Despite a 7-0 win against Crystal Palace in their final group game, West Ham Women exited the Women’s Continental League Cup as Reading progressed with Chelsea.
Reading’s penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea ensured their progression to the knockout stages of the tournament, due to their bonus point for winning the shoot-out. Their initial draw levelled them on points with West Ham, but their shoot-out win saw the Royals progress by a single point.
Matt Beard’s side started the competition in poor fashion, failing to win their first two games. The East London side quickly turned their form around with back to back wins, which gave them a chance to progress in their final game against Crystal Palace women.
Defensively Solid
In their five group games, West Ham have only conceded 5 goals – the third best in the group. Their resolute defence was key to winning their games. Keeping two clean sheets, which is already more than what they’ve kept in the Women’s Super League, the Hammers showed that they can be resolute, with Hammers defender Laura Vetterlein stating that “clean sheets are a huge focus.”
Fortress Rush Green
Three of West Ham’s group games were played at Rush Green, in which they were undefeated, winning two and drawing one. After the Palace game, Matt Beard hinted at making Rush Green a fortress. He told the club website, “We want to try and make Rush Green a fortress, we don’t want anyone to be able to come here and beat us, that’s our goal for 2020.”
Fine Margins
The Hammers’ only defeat came to Chelsea, who topped the group. Their 2-0 defeat to their London rivals. Their 10 points was bettered by last year’s 9, in which they progressed to the quarter finals before being eliminated by Manchester United.
The Hammers also missed a golden opportunity to secure a bonus point in their penalty shootout loss to Tottenham in their second game after drawing 2-2.
Ruthless Finishing
In contrast to their league form, West Ham have been scoring for fun in Group D of the Women’s Continental League Cup. Their 13 goals were level with table toppers Chelsea. West Ham have shown how ruthless they can be whenever they score their first goal at home.
Quickfire goals were the theme for the Hammers who often scored twice in the space of a few minutes. The anthesis and beginning of this was their 2-2 home draw against Tottenham in their second group game, in which they scored twice in injury time to rescue a point.
French midfielder, Kenza Dali was West Ham’s shining light in the group stages. Scoring five times in four appearances, including two braces, the 28-year-old stood out amongst her teammates throughout the Hammers’ group stage games.
West Ham’s rout of Crystal Palace was their final game of the calendar year, due to their away game against Bristol City in the WSL being postponed. Matt Beard’s team will return to action for their first game of the new year at home to Everton on January 5th.
In terms of cup competitions, The Hammers will be hoping to have better luck in the FA Cup, in which they lost in the final to Manchester City last season.
