien, while Parker's awareness of the growing danger was required when he charged down a Chris Brown shot.[LNB]Doncaster's improvement forced Allardyce to discard his half-time coffee and get off his bench for the first time as he barked instructions to his under-fire side.[LNB]Now agitated Allardyce brought on Carlton Cole for the ineffectual Piquionne and the striker immediately forced a save with a header before crashing another shot into the side-netting.[LNB]Doncaster were, however, the more likely scorers and broke down the right only for Coppinger to cut the ball back into a vacant six-yard box.[LNB]Coppinger then headed agonisingly wide of the far post from another cross, this time from the impressive Mustapha Dumbuya, before Robert Green denied Simon Gillett at close quarters.[LNB]With time ticking down the visitors thought they had won a penalty when George Friend challenged Cole in the air.[LNB]Allardyce was clearly unhappy as he raised his arms in dispute on the touchline, but the 56-year-old was soon a relieved man as referee Scott Mathieson blew full-time on his first win.
