WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decades
A Pictorial History
2021-22 Women's Super League
Manager: Olli Harder
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Amex Stadium
0 - 2
5 September 2021
Arnold
Wyne
Flaherty
Cissoko
Fisk (Parker)
Evans
Stringer
Filis (Longhurst)
Hasegawa
Leon
Walker
West Ham United opened their Barclays FA WSL campaign with a bruising 2–0 defeat at Brighton, undone by a red card, a penalty and a cruel deflection on a frustrating afternoon at the Amex.
The turning point came midway through the first half. Hawa Cissoko, covering on the line, was judged to have handled Kaagman’s goalbound shot and dismissed, with the Dutch midfielder burying the penalty. Minutes later Brighton doubled their lead when a long-range effort ricocheted off Grace Fisk and dropped kindly for Guenmin Lee to finish from close range.
It was harsh on a West Ham side who had begun to grow into the contest. Adriana Leon repeatedly stretched Brighton on the break, twice threatening before rattling the upright with a fierce strike from distance. Mel Filis and Gilly Flaherty also went close, but the dismissal shifted the momentum entirely.
Despite the setback, the Hammers fought with real purpose after the interval. A tactical tweak pushed two up front, and Claudia Walker twice came within inches of halving the deficit. Lisa Evans also curled narrowly wide as West Ham pressed with admirable intent, forcing Brighton to defend deep and in numbers.
But the breakthrough never came. The east Londoners huffed, harried and kept the tempo high, yet Brighton held firm to claim all three points and leave West Ham ruing a day when the big moments fell the wrong way.
ASTON VILLA
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 -1 (Leon 8')
11 September 2021
Arnold
Wyne
Stringer
Flaherty
Evans
Walker (Joel)
Longhurst
Parker
Filis
Leon
Brynjarsdottir
LEICESTER CITY
Chigwell Construction Stadium
4 - 0 (Yallop 26', 81', Walker 38', Plumptre 45' [og])
26 September 2021
Arnold
Parker
Cissoko
Flaherty
Stringer (Wyne)
Longhurst (Svitkova)
Brynjarsdottir
Yallop (Filis)
Leon (Joel)
Hasegawa (Cains)
Walker
West Ham United claimed their first win of the 2021/22 WSL season in style, sweeping aside Leicester City 4–0 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium with a performance full of tempo, control and sharp finishing.
Tameka Yallop marked her debut with the opener, capping a dominant start in which Adriana Leon, Dagny Brynjarsdóttir and Kate Longhurst all carved out chances. The breakthrough arrived after sustained pressure: Longhurst burst through and squared for Yallop, who tucked home confidently. Claudia Walker then pounced in the box to double the lead, before Leon’s dangerous cross forced Ashleigh Plumptre into an own goal just before the interval.
Leicester reshuffled at half-time but Harder’s side stayed firmly in command. Brynjarsdóttir missed a golden chance early in the second half, and Walker went close to her second, but the Hammers’ grip never loosened. The Foxes mustered only one clear opening, Esme De Graaf firing narrowly wide, before West Ham sealed the rout.
Yallop rose highest to head in a superb Yui Hasegawa delivery, completing both her brace and a convincing first victory of the campaign. It was a polished, assertive display from West Ham — their first win of the season, and one that felt richly deserved.
MANCHESTER CITY
City Football Academy
2 - 0 (Brynjarsdottir 40’, Hasagawa 90+4')
3 October 2021
Arnold
Longhurst
Cissoko
Flaherty
Wyne
Stringer (Filis)
Brynjarsdottir
Yallop
Svitkova (Parker)
Hasegawa
Walker (Leon)
West Ham United produced a superb, disciplined performance to claim a landmark 2–0 win over Manchester City at the Academy Stadium, sealed by Dagny Brynjarsdóttir’s first‑half header and a stunning stoppage‑time lob from Yui Hasegawa.
City dominated the early possession, with Lauren Hemp the main threat, but West Ham’s organisation and counter‑attacking intent steadily took hold. Mackenzie Arnold set the tone with sharp saves from Hemp, Jess Park and Caroline Weir, while Brynjarsdóttir and Claudia Walker combined for the Hammers’ first big opening.
As frustration grew for the hosts, West Ham struck. Hasegawa found space on the right and delivered a precise cross to Brynjarsdóttir, who guided her header past Taieb to give the Irons a deserved lead. City pushed back before the break, but Arnold’s inspired form ensured Harder’s side held firm.
The second half followed the same pattern: City probing, West Ham threatening on the break. Yallop missed a golden chance to double the advantage, and City briefly thought they’d levelled through Ellen White, only for the offside flag to cut celebrations short. Hemp hit the post, Coombs struck the woodwork, and still West Ham refused to yield.
Deep into added time, Hasegawa delivered the moment of the match. Pinching possession from Demi Stokes, she lifted an audacious 30‑yard lob over Taieb to seal a historic victory - West Ham’s first ever WSL win over Manchester City and their second straight triumph under Harder, lifting them to fourth in the table.
Manchester City:
Taieb (GK), Beckie, Scott, Greenwood, Stokes, Walsh (Coombs), Angeldahl (Stanway), Weir, Park, Hemp, White (Shaw)
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 1 (Walker 54')
10 October 2021
Arnold
Wyne
Flaherty
Cissoko
Longhurst
Leon
Svitkova
Yallop (Stringer)
Hasegawa
Brynjarsdottir
Walker (Filis)
West Ham United were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City, a result that felt flat after the Hammers controlled long stretches of the contest and carved out the better chances.
