WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
2020-21 Women's Super League
Manager: Matt Beard / Olli Harder (23 December 2020)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The Hive
1 - 1 (Leon)
6 September 2020
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Pacheco
Cho (Van Egmond)
Dali
Svitkova (Grant)
Lehmann (Nor)
Kiernan (Daly)
Leon
Adriana Leon’s fantastic solo run and finish ensured West Ham United earned a share of the spoils in the 2020-21 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season-opener against Tottenham Hotspur.
The home side had taken the lead when a Spurs corner was diverted by Grace Fisk into her own net on 53 minutes, but Leon’s stunning strike got the Irons level less than four minutes later.
It was the Canadian forward who has the best chance to win the game as well, as her diving header was somehow denied on the line by Tottenham goalkeeper Becky Spencer.
It had been 196 days since West Ham last played in the Barclays FA WSL, with three new faces making their respective debuts for the Irons – Mackenzie Arnold, Maz Pacheco and Katerina Svitkova.
ARSENAL
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 9 (Dali)
12 September 2020
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Pacheco
ChoDali (Van Egmond)
Svitkova (Redisch)
Lehmann (Grant)
Daly
Leon (Kiernan)
West Ham United suffered a heavy defeat to Arsenal in their first game at Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium, in front of fans for the first time since February. It started well for the Irons, as Mackenzie Arnold got a huge ovation from the home fans after making a terrific instinctive save to deny Miedema, after her shot took a wicked deflection off of Laura Vetterlein. Arsenal took the lead on 23 minutes as Roord netted on the half-volley, but the Irons hit back less than five minutes later for the second time in as many weeks. Kenza Dali collected the ball on the edge of the area and hit a superb strike in the bottom corner. Arnold then followed up her terrific saves earlier in the half with a double-stop from other planet, denying Beth Mead one-on-one from six yards before stopping Jordan Nobbs from tucking home the rebound. There was no stopping Arsenal’s second though, as Miedema tucked home from close range. The ball looked offside, and, in the aftermath, captain Flaherty was shown a second yellow card and sent off. Arsenal would add another two goals before the end of the half through Little and Mead, giving the Hammers a mountain to climb in the second period.Roord would complete her hat-trick, while Miedema would strike again, before Leah Williamson and Caitlin Foord also netted to compound a difficult afternoon for the Irons.
READING
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 1
4 October 2020
Arnold
Redisch (Nor)
Fisk
Cho
Pacheco
Van Egmond
Loghurst (Grant)
Dali
Lehmann (Kiernan)
Daly
Leon
West Ham United were beaten 1-0 by Reading on a disappointing Sunday afternoon for Matt Beard’s side. A first half strike from Lauren Bruton was enough to seal the points for the visitors at a rain-soaked Chigwell Construction Stadium.
The Hammers were left to rue missed opportunities, with Kenza Dali failing to convert from the penalty spot in the second half. The defeat leaves West Ham 9th in the Barclays Women’s Super League after just three rounds of fixtures. It was the Hammers started the game in the ascendancy and forced the first opening after just three minutes. Dali was released down the right-hand side and a slick passing move resulted in Rachel Daly finding the advancing Maz Pacheco on the corner of the box. With time and space, the left back could only fire high and wide against her former club.
Sporting their Pink Kit – in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness – Matt Beard’s side struggled to turn their possession into further early chances. The Hammers enjoyed some good spells of possession despite the adverse weather conditions. West Ham were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Reading took the lead just before the half hour mark. Natasha Harding was allowed too much time to get her cross in from the right and Lauren Bruton was on-hand to volley the visitors ahead from close-range.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION :
Continental League Cup (Group D)
The Peoples Pension Stadium
2 - 2 (Daly, Flaherty)
7 October 2020
Brosnan
Redisch
Flaherty
Fisk
Pacheco
Longhurst (Grant)
Van Egmond
Dali
Kiernan (Lehmann)
Daly
Leon (Nor)
Alisha Lehmann fired home the winning penalty in a frantic shoot-out, after Gilly Flaherty’s late-leveller earned West Ham United at least a share of the points against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rachel Daly’s first goal in Claret and Blue had put the Hammers in front, but Megan Connolly levelled before half-time. Substitute Rianna Jarrett gave Brighton the lead, but captain Flaherty headed home from a corner kick to take the match to the shoot-out.
Both sides would miss spot-kicks but, after Courtney Brosnan’s fine save, substitute Lehmann stepped up to fire home the winning effort.
