It was a day to remember for West Ham as Mark Noble’s testimonial ended 6-5 to a current XI against a club legends XI.
A hugely-anticipated day for Mark Noble and West Ham United finally arrived on Monday afternoon as the club captain’s testimonial took place at Upton Park to honour the 28-year-old’s 16-year association with the club.
In the end, it was a dream day for Noble as more fans turned out to watch the spectacle than any competitive match so far this season, and the skipper got on the scoresheet for a current Irons XI against an XI packed full of former players and club legends.
The crowd were certainly rewarded for turning out in their thousands as the match finished 6-5 to the current XI after 90 minutes.
In a match packed full of action, Craig Bellamy opened the scoring before Noble’s big moment arrived on 25 minutes when he collected Diafra Sakho’s pass and beat David James to equalise.
Two minutes later saw one of the game’s more extraordinary moments, as current Hammers goalkeeper Adrian ran the length of the pitch before finding the net.
The current XI’s lead was extended before the break thanks to goals from Alex Song and Diafra Sakho, with Noble setting up the latter to put his team 4-1 ahead at half-time.
An extraordinary second half saw goals flying in all over the place, as substitute Teddy Sheringham and Sakho exchanged goals before former Hammers striker Dean Ashton scored two goals in three minutes including a stunning scissor kick.
Paolo Di Canio, making a special appearance for the current XI, waltzed through the defence to make it 6-4 before the most poignant moment of the day came when Hull man Taylor Tombides finished neatly before pointing to the sky in memory of late brother and Hammers youth player Dylan, who died from cancer at the age of just 20 in 2014.
The match finished 6-5 to the current XI, but when a penalty shootout was held anyway with every player on each side taking a spot kick, it finished tied at 7-7 from 12 yards on a memorable day for West Ham and Noble.
Here are some of the highlights of the day in photo and video form:
Here come the teams! #MN16 #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/g1j2OLJY2w
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) March 28, 2016
Led by Billy Bonds, Sir Trevor Brooking and the two teams, here comes your Testimonial hero @Noble16Mark! #MN16https://t.co/q67XTzI9d4
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) March 28, 2016
He’s still got it. Craig Bellamy fires the All-Star XI into the lead with a brilliant finish. #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/7pWbo6ik6k
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
.@jamosfoundation hasn’t read the script… #PantomimeVillain #MN16 https://t.co/mRwgPtPZcE
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
.@whufc_official captain @Noble16Mark marked his testimonial with a goal on his special day. ⚒ #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/osFK9fL9m9
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
Anything @Noble16Mark can do, @AdriSanMiguel can do better! ⚒ #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/pwvQE2VnD3
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
Paolo Di Canio reminds the @whufc_official faithful of what he was all about… #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/Fu0QjTUl0B
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
.@Dean36ashton10 take a bow… #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/9b9406XOkk
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
“This is what they want!” Paolo Di Canio delights the @whufc_official crowd with a superb solo goal. #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/HSUDIynDCP
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
.@taylor_tombides nets with a delicate chip and points to the sky in memory of brother @Dylantombides. #MN16 #WHUFC https://t.co/EqjeSgXKJw
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
.@Noble16Mark reflects a on “unbelievable” day in front of a sold out Boleyn Ground for his testimonial. #MN16 https://t.co/L0iIZWrdcj
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 28, 2016
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