Claudia Walker lit up the second half with a brilliant solo goal, gliding past two defenders before lifting a deft finish over Hourihan from distance. It was a moment of pure quality that finally broke a cagey first period in which West Ham dominated possession but couldn’t quite find the decisive touch. Leon, Yallop and Brynjarsdóttir all threatened, yet the breakthrough refused to come before the interval.
After Walker’s strike, West Ham looked poised to push on. Yallop was denied by a superb near‑post save, and Quinn almost turned into her own net as the pressure mounted. But Birmingham grew bolder after falling behind, and the Hammers’ failure to clear a corner proved costly: Quinn stabbed home from close range with 67 minutes gone.
The hosts rallied again in the closing stages. Yallop headed narrowly over, Flaherty saw a stoppage‑time effort cleared off the line, and Svitková arrived at the back post with a final chance but couldn’t apply the touch that would have sealed the win. In the end, West Ham’s dominance brought only a point — a frustrating outcome after a performance that merited more.
Birmingham City:
Hourihan, Scott, Louise Quinn, Robertson, Pennock, Finn, Lucy Quinn, Whipp (Sarri), Whelan (Ryan-Doyle), Holloway, Lawley.
LONDON CITY LIONESSES :
Continental League Cup (Group E)
Princes Park
1 - 0 (Parker 15')
13 October 2021
Leat
Wyne
Flaherty
Cissoko
Parker (Longhurst)
Joel (Evans)
Stringer
Filis
Yallop (Brynjarsdottir)
Hasegawa
Svitkova (Leon)
West Ham United stretched their unbeaten run to five matches with a controlled, professional 1–0 win over London City Lionesses in their opening Conti Cup group game, sealed by Lucy Parker’s alert finish after a saved free‑kick.
With five changes to the side that drew with Birmingham, the Hammers started sharply. Lois Joel’s early cross flashed just wide, and Hasegawa’s teasing free‑kick caused panic before Parker reacted quickest to turn home from close range after Svitková’s touch forced a save. Filis struck the post soon after, while London City rallied without ever truly troubling debutant Anna Leat before the break.
The second half became a tight, transitional battle, both sides looking to counter rather than dominate possession. Leat made two composed stops to preserve the lead, and Yallop headed narrowly wide from another clever Hasegawa delivery. West Ham’s back line remained resolute, absorbing late pressure and seeing out the contest with assurance. A single goal proved enough in Kent, extending the Hammers’ unbeaten run and opening their Conti Cup campaign in confident fashion.
London City Lionesses:
Yanez, Girasoli (Pursey), Rodgers, Jarrett (Rossiter), Napier, Rouse, Bennett, Muya, Fronc (Fitzgerald), Primus, Nunn.
ARSENAL
Meadow Park
0 - 4
7 November 2021
Arnold
Wyne (Parker)
Cissoko (Fisk)
Flaherty
Longhurst (Joel)
Svitkova
Stringer
Yallop
Brynjarsdottir (Filis)
Hasegawa
Aalker (Garrad)
West Ham United fell to a ruthless Arsenal side at Meadow Park, losing 4–0 despite a spirited start and long spells of disciplined defending against the league leaders.
The Hammers carved out the game’s first opening when Walker stabbed wide early on, and Zinsberger was almost embarrassed by a long‑range effort soon after. For a quarter of an hour West Ham kept Arsenal at arm’s length, countering sharply and enjoying pockets of possession in the bitter North London cold. But once the Gunners found their rhythm, the pressure became relentless. Parris went close, a deflected effort struck the post, Arnold denied Foord twice, and Mead somehow failed to convert at the back post.
Arsenal’s breakthrough arrived five minutes before the interval, Kim Little finishing despite suspicions of offside. After the restart, Brynjarsdóttir headed over, but Arsenal’s clinical edge told. Little punished a defensive mistake with a venomous second, Arnold tipped a Mead strike onto the bar with a superb save, only for Mead to hammer home moments later to make it three.
Hasegawa’s late effort was blocked, and Arsenal added a fourth when Grace Fisk, freshly returned from injury, sliced the ball into her own net under pressure. With the damage done, West Ham turned their focus to next weekend’s meeting with Reading, seeking a swift response after a bruising evening against the league’s frontrunners.
Arsenal:
Zinsberger, Maritz, Williamson (Boye), Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Maanum, Little (Walti), Iwabuchi (Nobbs), Parris (Catley), Foord (Miedema), Mead.
READING
Chigwell Construction Stadium
2 - 2 (Evans 20', Fisk 35')
14 November 2021
Arnold
Flaherty
Cissoko
Fisk
Svitkova
Stringer (Filis)
Yallop
Hasegawa
Longhurst (Wyne)
Evans (Brynjarsdottir)
Walker
West Ham United let a two‑West Ham United let a two‑goal lead slip on a cold afternoon in east London, drawing 2–2 with Reading after a dominant display that deserved far more than a single point.
Lisa Evans set the tone early, heading at Moloney before guiding home Svitková’s superb cross on 20 minutes for her first Hammers goal. West Ham were relentless, Walker denied one‑on‑one, Svitková almost scoring unwittingly, and Grace Fisk then nodding in from close range after Flaherty’s pinpoint delivery to make it 2–0. At half‑time, Harder’s side were cruising.
The pattern continued after the break: Svitková’s effort headed off the line, Walker smashing the bar, Yallop’s acrobatic follow‑up cleared. But the failure to kill the game proved costly. Reading pulled one back through Justine Vanhaevermaet’s close‑range header, shifting the momentum and injecting tension into the final stages.
West Ham still carved out chances — Yallop flashing a header wide after fine work from Hasegawa — yet the decisive third never came. Deep into six added minutes, the Royals forced one last scramble. Emma Harries stabbed goalward, and despite Arnold’s protests, the officials ruled the ball had crossed the line.