EVERTON
Walton Hall Park
1 - 3 (Dali)
11 October 2020
Arnold
Redisch
Flaherty
Fisk
Pacheco
Van Egmond
Grant (Longhurst)
Dali
Kiernan (Nor)
Daly
Leon
West Ham United fell to a 3-1 Barclays FA Women’s Super League defeat away to Everton.
Two goals from Everton substitute Lucy Graham in the second period settled the game, after Nicoline Sorensen had given the Toffees an eight-minute lead.
Kenza Dali’s fantastic low finish from outside the area had drawn the Hammers level in the first half, but it was the home side that took all three points in an entertaining encounter at Walton Hall Park.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Chigwell Construction Stadium
2 - 4 (Daly, Van Egmond)
18 October 2020
Arnold
Redisch
Flaherty
Vetterlein (Joel)
Fisk
Longhurst (Cho)
Dali
Van Egmond
Leon (Lehmann)
Daly
Thomas (Svitkova)
West Ham United were beaten 4-2 by Manchester United in the Barclays FA Women's Super League on a difficult Sunday afternoon at the Chigwell Construction stadium.
Quick-fire goals from Alessia Russo and Tobin Heath put the visitors in control, before Emily van Egmond got a goal back for the Hammers. Russo added her second before the break and despite Rachel Daly’s chipped effort setting up a tense finish, although Manchester United triumphed adding a late fourth through Christen Press. The defeat leaves the Hammers 10th in the Barclays FA WSL after just five rounds of fixtures.
READING :
Continental League Cup (Group D)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
3 - 0 (Daly, Lehmann, Van Egmond)
5 November 2020
Arnold
Joel (Leon)
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Cho
Van Egmond
Svitkova (Longhurst)
Daly
Thomas (Nor)
Lehmann (Kiernan)
West Ham United secured a first win of the 2020/21 season in sizzling style, seeing off Reading 3-0 in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup group stages.
Inspired by a bistering performance by Martha Thomas, who registered a hat-trick of assists in the midweek game, goals by Alisha Lehmann, Emily van Egmond and Rachel Daly earned Matt Beard’s Irons a thoroughly deserved victory.
A near flawless performance was on show across the pitch for the home side, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold denying Lauren Bruton from the penalty spot with the Hammers one goal up. Danielle Caret would also pull an effort wide from 12 yards, when Reading were awarded another spot-kick in the second period.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Damson Park
2 - 1 (Van Egmond, Walker [og])
8 November 2020
Arnold
Daly
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Cho
Van Egmond
Svitkova (Dali)
Lehmann (Kiernan)
Thomas (Longhurst)
Leon
Emily van Egmond’s deft header secured a comeback 2-1 win for West Ham United away at Birmingham City.
Van Egmond’s finish, from Rachel Daly’s brilliant cross, came after Adriana Leon’s well-placed ball into the box had been deflected into her own net by Birmingham’s Claudia Walker later in the first period.
The striker had given the Blues the lead on nine minutes with a one-on-one finish, but the Hammers were able to come back and score twice to deservedly claim the three points and a first Barclays FA Women’s Super League win of the campaign.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 1
15 Novemebr 2020
Arnold
Daly
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Cho (Cissoko)
Van Egmond
Svitkova (Dali)
Lehmann (Redish)
Thomas
Leon (Kiernan)
West Ham United were unable to break down a stubborn Brighton & Hove Albion side at the Chigwell Construction Stadium as they slipped to a 0-1 defeat in Barclays FA Women's Super League.
Despite creating plenty of opportunities with some good football and pacy attacking play, the Irons could not make the good positions they had assumed count, coming up against a Seagulls' shot-stopper, Cecile Fiskerstand, in resolute form. The goal was ultimately settled, against the run of play, by Rianna Jarrett's second-half finish.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC : Continental League Cup (Group D)
Oakwood VCD
4 - 0 (Kiernan 2, Thomas, Van Egmond)
18 November 2020
Brosnan
Redisch (Barker)
Flaherty
Cissoko
Joel
Grant (Dali)
Longhurst
Van Egmond
Daly (Thomas)
Nor (Leon)
Kiernan (Dunbar)
A professional and thorough showing by West Ham United secured a 4-0 win over Charlton Athletic to end their group matches top of Group D in the Women’s Continental League Cup.
Emily van Egmond’s opener – her fourth goal in five games – was followed by a first two finishes of the season by striker Leanne Kiernan. Substitute Martha Thomas also netted her first goal of the campaign against an Addicks side who saw Rachel Newborough sent off on the hour mark.
An evening which saw two West Ham United debuts – for Angie Dunbar and Maisy Barker – was ended with the victory secured. The Hammers end their Group D campaign with eight points from the three games played.
