West Ham recorded their second win of the season in the Women’s Super league with a hard fought 2-1 victory away to Aston Villa, ending a two-match losing run.
The Hammers took the lead in the second minute through captain Dagny Brynjarsdottir who headed home from close range following a corner taken by Scotland international Kirsty Smith. In the 14th minute Honoka Hayashi doubled West Ham’s lead, taking control of a loose ball in the area and slotting the ball through goalkeeper Anna Leat’s legs and into the Villa goal.
Agonisingly
West Ham had further opportunities to make the score 3 nil, going agonisingly close to doing so when Viviane Asseyi latched onto a poor back pass from Villa defender Anna Patten. The French forward rounded Villa’s keeper, but the angle became too tight, resulting in her shot hit the side netting.
Aston Villa attempted to take advantage of the Hammers misses and created several chances for themselves as they tried to get back into the game. Kirsty Hanson and Anna Patten both had headed efforts from corners deep into the half with the Patten’s effort hitting the outside of the post just on the stroke of half time.
Heroically
The hosts continued to press in the second half, putting several passing moves together and creating shooting chances, although very few tested West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. In the 73rd minute Villa appeared to be given a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty when Kate Longhurst was penalised for a handball. Alisha Lehmann stepped up to take the penalty which was saved heroically by Mackenzie Arnold.
Not to be downbeat at the missed chance from 12 yards Villa put forth another attack and 4 minutes later Kenza Dali’s curled strike landed in the top corner. With the Hammers desperately trying to hold on to the lead as the game ended, challenges became scrappy resulting in their defender Hawa Cissoko being sent off in stoppage time following an altercation with Villa defender Sarah Mayling.
This altercation led to a further incident in the dugouts and West Ham manager Paul Konchesky also being sent off.
Pressure
Following the sending off, West Ham were under immense pressure from Aston Villa who were searching for an equaliser, but they managed to hold on and seal the three points.
This was Villa’s first loss of the season, leaving both sides level on points with Villa having played one game less than The Hammers.
West Ham’s next game is at home to bottom placed Reading on Saturday 23rd October at 3pm.