A match the Hammers controlled for long stretches ended in frustration, their missed chances haunting them as Reading snatched a point at the death.
Reading:
Moloney, Bryson, Pelow, Evans, Rose, Eikeland, Dowie, Harding, Chaplen, Vanheavermaet, Woodham (Harries).
BIRMINGHAM CITY : Continental League Cup (Group E)
St Andrew's
4 - 0 (Quinn 38' [og], Walker 41', Parker 73', Svitkova 77')
17 November 2021
Leat
Flaherty (Garrad)
Parker
Fisk
Wyne
Yallop (Stringer)
Joel
Hasegawa (Svitkova)
Filis
Brynjarsdottir
Walker (Cissoko)
West Ham United all but sealed their place in the Conti Cup knockouts with a commanding 4–0 win over Birmingham City, a performance built on control, sharp movement and a ruthless second‑half surge at St Andrew’s.
Harder’s rotated side dominated from the outset, with Walker twice going close before forcing the opener - her driven cross turned into the net by Blues captain Louise Quinn. Three minutes later she had one of her own, spinning smartly onto Wyne’s pass and firing beyond Hourihan to give the Hammers a deserved two‑goal cushion at the break.
Birmingham briefly flickered after the restart, Robertson shooting over, but West Ham quickly reasserted themselves. Parker smashed in her second Conti Cup goal in as many games with 73 minutes gone, and Svitková added a fourth soon after with a powerful finish to complete a polished, one‑sided display.
With four goals, total control and another clean sheet, West Ham marched out of Birmingham with a victory that leaves their knockout qualification all but assured.
Birmingham City:
Hourihan, Sandvej (Smith), Lawley (Scott) , Quinn, Holloway, Finn, Robertson, Murray (Whipp), Quinn, Pennock (Whelan), Ewens (Sarri).
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 0 (Brynjarsdottir 69'
21 November 2021
Arnold
Flaherty
Cissoko
Fisk
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir
Yallop
Hasegawa
Longhurst
Evans (Filis)
Walker (Stringer)
West Ham United claimed their first ever league win over Tottenham Hotspur with a gritty, disciplined 1–0 victory at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, settled by Dagný Brynjarsdóttir’s composed second‑half finish.
In a tight, scrappy contest, chances were scarce and rhythm hard to find. Spurs threatened first through Kyah Simon, while West Ham’s best early moments came via Brynjarsdóttir’s press and Hasegawa’s long‑range effort. Lisa Evans was denied by Korpela after 20 minutes, and the match paused for several minutes following Kit Graham’s unfortunate injury.
The pattern continued after the break: both sides battling for control, neither carving out clear openings. Neville flashed a shot wide, Yallop responded with a crisp volley inches past the post, and finally the breakthrough arrived. A loose ball fell kindly for Brynjarsdóttir, who swept her finish beyond Korpela to ignite the home crowd.
Svitková almost added a spectacular second, while Spurs briefly thought they’d levelled through Ubogagu, only for the offside flag to intervene. West Ham saw out the final minutes with real tenacity, securing a landmark WSL win over their rivals and extending their unbeaten home run in the process.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Korpela, Bartrip, Harrop, Cho (Addison), Williams, Percival, Ale, Graham (Ubogagu), (Naz), Simon (Ayane), Clemaron, Neville.
EVERTON
WALTON hall Park
1 - 1 (Wyne)
12 December 2021
Arnold
Flaherty
Cissoko
Fisk
Svitkova
Stringer (Filis)
Wyne (Longhurst)
Brynjarsdottir
Yallop
Hasegawa
Evans (Walker)
West Ham United Women were made to take a single point from Walton Hall Park after Toni Duggan’s late strike cancelled out Zaneta Wyne’s first‑half opener.
The Hammers, reshuffled with Wyne and Abbey‑Leigh Stringer restored to the XI, started the brighter. Early half‑chances came and went for Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Tameka Yallop, while Everton briefly threatened through Danielle Turner. The breakthrough arrived just before the interval: Katerina Svitková burst into the box and squared for Wyne, who swept home her first goal in Claret and Blue.
West Ham pushed for a second after the restart, Lisa Evans forcing Sandy MacIver into action, but Everton grew into the half. Lucy Graham headed over from a corner, a warning that went unheeded. With fifteen minutes left, Duggan drifted into space and coolly slotted past Mackenzie Arnold to level the contest.
Everton chased a winner, but wasteful finishing and solid West Ham defending ensured the score stayed locked, leaving Olli Harder’s side with a point that felt like it should have been more.
Everton:
MacIver, Turner (Pattinson), Sevecke, George, Bjorn, Dali, Christiansen, Duggen, Magill, Graham (Anvegard), Galli (Bennison).
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION :
Continental League Cup (Group E)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
3 - 0 (Filis, Longhurst, Svitkova)
15 December 2021
Leat
Fisk
Cissoko
Fisk
Parker
Stringer
Joel
Longhurst
Yallop
Hasegawa
Walker
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The Hive Stadium
1 - 1 (Longhurst)
16 January 2022
Leat
Fisk
Cissoko
Flaherty
Longhurst
Stringer (Wyne)
Snearle (Parker)
Brynjarsdottir
Svitkova
Evans
Walker (Filis)
Kate Longhurst’s looping header deep into stoppage time rescued a 1–1 draw for West Ham United, capping a breathless London derby at The Hive. Spurs looked set for victory after Rosella Ayane’s 54th‑minute penalty, and Hawa Cissoko’s red card moments later left the Irons staring at defeat. But West Ham refused to fold, and Longhurst – lifelong Hammer, derby warrior – rose to meet a late cross and thundered in the equaliser.