CHELSEA
Kingsmeadow
2 - 3 (Daly, Eriksson [og])
6 December 2020
Arnold
Redisch
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Cho
Longhurst (Grant)
Van Egmond
Daly
Thomas (Lehmann)
Leon (Svitkova)
A valiant West Ham United performance was not enough to overcome a Sam Kerr hat-trick, as the Irons fell to a 3-2 defeat away at reigning Barclays FA Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.
The home side had taken the first-half lead through Kerr, but birthday girl Rachel Daly levelled the game just moments into the second half. While the Irons more than deserved to be level, Kerr would strike twice to put the Blues in control. A late Magdalena Eriksson own-goal would reduce the deficit. A compact West Ham United side started positively in the chilly December setting at Kingsmeadow. Martha Thomas saw an initial effort blocked in the box and, three minutes later, forced Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger into her first save of the afternoon.
For the Hammers’ very good opening to the match, it was Chelsea who took the lead on the quarter-of-an-hour mark. The Blues regained possession from the West Ham midfield and broke quickly, feeding the ball down the line. The cross game in and Kerr was there to slide the ball into the bottom corner. The away side had an amazing opportunity to level just moments later as birthday girl Rachel Daly was played through into a one-on-one situation. The forward tried to lift the ball over Berger, but the Chelsea shot-stopper did well to react and keep the effort out.
Mackenzie Arnold was called into action twice by shots from distance, from Melanie Leupolz and So-yun Ji respectively, before the Irons had the final chance of the first-half; So-hyun Cho’s shot on the turn going over the Chelsea bar. Having been so positive in the first period, the Irons stunned the returning Chelsea fans inside Kingsmeadow less than two minutes after the restart, levelling the game.
A wonderfully creative flick by Emily van Egmond set Adriana Leon away down the flank. The Canadian pulled the ball back and Daly, on her 29th birthday, tapped in her fourth West Ham goal. Having worked so hard to get back into the game, it was frustrating for the away side to fall behind again on 55 minutes, with Australian Kerr firing Chelsea back in front with a powerful effort.
The Blues winger completed her hat-trick on 68 minutes. Fran Kirby’s cut-back left Kerr with little to do but stab in her third from close-range. West Ham did not stop battling and, with just two minutes left of normal time, Alisha Lehmann's cross was turned into her own net by Eriksson, giving the Hammers a second and hope of a reward for their efforts. However, Chelsea held on, taking the win in an entertaining outing, despite West Ham’s gallantry.
BRISTOL CITY
Twerton Park
4 - 0 (Daly, Thomas, Van Egmond, Purfield [og])
13 December 2020
Arnold
Redisch
Flaherty
Fisk
Joel (Cissoko)
Cho
Grant (Dali)
Van Egmond
Daly
Thomas (Kiszkis)
Leon (Lehmann)
West Ham United claimed a deserved three points with a 4-0 Barclays FA Women’s Super League win away to Bristol City.
Pressure in the early exchanges led to the Hammers forcing an own-goal by Jemma Purfield on 11 minutes, before Emily van Egmond, Rachely Daly and Martha Thomas showed the away team’s quality with three excellent goals in the second period.
23 December 2020
Olli Harder
West Ham United is delighted to confirm the appointment of Olli Harder as the women’s team’s new manager. New Zealand-born Harder arrives in East London boasting an impressive CV cultivated at clubs around the world, with high-level coaching experience in the UK, China, USA, New Zealand and Norway.
The 34-year-old has signed an initial two-and-a-half-year deal with the Club and arrives fresh from successful roles as Head of Football Development & First Team Coach at Klepp IL and Assistant Manager at Sandnes Ulf in Norway.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 1
17 January 2021
Arnold
Redisch (Lehmann)
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Longhurst
Dali (Leon)
Cho (Mustafa)
Svitkova (Pacheco)
Van Egmond
Thomas
Olli Harder’s first match in charge of West Ham United ended in a narrow, and undeserved, defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. A first half strike from substitute Lucy Quinn was the difference between the two sides at the Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium.
Emily van Egmond went closest for the Hammers with a headed effort in the second half. It was just eight minutes before the Hammers fashioned the first chance of the afternoon. A neat passing move in midfield saw Cho split the Tottenham defence with a lofted pass through to Van Egmond.
The Australian midfielder took time to steady herself, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Becky Spencer in the Spurs goal. The Irons were assured in possession during the opening exchanges, content to occupy the Tottenham half for long spells as they looked for the breakthrough. In contrast, the visitors probed on the counter, attempting to find attacking duo Jessica Naz and Rachel Williams in the channels as much as they could.
