Reid was named player of the day for an outstanding defensive shift that helped his side edge closer to a return to the Premiership after being relegated last season. They will meet either Blackpool or Birmingham City in the final, with Blackpool taking a 1-0 lead into tomorrow’s second leg of their semi-final.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Wales, the Hammers stretched their aggregate lead after just 15 minutes through Kevin Nolan.
Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te added a second goal five minutes before half-time and Nicky Maynard completed a 3-0 win as the clocked ticked down, sending the Upton Park faithful into raptures.
It’s been 31 years since West Ham last played at Wembley Stadium – their 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool took place at Millennium Stadium – and the stakes will be high when they return to the home of English football.
The spoils of victory in the Championship Play-off Final are estimated to be at least £90million (NZ$183million), largely due to television revenues associated with the Premier League.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is already embracing the challenge.
“We’ve got a massive opportunity over 90 minutes to get back into the golden league, where it all happens,” Allardyce said.
“Hopefully we can hold it together and give a performance like we did today when we get to Wembley. It’s a big pressure for us and whoever we get we will probably be favourites again but what a fantastic stage to go and play on.”
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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