Tottenham had the early edge, forcing sharp interventions from Grace Fisk, Gilly Flaherty and debutant goalkeeper Anna Leat. West Ham grew steadily into the contest, with Longhurst, Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Katerina Svitková combining well, and Brynjarsdottir twice threatening before Fisk fired over from close range on the stroke of half‑time.
The second half flipped in an instant: Cissoko penalised for a challenge on Ria Percival, Ayane converting from the spot, then the French defender dismissed for a second yellow. Even with ten players, West Ham kept swinging, Leat producing a superb save from Jiali Tang to keep them alive.
Their persistence paid off at the death. A final delivery arced into the box, and Longhurst – all heart, all timing – steered her header home, celebrating with the raw emotion of someone who knows exactly what a late equaliser in a derby means.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Spencer; Bartrip, Harrop, Zadorsky, Percival, Neville, Naz (Addison), Clemaron (Williams), Ayane (Ubogagu), Tang, Green
CHELSEA :
Continental League Cup
(Quarter Final)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
2 - 4 (Houssein, Svitkova)
19 January 2022
Leat
Fisk
Parker
Flaherty
Longhurst (Joel)
Stringer
Wyne (Houssein)
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir (Snerle)
Filis
Walker (Evans)
West Ham United exited the Continental League Cup with a spirited showing against holders Chelsea, the 4–2 scoreline masking how fiercely Olli Harder’s side went toe‑to‑toe in a superb first half. Pernille Harder struck on the counter, but Kateřina Svitková answered with a stunning curling finish to send the Hammers in level and fully deserving of it.
West Ham’s energy unsettled Chelsea early, Claudia Walker battling brilliantly up front, Dagny Brynjarsdottir imposing herself aerially, and Svitková’s set‑pieces repeatedly causing panic. Brynjarsdottir was denied by a brilliant Ann‑Katrin Berger save, but Svitková soon delivered the equaliser with a wicked strike into the far corner.
Chelsea still flashed their quality - Jonna Andersson clipping the post - yet West Ham emerged from the break with intent, Walker again troubling the Blues’ back line. But the contest flipped brutally as Chelsea found top gear: Erin Cuthbert’s looping header restored their lead, Harder pounced on a rebound for her second, and then completed her hat‑trick with a deft header as the holders pulled clear.
Even then, West Ham found a moment to savour. Seventeen‑year‑old Halle Houssein, on for her debut, won the ball high up the pitch and, with her second touch in senior football, swept home Lisa Evans’ cross before racing away in delight. It was a bright spark on a night where Chelsea’s ruthlessness proved decisive. The Irons’ run ended here, but their resilience, intensity and emerging young talent offered a clear message: their day is coming, and coming soon.
Chelsea:
Berger; Carter, Bright, Nouwen (Reiten), Cuthbert, Ingle, Charles, Andersson (Abdullina), Fleming (Spence), Kirby (England), Harder
EVERTON
Chigwell Construction Stadium
3 - 0 (Brynjarsdottir, Skitkova, Walker)
23 January 2022
Leat
Fisk
Parker
Flaherty
Longhurst (Joel)
Stringer (Houssein)
Wyne (Snerle)
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir
Evans (Filis)
Walker
West Ham United Women claimed their first win of the year in style, sweeping aside Everton 3–0 at Victoria Road through goals from Kateřina Svitková, Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Claudia Walker. The scoreline looked emphatic, but the opening half-hour belonged to Everton, who twice struck the crossbar and forced Anna Leat into a superb fingertip save. West Ham, though, made the decisive moment count: Svitková started and finished a slick move, racing onto Lisa Evans’ pull‑back to fire home before the break.
The Hammers emerged sharper in the second half, Walker having an early effort ruled out before Brynjarsdóttir doubled the lead. Svitková released Evans down the flank, and when the winger was halted inside the box, Brynjarsdóttir reacted quickest to scoop in a scruffy but vital second. Everton nearly hit back through Rikke Sevecke, but her close‑range miss proved their last real opening as West Ham took control.
The game drifted towards a comfortable conclusion, and the final flourish arrived five minutes from time. Evans pounced on a loose clearance, surged down the left and rolled a perfect ball across goal for Walker, who swept home a neat finish to seal a deserved, composed victory. The win lifts the Hammers to seventh - and within striking distance of the league’s upper reaches.
Everton:
MacIver, Turner, Sevecke, George, Pattinson (Duggan), Christiansen, Galli (Finnigan), Anvegård (Björn), Bennison (Emslie), Dali, Gauvin (Clinton)
CHELSEA
Kingsmeadow
0 - 2
26 January 2022
Leat
Fisk
Parker
Cissoko
Longhurst
Wyne
Svitkova
Snerle
Filis (Stringer)
Evans
Walker
West Ham United Women slipped to a narrow 2–0 defeat against champions Chelsea, a scoreline that belied a disciplined, competitive first‑half display at Kingsmeadow. Olli Harder’s reshuffled side - Mel Filis, Emma Snerle and Hawa Cissoko all starting - weathered Chelsea’s early pressure and carved out chances of their own. Anna Leat denied Pernille Harder smartly, Claudia Walker forced Ann‑Katrin Berger to race from her line, and Kateřina Svitková’s fierce free‑kick had the home crowd holding its breath. The Hammers went in level and deserved it.