Not long after Quinn’s introduction, Tottenham Hotspur took the lead. A fizzed cross from the right hand evaded the Hammers backline and found Gemma Davison at an acute angle on the by-line. The winger squared the ball back across goal to Quinn, who fired into the corner past Mackenzie Arnold.
DURHAM :
League Cup (Quarter Final)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
3 - 0 (Cissoko, Svitkova, Van Egmond)
21 January 2023
Arnold
Redisch (Joel)
Fisk (Cissoko)
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Pacheco (Thomas)
Longhurst
Cho
Van Egmond
Svitkova
Leon (Nor)
West Ham United began the evening on the front foot against the visitors but found clear-cut chances hard to come by. The Hammers looked to play wide where possible with Maz Pacheco and Adriana Leon both looking a threat down the left-hand side, despite their final ball missing the mark. Once more, the high pressing style of the new Women’s manager Olli Harder was evident. Durham struggled to find a way up the pitch and looked content to defend deep and withstand wave after wave of Hammers pressure.
Durham stuck to their task well throughout the first period, frustrating West Ham whilst looking to pick up the pieces on the counter. Lee Sander’s side provided a timely reminder of their threat when Mollie Lambert took aim from the range. The midfielder’s effort was thwarted by Mackenzie Arnold at full stretch.
The pressure finally told on the Durham defence in the 40th minute. A headed clearance from a corner fell to Svitkova on the edge of the box, the midfielder’s half volley dropped to the feet of Van Egmond, who managed to swivel and turn the ball past Hannah Reid to give West Ham a deserved advantage. Having taken the lead moments earlier, the Hammers drove forward again down the left wing. Leon was released courtesy of a lofted pass from Laura Vetterlein. The Canadian international beat the Durham defence for pace before squaring to Svitková to pass into an empty net and send the Hammers into the interval two-goals to the good.
After the break, the victors looked to seize the momentum through half-time substitute Bridget Galloway. A neat passing move found the winger in space and after twisting past Laura Vetterlein, she fashioned a low effort that stung the palms of Arnold.
It was the visitor’s keeper who remained the busier as the half wore on, first Svitkova was denied by Reid from close range before Leon fired the rebound straight at the stopper with the goal gaping. West Ham United continued to try and increase their lead and were rewarded with just five minutes to go, Hawa Cissoko climbed highest to meet a Kate Longhurst corner to increase the lead to three with her first goal in Claret and Blue.
Cissoko’s goal put the cherry on top of a dominant display by West Ham as they sealed their progression in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup.
MANCHESTER CITY
City Football Academy
0 - 4
31 January 2021
Arnold
Redisch
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Pacheco
Joel (Barker)
Longhurst
Van Egmond
Svitkova (Cissoko)
Leon (Nor)
Manchester City took the lead after ten minutes. Lucy Bronze drove forwards from right-back and laid the ball off to Chloe Kelly on the wing, whose delivery – following a fortuitous deflection – reached Caroline Weir, who slotted past Arnold at the back post.
City doubled their lead, Kelly’s cross in from the right was caught between home attacker and visiting defender, and the ball bobbled up invitingly for Georgia Stanway to turn and stab a volley into the roof of the net from close range. Straight after half-time, another curling delivery from Greenwood caused Arnold a moment of consternation as it whipped over her head – but also curled away from her far post. The respite was only temporary. Greenwood’s delivery from the resulting corner went towards the near post – where Ellen White glanced the ball past Arnold. Buoyed on, City added a fourth soon after when substitute Rose Lavelle pounced on a loose ball, drove into the area and curled over Arnold.
CHELSEA : Continental League Cup (Semi-Final)
Kingsmeadow
0 - 6
3 February 2021
Arnold
Redisch
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Pacheco (Barker)
Joel
Svitkova (Thomas)
Longhurst
Van Egmond
Leon
It was a difficult night for West Ham United who lost 6-0 in the semi-final of the FA Women’s Continental League Cup at Kingsmeadow.
The Hammers found themselves 4-0 down after 25 minutes, and never really managed to recover despite a battling display in the second period.
Pernille Harder (3), Sophie Ingle, Bethany England and Fran Kirby were all on target for the Blues, who booked their place in the final, due to take place at Vicarage Road.
BRISTOL CITY
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 1 (Svitkova)
7 February 2021
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Redisch
Svitkova
Longhurst
Pacheco
Leon
Van Egmond
Thomas (Joel)
Kateřina Svitková struck a second half equaliser as West Ham United salvaged a point against Bristol City at a wintry Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium on Sunday. The Hammers were in danger of falling to defeat when the Robins moved in front thanks to Emily van Egmond’s unfortunate early own goal, but the hosts regrouped to claw their way back into the contest.
