After Wednesday night’s 2-1 League Cup win against fellow WSL side Brighton, Rehanne Skinner was quick to praise the unity and fighting spirit within her West Ham squad.

Carla Camacho gave the visitors an early lead after 16 minutes. Swiss international Seraina Piubel brought the Hammers level, before Shekiera Martinez’s strike after 75 minutes, which sparked jubilant scenes on the touchline and West Ham bench, completed the come back and secured the three points for Rehanne Skinner’s side.

The Hammers sit top of Group C after their opening two games. Speaking after the game Hammers boss Rehanne Skinner reflected on the impact of her goalscorers and the key moments that carried them to victory at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Reflecting on her side’s performance, Skinner said: “I thought we did a really good job today. It was a great opportunity for the whole squad as well to be able to get minutes and obviously against a WSL team. It was an opportunity for us to get a little bit of payback from the way we played (against them) in the league. You can see how we’ve grown from that game to this one.”

Discussing the goal scorers, Piubel and Martinez, Skinner praised the pair for their attacking threat and sharpness in front of goal. “I think both of them (Piubel and Martinez) have been really close in other situations and have had chances in other games. But I think one of the big things we’ve wanted is to create more chances, and they were both really quick to take them.” said the Hammers boss.

Highlighting their determination in front of goal, Skinner added: “It just shows how willing they are and how desired they are in these opportunities to get goals.”

Skinner felt the difference on the night came down to her side’s composure when it mattered most: “We’ve scored two goals when we’ve had the chances, and that matters as well. Today we took those chances better. We were much more effective in and around the final third,” she told the club’s Official Website.

Having made it two from two in the League Cup, West Ham Women’s attention now shifts quickly towards their next league fixture. Rehanne Skinner’s side face London City Lionesses on Sunday.

The Hammers will be hoping to pick up their first points of the campaign after a challenging start to the 2025/26 WSL season that sees them bottom of the table and winless in their first five matches.