Chelsea’s breakthrough came seconds into the second half. Beth England, introduced at the interval, followed in after Leat had saved from Erin Cuthbert, nudging the champions ahead. West Ham fought to stay in it — Cissoko blocking England, Grace Fisk rescuing the Irons after a loose touch - but Chelsea’s pressure mounted. With eight minutes left, Cuthbert’s deflected strike skidded into the bottom corner, sealing the result.
Harder’s side left with no points but plenty of credit: organised, brave, and competitive for long stretches against the league’s most ruthless operators.
Chelsea:
Berger, Nouwen, Bright, Ingle, Reiten (England), Kirby (Abdullina), Fleming (Carter), Charles, Cuthbert, Harder (Spence), Andersson.
SHEFFIELD UNITED :
FA Cup (Fourth Round)
Bramall Lane
4 - 1 (Walker 2, Filis, Brynjarsdottir)
30 January 2022
Leat
Flaherty
Fisk
Parker (Longhurst)
Svitkova (Evans)
Joel (Evans)
Stringer
Houssein (Brynjarsdottir)
Filis (Cairns)
Snerle (Wyne)
Walker
West Ham United marched into the FA Cup fifth round with a commanding 4–1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, delivered despite manager Olli Harder’s absence through Covid. Mel Filis struck inside four minutes, only for Bex Rayner to hit back immediately on the counter. The Blades threatened again, but Claudia Walker steadied West Ham with a poacher’s finish midway through the half.
Sheffield United continued to push, Courtney Sweetman‑Kirk twice going close, yet West Ham’s growing control told after the break. Walker added her second, tapping in Lois Joel’s whipped cross, before Dagny Brynjarsdóttir came off the bench and promptly powered home a header from Lisa Evans’ delivery to seal the tie.
Svitková, Joel and Evans drove the Hammers forward throughout, and as the hosts tired, West Ham’s quality and composure shone through. A professional, assertive performance - and a deserved place in the fifth‑round draw.
Sheffield United:
Kitching, Robert, Lipka, Sweetman-Kirk (Wilcock), Cusack, Watson (Clarke), Paul, Rayner, Rolandsen (Docherty), Bradey-Auckland, Walters (Lord-Mears).
ASTON VILLA
Bank's Stadium
2 - 1 (Stringer, Svitkova)
6 February 2022
Arnold
Flaherty
Fisk
Parker
Svitkova
Longhurst
Stringer
Brynjarsdottir
Snerle (Wyne)
Evans (Filis)
Walker
West Ham United Women earned a hard‑fought 2–1 win at Aston Villa, built on sharp starts to both halves and a resolute defensive display. Abbey‑Leigh Stringer bundled in her first goal for the Club after a Svitková corner caused chaos, only for former Hammer Alisha Lehmann to level from the spot on the stroke of half‑time.
The Irons came out flying again after the break. Villa were caught overplaying at the back, and Kateřina Svitková pounced, dispossessing Anna Patten before slipping the ball through Hannah Hampton’s legs to restore the lead. From there, Mackenzie Arnold - back from international duty - took centre stage, producing strong saves from Ramona Petzelberger, Remi Allen and Lehmann as Villa pushed late on.
Harder, returning to the dugout, saw his side blend grit with opportunism: early pressure rewarded, a second‑half surge converted, and a goalkeeper in commanding form ensuring the points travelled back to east London.
Aston Villa:
Hampton, Mayling, Patten, Asante, Pacheco, Littlejohn (Blindkilde), Scott, Allen, Lehmann, Gielnik (Boye-Hlorkah), Petzelberger
LEICESTER CITY
Pirelli Stadium
0 - 3
13 February 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Cissoko (Joel)
Flaherty
Svitkova
Wyne (Houssein)
Brynjarsdottir
Filis (Snerle)
Longhurst
Hasegawa
Walker (Yallop)
West Ham United suffered a frustrating 3–0 defeat at Leicester City, undone by two early blows and a third just after the restart. The worst possible start arrived inside two minutes when Mackenzie Arnold’s clearance ricocheted off Natasha Flint and looped into the net. Seven minutes later, Jemma Purfield’s free‑kick found Ashleigh Plumptre, who headed in Leicester’s second.
The Hammers steadied themselves and pushed back, Yui Hasegawa curling narrowly wide and Kateřina Svitková twice threatening, but the damage was already heavy. Two half‑time changes aimed to spark a response, yet Leicester struck again when Shannon O’Brien burst clear and squared for Freya Gregory to tap in at the far post.
West Ham kept searching - Svitková forcing Demi Lambourne into two saves - while Grace Fisk produced a superb recovery tackle to deny Charlie Devlin a fourth. Clear chances remained scarce, and the Irons left the Pirelli Stadium with only their fourth league defeat of the season, a match defined by a brutal opening ten minutes they could never quite escape.
Leicester City:
Lambourne; Howard, McManus, Plumptre, De Graaf (Morgan); Tierney, Pike (Boddy), Purfield, O’Brien, Flint; Gregory (Devlin)
READING : FA Cup (Fifth Round)
Select Car Leasing Stadium
1 - 0 (Brynjarsdottir) aet
27 February 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Parker
Flaherty
Longhurst (Wyne)
Svitkova (Joel)
Stringer (Brynjarsdottir)
Yallop
Hasegawa
Snerle (Walker)
Evans (Leon)
West Ham United Women battled their way into the FA Cup quarter‑finals with a hard‑earned 1–0 win over Reading, Dagny Brynjarsdóttir striking deep into extra‑time to settle a gruelling tie at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Chances came at both ends across the 90 minutes: Gemma Evans hit the post, Deanne Rose twice went close, while Kateřina Svitková and Yui Hasegawa forced saves as the Hammers grew into the contest.