The visitors twice hit the woodwork as they sought a second goal, but the Hammers held them at bay to earn the share of the spoils which keeps them above the Robins in the Women’s Super League table. The Hammers were punished for a slow start by conceding the opening goal with just seven minutes on the clock.
It was a scrappy moment for the hosts, as a corner was delivered into their box from the left hand side, with the ball ending up in the back of the net via a deflection off the unfortunate Emily van Egmond. The Robins, desperate for the points at the foot of the table, kept their foot on the gas and had shouts for a penalty when Ebony Salmon went down in the box under a challenge from Laura Vetterlein. Referee Sarah Garratt viewed it as a simple coming together and waved play on.
As the snow began to settle on the Victoria Road pitch, Bristol City continued to press and went so close to a second on the half hour when Salmon again burst into the box, this time got her shot away, but watched it roll against the far post and to safety. West Ham were trying to exploit the space in behind City’s high line, but found it tough going in the opening period, with only van Egmond’s header from Adriana Leon’s 20th minute corner troubling away keeper Sophie Baggaley. Olli Harder’s side emerged for the second half knowing they needed to up the tempo and they could not have asked for a better start following the restart, levelling within four minutes. Svitková was alive inside the box to pounce as the visitors struggled to clear their lines, stealing possession and blasting past Baggaley from ten yards.
Buoyed by their leveller, West Ham nearly went in front with 64 minutes on the clock. The visitors’ Yana Daniels was punished for a foul on Svitková 22 yards out, and Vetterlein went for goal from the free-kick, bringing a fingertip save from Baggaley. Back came Bristol City and a free-kick of their own 14 minutes from the end brought the visitors a nearly moment, as Jemma Purfield’s free-kick bounced back off the crossbar with Mackenzie Arnold scrambling across the Hammers’ goal. Salmon’s pace was always a weapon for the visitors, and she wasn’t far away from grabbing the winner a minute from time when she forced Arnold from her goal to challenge for a pass forward. Salmon collected the goalkeeper’s headed clearance in a wide position, but was unable to return the ball on target.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
People's Pension Stadium
0 - 1
10 February 2021
Arnold
Redisch (Leon)
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Pacheco
Joel
Longhurst
Svitkova (Mustafa)
Van Egmond
Thomas
West Ham United were beaten 1-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion in their latest Barclays FA Women’s Super League outing at the People’s Pension Stadium.
The Hammers had no response to Aileen Whelan’s first-half effort on a blisteringly cold night in West Sussex. Laura Vetterlein went the closest for West Ham, driving a free-kick back off the crossbar shortly after falling behind. The loss leaves Olli Harder’s side in 11th place in the WSL table, with just a two-point lead over Bristol City at the foot of the WSL table.
CHELSEA
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 2
7 March 2021
Brosnan
Redisch
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein (Cissoko)
Dali
Longhurst
Svitkova (Pacheco)
Brynjarsdottir
Van Egmond
Thomas
A spirited performance from West Ham United saw them battle to a 0-2 defeat to Chelsea at Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium.
Goals from Sam Kerr and Bethany England secured the victory for the Blues, but the Hammers can take plenty of positives from their performance. The home side started the brighter of the two teams, with Kenza Dali playing a beautiful ball over the top of the Chelsea defence which Martha Thomas latched onto and fired just wide of the mark. However, the away side made the breakthrough despite the early chances from the Hammers. Sam Kerr headed home from close range to put the league leaders ahead on seven minutes.
Chelsea came straight out of the blocks after the break, as Kerr found Bethany England at the back post, and the forward headed beyond Brosnan to double their advantage.
The Hammers regrouped after conceding and continued to go toe-to-toe with their opponents, limiting them to very little in the way of chances.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Chigwell Construction Stadium
2 - 2 (Svitkova, Van Egmond)
17 March 2021
Brosnan
Redisch
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir
Longhurst
Van Egmond
Dali (Pacheco)
Thomas (Cissoko)
West Ham United had to settle for a point as Birmingham City equalised with seconds to play at Victoria Road in the Barclays FA Women's Super League. The Blues took the lead early on through Emily Murphy, but Emily van Egmond scored just after the restart whilst the home side only had 10 players on the field. Katerina Svitkova rifled the ball into the net on 72 minutes, but Ruby Mace tapped home with only seconds to spare to share the spoils.
