West Ham Women’s team earned a hard fought point away at Walton Hall Park against Everton on Sunday.
Manager Rehanne Skinner made one change to her starting eleven giving Oona Siren her first start in the WSL since joining the club in the summer transfer window. Kirsty Smith was named as part of the Hammers matchday squad after missing the first three games of the season due to injury.
The Hammers started the game positively. French forward Viv Asseyi had the first real opportunity of the match, after getting in behind Everton’s defence she tested the home sides keeper Brosnan with a fierce effort.
Everton responded well and nearly went in front. A cross from Lucy Hope provided Katja Snoeijs with a great chance to fire home, but following a goal mouth scramble, a free kick was given to the Hammers.
Moments after Riko Ueki saw her effort go just wide of the post, Anouk Denton gave West Ham the lead. Having held off Everton captain Megan Finnigan, Viv Asseyi slid the ball across to Denton who rifled home giving the Hammers an early advantage.
After the Hammers took the lead the game became quite back and forth. Everton created opportunities as the first half progressed, with Polish keeper Kinga Szemik making a number of stops that kept the Hammers in front going into half time.
In the second half, Rehanne Skinner’s side were under immense pressure at times and had to work extremely hard in order to protect their lead. Second half substitute Seraina Piubel looked positive when she was introduced and helped add some energy to the Hammers attackers.
Everton did eventually equalise with a little under twenty minutes to go thanks to a slice of good fortune. The Toffee’s caught West Ham on the counter attack, Melissa Lawley who found space on the right hand side. Lawley delivered a cross into the area which deflected off of Camila Saez and over Hammers keeper Szemik to level the match and ultimately secure Everton a point.
Speaking to the Club’s official website after the game, manager Rehanne Skinner said: “A point on the road at Everton is positive, we didn’t take any points off them last year, so it’s an important one and shows progress from last year. Every point in the league matters, so we’ll take the points on the road and we get ready to face Arsenal in front of our home fans.”