Olli Harder rotated heavily after the Leicester defeat, and his reshaped side had to withstand long spells of Reading pressure. Mackenzie Arnold kept West Ham level with sharp stops from Rose, a fierce free‑kick, and a late scramble before the interval. After the break, Natasha Dowie and Rose continued to threaten, but West Ham carved openings of their own - Claudia Walker firing over, Svitková hitting the side‑netting, and Hasegawa drawing a strong save from Rhiannon Stewart.
Reading:
Stewart, Bryson, Evans, Rose (Vanhaevermaet), Eikeland (Primmer), Dowie, Harding, Harries (Rowe, Cooper, Woodham, Troelsgaard.
CHELSEA
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 4 (Brynjarsdottir)
10 March 2022
Arnold
Cissoko
Flaherty
Parker
Wyne (Evans)
Longhurst
Yallop (Filis)
Brynjarsdottir
Svitkova (Joel)
Hasegawa
Walker (Leon)
West Ham United Women’s unbeaten home league run was snapped by a clinical Chelsea, who left the Chigwell Construction Stadium with a 4–1 win. Pernille Harder struck twice, Niamh Charles added a deflected effort, and the champions were three up before the interval. Dagný Brynjarsdóttir briefly revived hope with a sharp volley early in the second half, but Sam Kerr’s close‑range finish ended any chance of a comeback.
Olli Harder made four changes from the Reading win, but his side were under pressure immediately - Harder heading against the bar before pouncing on a loose Lucy Parker pass to open the scoring. Charles’ deflected strike and Harder’s glancing header followed in quick succession as Chelsea punished every mistake.
West Ham rallied after the break. Kate Longhurst picked out Brynjarsdóttir, who lashed home, and Kateřina Svitková twice went close as the Irons found renewed energy. Yet Kerr’s goal on 63 minutes, bundled in after a scramble, restored Chelsea’s grip and drained the contest of jeopardy.
Lois Joel forced two late saves, but the Blues’ superiority told throughout. A bruising night, and the first home league defeat of the season for the Hammers.
Chelsea:
Musovic, Nouwen, Bright, Ingle, Carter. England (Spence), Ji (Reiten), Kerr, Charles, Harder (James), Andersson (Abdullina).
BIRMINGHAM CITY
St Andrew's
1 - 0 (Leon)
13 March 2022
Leat
Flaherty
Cissoko (Joel)
Parker
Svitkova
Longhurst
Brynjarsdottir
Stringer (Filis)
Snerle (Hasegawa)
Leon (Yallop)
Walker (Evans)
West Ham United Women moved up to sixth in the WSL with a gritty 1–0 win at Birmingham City, sealed by Adriana Leon’s sharp finish just before half‑time - her first goal since returning from long‑term injury. In a cagey, hard‑pressed contest at St Andrew’s, the Hammers had to work for every inch, but one moment of quality proved enough: Kateřina Svitková’s superb corner delivery met Leon perfectly, and the Canadian made no mistake.
Olli Harder made four changes after the Chelsea defeat, and his reshaped side were tested early. Anna Leat denied Lucy Quinn from close range, while West Ham’s best early openings came from Kate Longhurst’s balls in behind for Emma Snerle and Leon. Birmingham pressed aggressively, forcing turnovers and keeping the game tight, but West Ham’s set‑piece threat remained their clearest route forward.
After the breakthrough, the second half settled into a tense, scrappy rhythm. Chances were scarce, though Svitková nearly found Claudia Walker with a teasing cross, and Tameka Yallop forced Marie Hourihan into a strong save. At the other end, Hawa Cissoko produced two vital interventions - first cutting out a dangerous cross, then recovering brilliantly to deny Christie Murray.
In an end‑to‑end finish, West Ham’s organisation and resolve held firm. Leon’s goal stood as the difference, and the Hammers left with a deserved three points and a climb into the league’s top six.
Birmingham City:
Hourihan, Scott, Quinn, Sarri, Robertson, Murray, Smith (Ryan-Doyle), Finn, Quinn (Whelan), Holloway, Lawley.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 1 (Fisk)
16 March 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Cissoko
Flaherty
Svitkova
Longhurst
Brynjarsdottir
Stringer (Evans)
Yallop
Hasegawa
Leon (Parker)
West Ham United Women snatched a dramatic 90th‑minute equaliser to draw 1–1 with third‑placed Manchester United, Grace Fisk rising to flick home a corner and secure a point that also took the Hammers to a club‑record 24 WSL points.
Olli Harder rotated heavily for a third match in six days, restoring Mackenzie Arnold, Fisk, Tameka Yallop and Yui Hasegawa to the XI. In treacherous conditions, chances were scarce and scrappy. Yallop forced Mary Earps into an early save, while Arnold twice kept West Ham level - tipping away efforts from Katie Zelem and Jackie Groenen - as United enjoyed the cleaner openings.
The second half began with Arnold denying Alessia Russo, but United eventually broke through when a loose clearance dropped for Ella Toone, whose acrobatic strike found the net via a deflection. West Ham responded with purpose: Yallop twice went close, Longhurst made a superb defensive touch to thwart Russo, and Svitková headed inches wide in stoppage time.
But the final act belonged to Fisk. Deep into added time, she met a late corner with perfect timing, steering her header inside the far post to spark jubilation and seal a deserved point for a resilient, relentless West Ham side.
Manchester United:
Earps, Blundell, Toone, Boe Risa (Moore), Thomas (Hanson), Zelem, Galton, Groenen, Caldwell, Batlle, Russo (Fuso).