Olli Harder named an unchanged side from the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last time out, with Anouk Denton coming onto the substitutes bench. The Hammers started the better of the two sides, trying to work an opening for the game's first chance. That opportunity arrived on six minutes as van Egmond headed into the hands of Hannah Hampton.
The dominance was short-lived as a well worked corner from the visitors bounced around in the area, before Murphy found the net from close range to open the scoring on eight minutes. Harder’s side were almost two behind five minutes later, as Ruesha Littlejohn fired a dipping effort over the bar as the Blues grew into the game after going in front.
Kate Longhurst was next to try her luck from distance as she looked to get the east Londoners back into the match, her effort sailing just wide of the left-hand post. Martha Thomas went on a driving run down the right-hand side of the Blues defence, but Hampton was able to palm the cross that was aimed for the head of van Egmond away from danger.
Gilly Flaherty and Claudia Walker clashed heads late into the first half, with a lengthy stoppage whilst both players were treated. Blues captain Christie Murray could have scored Birmingham’s second with only minutes remaining in the first half, but she sliced her shot wide of the mark, as the whistle blew for half-time. In bizarre fashion, Birmingham began the second half with only 10 players as Walker was still receiving treatment. West Ham took full advantage, as van Egmond tapped home a loose ball to bring Harder’s side level.
Laura Vetterlein was the next player to be in the wars, as she collided with the perimeter wall, but thankfully she was able to continue. Thomas continued to look in behind the Birmingham defence and did brilliantly to hold off Mace, before firing a left-footed effort narrowly wide of the post. The forward was played through again moments later, superbly holding off Georgia Brougham before firing into the hands of Hampton.
The Hammers turned the game on its head with 72 minutes gone as good build-up play ended with the ball at the feet of Svitkova, who rifled the ball into the back of the net via the far post. The game looked to be over, but there was still time for Mace to pop up at the back post to tap home an unlikely equaliser for Birmingham to break West Ham hearts and share the spoils in East London.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Old Trafford
0 - 2
27 March 2020
Brosnan
Redisch (Barker)
Fisk
Flaherty
Vetterlein
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir (Cissoko)
Longhurst
Van Egmond
Dali (Mustafa)
Thomas (Pacheco)
The Hammers stood firm in the opening 45 minutes, but second-half goals from Lauren James and Christen Press secured the victory for the Red Devils.
This was the hosts’ first-ever fixture at the Theatre of Dreams, but Olli Harder’s side set out to spoil the celebrations.
The New Zealander named an unchanged side from the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last time out in the Women’s Super League.
The Hammers almost took the lead with only a minute gone in the contest in Manchester. A great cross from Katerina Svitkova was bound for the head of Martha Thomas, but Millie Turner was there to head away for the Red Devils.
The second half got off to the worst possible start for Harder's side, as a corner wasn't properly cleared and Lauren James was on hand to head the home side in front on 49 minutes.
Brynjarsdottir and her team-mates looked for an immediate response and the Icelandic international called Earps into her first save of the second half, as the Manchester United shot-stopper got down well to hold her effort.
The home side grabbed a second with ten minutes played in the second half, Christen Press firing past Brosnan to double her side's advantage.
READING
Madejski Stadium
5 - 0 (Thomas 3, Dali, Svitkova)
3 April 2021
Brosnan
Redisch (Pacheco)
Fisk
Flaherty
Cissoko
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir
Longhurst (Denton)
Van Egmond
Dali
Thomas (Mustafa)
A fantastic five-goal first half secured an emphatic victory for West Ham United over Reading in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on Saturday afternoon.
Martha Thomas scored a superb hat-trick inside the opening 45 minutes, with Kenza Dali and Katerina Svitkova also finding the back of the net to complete the rout and secure a vital first league win for manager Olli Harder.
CHICHESTER & SELSEY :
FA Cup (Fourth Round)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
11 - 0 (Van Egmond 4 [1 pen], Dali, Denton, Flaherty, Longhurst [pen], Mustafa, Redisch, Svitkova)
18 April 2021
Ramsey
Flaherty
Fisk
Cissoko
Barker
Denton
Vetterlein (Arnold)
Pacheco (Redisch)
Van Egmond (Beaufort)
Dali (Longhurst)
Svitkova (Mustafa)
West Ham United were ahead after just two minutes in east London. The visitors failed to clear Katarina Svitkova’s arcing cross that fell to Maz Pacheco to volley goalward. The defender’s strike cannoned off the arm of a Chichester & Selsey defender and the referee duly pointed to the spot.
Emily Van Egmond stepped up and tucked the resulting spot-kick underneath Izzy Foster to give the Hammers an early advantage. Just four minutes later Van Egmond got her second of the afternoon. Despite their best efforts the visitors were failing to cope with the swathes of pressure being applied by the hosts.
