21 April 1986 - Goalkeeping By Committee Doesn't Work

On 21 April 1986, West Ham center back Alvin Martin scored a rare hat-trick against Newcastle--with each goal coming against a different goalkeeper.

Playing before a crowd of almost 25,000 at Upton Park, Newcastle began the day with Martin Thomas, their regular goalkeeper. Thomas had missed their previous match, a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, due to a shoulder injury and was still not completely fit. But Newcastle's back-up keeper had himself gotten injured at Stamford Bridge and did not make the trip to West Ham, so Thomas had to start.

After only four minutes, Martin beat Thomas for his first goal of the day. By halftime, with Thomas having conceded two more West Ham goals and a Newcastle own-goal, he was unable to continue, replaced by midfielder Chris Hedworth for the second half. Hedworth lasted less than 30 minutes in goal after damaging his collarbone on an awkward fall, but not before Martin scored again.

As Hedworth returned to the midfield, forward Peter Beardsley stepped between the pipes and conceded three more goals, the last of which was delivered by Martin in the 84th minute.

The Hammers ended the season in third place, their best-ever finish. Martin remained at Upton Park until 1996, when he moved to Leyton Orient.

13 January 1999 - Swansea's Shock Of The Season

On 13 January 1999, Swansea City upset West Ham in a Third Round FA Cup Replay despite being separated by 73 places in the English football pyramid.

The two sides met at Upton Park 11 days earlier, where Swansea were denied a victory by a late West Ham equalizer three minutes from time. For the replay at Swansea's Vetch Field, the hosts were sitting in 14th place in Division Three, while West Ham were holding down the 8th position in the Premier League, three levels higher.

The Hammers created a handful of early chances, thanks in part to the return of midfielder Frank Lampard, who had missed the previous match. But they were unable to convert, with Lampard's 11th-minute header falling just inches wide of the post. Swansea keeper Roger Freestone then made a brilliant save to deny another shot from the midfielder.

Swansea nearly claimed the lead in the 21st minute when midfielder Martin Thomas beat West Ham keeper Shaka Hislop, but his shot struck the bar. Thomas was not to be denied, however, and 8 minutes later he fired a 25-yarder that curled into the bottom corner of the net. Several home supporters rushed onto the pitch, forcing a few minutes' delay while officials restored order.

West Ham pressed forward, but were repeatedly denied by Freestone as Swansea reaped a deserved 1-0 win.

Swansea City 1 - 0 West Ham FA Cup 3rd Round Replay 1999 from Skip The Jack on Vimeo.