IPSWICH TOWN : FA Cup (Quarter Final)
Goldstar Ground
1 - 0 (Evans)
20 March 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Parker
Cissoko (Flaherty)
Wyne
Joel (Hasegawa)
Houssein (Yallop)
Stringer
Filis (Brynjarsdottir)
Evans (Longhurst)
Walker
West Ham United Women reached the FA Cup semi‑finals with a composed 1–0 win over Ipswich Town, Lisa Evans’ first‑half finish proving enough in a stubborn, scrappy tie at the Goldstar Ground. On a heavy surface, the Hammers dominated possession but struggled for incision, repeatedly forced into long‑range efforts as Ipswich sat deep and defended bravely.
Olli Harder rotated heavily after the Manchester United draw, and his refreshed side started on the front foot. Claudia Walker fired wide, Halle Houssein twice tried her luck from distance, and Lucy Parker headed against the post from a corner. The breakthrough finally arrived on 32 minutes: Mel Filis slipped Evans in behind, and the winger drilled past Sarah Quantrill with calm precision.
Ipswich stayed in the fight after the break, testing West Ham’s back line without ever truly breaking through. Walker forced another save, Brynjarsdóttir headed over late on, and the Hammers controlled the closing stages without finding a second.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it was assured. Evans’ strike stood as the difference, and West Ham booked their place in the semi‑finals for only the second time in their history - another resilient step in a growing cup run.
Ipswich Town:
Quantrill, Hughes, Peake, Smith, Lafayette, Grey (Egan), Horwood (Flores), Robertson (King), O’Brien, Barratt (Biggs), Thomas (Brasero-Carreira)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 2
27 March 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Cissoko
Stringer (Parker)
Hasegawa
Yallop (Houssein)
Longhurst (Evans)
Svitkova
Brynjarsdottir (Filis)
Leon
West Ham United Women slipped to only their second home defeat of the season as Brighton & Hove Albion claimed a 2–0 win, Aileen Whelan’s early strike and Inessa Kaagman’s late tap‑in bookending a frustrating afternoon in east London. The Hammers were punished inside two minutes when Whelan found space on the edge of the box and curled beyond Mackenzie Arnold, and Brighton’s early pressure continued before West Ham finally settled.
Gradually the Irons grew into the game. Dagný Brynjarsdóttir saw a close‑range effort blocked, Yui Hasegawa released Tameka Yallop with a superb diagonal, and Kateřina Svitková teed up Yallop again to force Katie Startup into a sharp save. Arnold kept West Ham alive with a fingertip stop from Kaagman’s long‑range free‑kick, but Brighton remained dangerous, Danielle Carter threatening either side of the interval.
West Ham pushed harder after the break - Yallop heading wide from Adriana Leon’s cross, Brynjarsdóttir denied by Startup - yet Brighton always carried menace. Megan Connolly rattled the bar, and Emma Koivisto went close before the decisive moment arrived. A loose back‑pass from Hawa Cissoko caused confusion, Arnold and Grace Fisk converged, and Kaagman pounced to roll the ball into an empty net. It was a harsh end to a spirited fightback, but Brighton’s ruthlessness at key moments proved decisive as the Hammers slipped to defeat.
Brighton & Hove Albion:
Startup, Koivisto, Kerkdijk, Le Tissier, Whelan, Connolly, Kaagman (Zigiotti Olme), Brazil (Geum-Min), Kullberg, Carter (Gibbons), Williams
MANCHESTER CITY
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 2
2 April 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Cissoko
Parker
Longhurst (Wyne)
Yallop (Walker)
Brynjarsdottir
Hasegawa
Evans (Snerle)
Leon
West Ham United Women fell 2–0 to Manchester City, their resilience undone by goals in each half from Georgia Stanway and Khadija Shaw. In glorious spring sunshine - and on Gilly Flaherty’s 100th appearance - the Hammers produced a disciplined display but couldn’t convert the chances that might have changed the story.
City struck early, capitalising on a turnover down the left as Stanway swept a low cross into the far corner. West Ham steadied, with Adriana Leon twice threatening and Lucy Parker arriving at the back post for a half‑chance that drifted wide. Yui Hasegawa knitted attacks together, but City’s one‑goal lead held at the interval.
Claudia Walker’s introduction sharpened the attack, and she almost levelled with her first touch - then did find the net on 56 minutes, only to be ruled offside. Moments later, Arnold saved superbly from Caroline Weir, but Shaw headed in from the resulting corner to double City’s advantage.
West Ham kept pushing, Leon passing up a shooting chance when clean through, and Parker again driving the team forward. But City’s defensive organisation held firm, and despite good territory and intent, the Irons couldn’t find a way back as the points went north.
Manchester City:
Roebuck; Stokes, Greenwood, Stanway (Kelly), Raso (Coombs), Hemp, Weir (AngelDahl), Bronze, Shaw (White), Walsh, Kennedy
MANCHESTER CITY :
FA Cup (Semi-Final)
Chigwell Construction Stadium
1 - 4 (Evans)
16 April 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Longhurst
Svitkova
Parker
Yallop (Snerle)
Hasegawa (Walker)
Brynjarsdottir
Evans
Leon
West Ham United bowed out of the FA Cup with a 4–1 defeat to Manchester City, a scoreline that didn’t quite reflect their early intensity or the fight they showed in front of their biggest crowd of the season. Ellen White’s poacher’s finish and Chloe Kelly’s strike - capitalising on a rare Gilly Flaherty error - put City two up, but Lisa Evans hauled the Hammers back into it before the break, racing onto Adriana Leon’s pass and coolly rounding Ellie Roebuck.