The Hammers had a spectacular third inside ten minutes. Kenza Dali picked up the ball deep in midfield and drove at the heart of the Chichester & Selsey defence and fired low into the corner to give Olli Harder’s side a commanding lead. Emily Van Egmond made it four shortly before the 20th minute. The forward completed her hat-trick with a simple finish into an empty net after Maisy Barker had found her with a deep cross to the back post. Van Egmond, however, wasn’t finished and added her fourth and the Irons fifth at the midway point of the first period. The flow of the game wasn’t threatening to change, and the Irons captain Gilly Flaherty got her name on the scoresheet next. A whipped corner from Svitkova evaded the Chichester and Selsey defence and Flaherty was on hand to nod home and make it six. Mere moments before the break, Svitkova turned from provider to goal scorer, adding a seventh for West Ham United Women.
Women’s manager Olli Harder turned to the substitutes bench when the two sides emerged from half-time. Mustafa was quickly in amongst the action and added an eighth as the game approached the hour mark. The Swedish striker was rather fortuitously in the right place at the right time as Amber Howden attempted to hack clear. The swiped clearance flicked off Mustafa’s head and looped over a helpless Foster into the net. Issy Foster in the Chichester goal produced a number of outstanding stops in the east London sunshine, but she was no match for Cecilie Redisch’s stinging strike that made it 9-0.
With a little less than ten minutes left on the clock, the Irons got their tenth. Mustafa was cruelly felled by Howden as she looked to pull the trigger inside the box. Referee Sarah Garrett pointed to the spot for the second time and Kate Longhurst converted. The loudest cheers of the afternoon were reserved for Anouk Denton who got herself in on the act with the eleventh goal at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
ASTON VILLA
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 0
20 April 2021
Brosnan
Redisch
Flaherty
Svitkova (Pacheco)
Longhurst
Dali
Fisk
Cissoko
Van Egmond
Vetterlein (Thomas)
Brynjarsdottir
West Ham United and Aston Villa battled it out for a point each at Victoria Road on Tuesday evening. The Hammers welcomed Marcus Bignot’s side in what was a crucial match in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, as both teams looked to move themselves away from the relegation places. It was a feisty affair in east London, as Vetterlien went into the book for what looked to be a clean challenge. Competitive challenge were flying in from both sides, as the ball exchanged hands in the opening 30 minutes. The game was void of real clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes, as the two teams went into the break level pegging.
After the break, the Hammers had the first real chance. Katerina Svitkova drove into space on the left and almost delivered to Byrnjarsdottir, but it was intercepted. Another golden opportunity arrived moments later, as a fantastic ball was delivered in by Dali, but Brynjarsdottir couldn’t apply the finishing touch. The game seemed to come alive in the second half, as the Hammers were the side that looked the most likely. A long free kick was knocked down into the path of Cecilie Redisch, but her effort was blocked behind for a corner.
The game’s best chance came on 65 minutes, as Katerina Svitkova’s strike was well saved by Villa shot-stopper, Lisa Weiss. After almost opening the scoring, Svitkova had to be withdrawn after picking up an injury. Maz Pacheco replaced the Czech Republic international, who hobbled off the pitch in east London. As the came went into the final stages, it was all West Ham United as they went in search of the winning goal. Flaherty went close once again and her header landed narrowly wide of the mark with eight minutes of normal time to play. Kenza Dali was next to try her luck, but her strike was once again blocked by a resolute Villa defence. The full time whistle sounded, with the Hammers unfortunate to have not grabbed a winner in the final stages.
EVERTON
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 0
25 April 2021
Brosnan
Redisch
Flaherty
Fisk
Cissoko
Pacheco
Longhurst
Dali
Van Egmond
Brynjarsdottir
Thomas
West Ham United fought hard against a tough Everton side to claim a vital point with a 0-0 draw in the Barclays FA Women's Super League. The Hammers had the better of the chances at Victoria Road as Martha Thomas went close on a number of occasions, including heading onto the woodwork in the second half. The point means that West Ham remain in ninth place in the WSL table, two points ahead of bottom side Bristol City.
ARSENAL
Meadow Park
0 - 2
28 April 2021
Arnold
Redisch (Denton)
Pacheco
Flaherty
Longhurst
Dali
Fisk
Cissoko
Van Egmond
Vetterlein (Thomas)
Brynjarsdottir
West Ham United battled superbly in the pouring North London rain, but were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on Wednesday evening. Goals from Vivianne Miedema and Kim Little were the difference at Meadow Park, but the Hammers can be proud of their performance against a top-tier side.