The second half brought chances for an equaliser. Tameka Yallop drove forward, Evans threatened again, and Kateřina Svitková stung Roebuck’s palms. But City’s ruthlessness told: Lauren Hemp robbed Lucy Parker, weaved inside and fired home her 50th club goal to restore their cushion, then added a fourth in stoppage time to seal the tie.
Arnold kept the score down with sharp saves from Filippa Angeldahl and Georgia Stanway, and West Ham’s aggression and width caused City problems throughout. In the end, though, the visitors’ finishing proved decisive. A valiant performance, full of intent and ambition, but City’s quality carried them into the final.
Manchester City:
Roebuck; Stokes, Greenwood, Coombs (Angeldahl), Kelly (Raso), Hemp, White (Stanway), Weir (Shaw), Bronze, Walsh, Kennedy.
READING
Select Car Leasing Stadium
2 - 1 (Hasegawa, Snerle)
24 April 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Cissoko
Longhurst
Svitkova
Wyne (Joel)
Snerle (Walker)
Hasegawa (Stringer)
Brynjarsdottir
Evans (Filis)
Leon (Yallop)
West Ham United Women returned to winning ways with a deserved 2–1 victory over Reading, built on a commanding first half and sealed by sharp second‑half finishing from Emma Snerle and Yui Hasegawa. Faye Bryson’s late strike narrowed the margin, but the Hammers held firm to claim their seventh league win of the campaign - and on Kate Longhurst’s 100th appearance, no less.
The Irons controlled the opening period, moving the ball crisply and repeatedly stretching Reading down the flanks. Snerle had an early effort saved, Dagný Brynjarsdóttir saw a rebound ruled out for offside, and Kateřina Svitková forced Grace Moloney into two smart stops. Lisa Evans struck the crossbar with a glancing header, and Adriana Leon passed up the half’s clearest chance when played clean through.
Despite their dominance, West Ham reached the interval somehow still level - but the breakthrough arrived seconds after the restart. Snerle, lively throughout, found the top corner with a fierce finish from inside the box, her first goal for the Club. Reading responded by pushing bodies forward, Deanne Rose forcing Longhurst into a crucial recovery and later drawing a fine save from Mackenzie Arnold.
The tempo dipped, but West Ham stayed in control and eventually found the cushion they deserved. With time running down, Hasegawa showed superb composure in the area, shifting her feet before firing past Moloney for 2–0. Bryson’s late consolation added a flicker of tension, yet the Hammers saw out the final moments with assurance.
Reading:
Moloney, Bryson, Evans, Rose, Eikeland, Harding, Cooper (Primmer), Vanhaevermaet, Woodham, Troelsgaard (Dowie).
MANCHESTER UNITED
Leigh Sports Village Stadium
0 - 3
1 May 2022
Arnold
Longhurst
Cissoko
Fisk
Wyne (Joel)
Svitkova (Stringer)
Yallop
Hasegawa (Houssein)
Brynjarsdottir (Filis)
Evans (Walker)
Leon
West Ham United Women fell to a 3–0 defeat at Leigh Sports Village, undone by Martha Thomas’ opener against her former club, a Grace Fisk own goal, and Leah Galton’s simple finish just after the break.
With Emma Snerle unavailable, Tameka Yallop returned to the XI, but United seized early control. Arnold saved well from Ona Batlle, then Thomas went close from the resulting corner. West Ham briefly threatened when Adriana Leon burst through midfield to release Lisa Evans, whose cut‑back for Yui Hasegawa was smothered by United’s defence.
The hosts struck after 12 minutes, Galton’s work on the left allowing Thomas to head past Arnold. United’s pressure continued, Wyne blocking another Galton chance before a Thomas run produced a cross that ricocheted off Fisk and into the net.
West Ham’s best first‑half opening came on the half‑hour, Leon and Evans combining to set up Yallop, who fired wide. Russo then hit the side netting before the interval.
United resumed with purpose, Galton tapping in a right‑wing cross to make it three. Harder’s side battled on, but Toone and others threatened further damage as West Ham endured a difficult afternoon on the road.
Manchester United:
Earps, Thorisdottir, Blundell, Toone (Staniforth), Thomas (Hanson), Zelem, Galton (Bøe Risa), Ladd, Groenen (Ferreira Fuso), Batlle, Russo (Bruun).
ARSENAL
Chigwell Construction Stadium
0 - 2
8 May 2022
Arnold
Fisk
Flaherty
Cissoko (Garrad)
Longhurst (Joel)
Wyne (Svitkova)
Brynjarsdottir (Houssein)
Hasegawa
Yallop
Walker (Filis)
Leon
West Ham United Women ended their season with a 2–0 defeat to Arsenal, Stina Blackstenius and Steph Catley striking for a Gunners side who finished second in the league. Despite the loss, the Hammers secured sixth place – their highest finish since joining the WSL in 2018.
Arsenal began brightly in the sunshine at Chigwell Construction Stadium, with Cissoko and Arnold repeatedly shutting the door on Foord and Mead as pressure mounted. West Ham still found moments to threaten, Wyne’s teasing cross only just evading Leon, but the visitors carved out the clearer chances and somehow failed to score before the interval.
The breakthrough arrived early in the second half, Blackstenius scoring within seconds of coming on, and Mead soon rattled the bar as Arsenal surged forward. Miedema hit the side netting before Catley’s thunderous long‑range strike on 66 minutes put the game beyond reach.
Flaherty’s late header against the bar was the closest West Ham came to a response, but the afternoon ended 2–0, the home crowd rising to applaud a side that had delivered a memorable and record‑breaking campaign.
Arsenal:
Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Catley, Mead (Parris), Little, Miedema (Maanum), Walti, McCabe, Maritz, Foord (Blackstenius).