After that initial surge of opportunities for the home team, West Ham settled into their defensive shape, making it difficult for their hosts to break them down. Growing into the occasion, they had attacking flurries of their own thanks in large part to their high press. Cecilie Redisch played a lovely one-two with Emily van Egmond, but her cross couldn’t pick out a team-mate. Unfortunately, the defence was breached on 33 minutes, as Vivianne Miedema cut inside and - with a brilliant effort - found the far corner from range to open the scoring in North London. Just before the break, Kenza Dali let fly from distance, with her shot taking a deflection. From the resulting corner, Dagny Brynjarsdottir flung herself at the ball, but her header landed wide of the mark.
There was another golden chance for the Icelandic international moments later, as Redisch delivered a sumptuous cross onto her head on the six-yard line, but her effort landed agonisingly wide of the far post, with the half-time whistle sounding moments later. The rain continued to pour at Meadow Park as the two teams re-emerged for the second half, with van Egmond having the first shooting opportunity. Her strike from almost 30 yards after some good midfield play flew over the crossbar. Maz Pacheco won the ball high up the field moments later and attempted to play a pinpoint through ball to Brynjarsdottir, but the ball skidded along the surface and ultimately evaded the midfielder.
Arnold was called upon with 60 minutes gone, with the goalkeeper getting down well to spread herself and deny Arsenal forward Beth Mead a goal, which at the time would have been against the run of play. The Hammers continued with the tenacity and desire they had shown throughout the match, displaying superb work ethic, and they continued to look the more likely side to score next.
However, the home side remained a consistent threat on the counterattack, with Grace Fisk positioning herself well to cut out an Arsenal chance on the break. Kim Little found the net moments later though, darting through the defence and slotting the ball past Arnold after the Hammers had mostly dominated the second-half exchanges. Having emerged from the bench in the second half, Thomas then went close, as she combined with fellow substitute Anouk Denton, but her flying header was well saved by Lydia Williams. Unfortunately, the east Londoners couldn't grab a goal which their overall play merited, but had positives to draw when the full-time whistle sounded.
ASTON VILLA
Villa Park
0 - 0
2 May 2021
Arnold
Redisch
Pacheco
Flaherty
Thomas
Longhurst
Dali
Fisk
Cissoko
Van Egmond
Brynjarsdottir (Vetterlein)
West Ham United women were forced to settle for a point against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon following a 0-0 draw at Villa Park. Both sides had golden opportunities to score what would have been the decisive goal in the contest, but clinical finishing was lacking for both teams.
The point does take West Ham up to ninth place in the Barclays FA Women's Super League table as things stand, with safety looking increasingly likely unless other results go against them.
MANCHESTER CITY
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 1
9 May 2021
Arnold
Flaherty
Fisk
Cissoko
Barker (Kiernan)
Denton
Longhurst
Pacheco
Vetterlein (Mustafa)
Barker
Dali
West Ham United Women were narrowly defeated 1-0 at Victoria Road on Sunday afternoon, as a solitary goal from Ellen White gave Manchester City all three points on the final day of the season.
Mackenzie Arnold was in superb form, saving two penalty kicks in each half as the Hammers battled against City, who finished 2nd in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.
MANCHESTER CITY : FA Cup (Fifth Round)
City Football Academy
1 - 5 (Denton)
16 May 2021
Arnold
Cissoko
Flaherty
Fisk
Vetterlein
Pacheco
Van Egmond
Denton
Longhurst
Brynjarsdottir (Kiernan 46, Barker 82)
Dali (Mustafa)
West Ham United impressed once again on the final day of the 2020/21 season, but couldn't stop Manchester City running out 5-1 winners at the Academy Stadium.
Ellen White opened the scoring for the home side, but Anouk Denton pulled the Hammers back level only a minute later.
Janine Beckie then put the Citizens back in front before the break - but the east Londoners responded, striking the woodwork on three occasions.
Rose Lavelle extended City's advantage before goals from Sam Mewis and Lauren Hemp in injury time put the home side out of sight.
FA Continential League Cup
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the start of the 2020–21 season was delayed, forcing many leagues and competitions to shorten their format. To reduce the total number of games, the previous format of four groups of six (with one being reduced in size by one to suit the total of 23 teams) has been altered to six groups of four (with one short again), reducing the number of group stage games from five each to three each. With six group winners now, only the two best second place teams will qualify for the knockout round
*Charlton v Brighton match originally postponed following positive COVID-19 test by Brighton staff. An independent tribunal determined the fixture would not be rescheduled as it would have no effect on qualifying.