2 years ago
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Kirsty Smith opened the scoring with her first goal of the seasonGoals in either half from Kirsty Smith and Riko Ueki helped West Ham to an impressive victory over Brighton at Broadfield Stadium.
Rehanne Skinner's first victory since replacing Paul Konchesky in the summer was full of energy and intensity, as her players executed an excellent tactical gameplan.
West Ham's pressing gave them an early foothold and remained a key theme throughout a physical match.
They should have taken the lead through Smith early on, but she couldn't keep her shot on target from close range after a mix-up in the home defence.
Yet Skinner's side didn't have to wait long for the opener. With just 12 minutes on the clock, Smith forced a rebound over the line after Sophie Baggaley parried Ueki's shot from outside the box into her path.
Brighton began to assert themselves as the half went on, but Hawa Cissoko was a solid presence at the back for the visitors.
The Seagulls twice went close through Pauline Bremer just before the break, first with a header and then a powerful shot blocked by Mackenzie Arnold. Their onslaught continued with an Elisabeth Terland effort, but West Ham held on.
The second half followed the same pattern as an energetic and organised West Ham hunted the ball effectively.
Ueki doubled their lead in the 51st minute with her first goal for the club, heading home Lisa Evans' pin-point free-kick.
Brighton struggled to respond and the outstanding Evans led a swift counter-attack that almost led to a third moments later.
Smith's day was cut short with a shoulder injury, but even that couldn't dampen what was a dominant display by the Hammers.
Powerful display kickstarts Skinner's tenure
West Ham were beaten convincingly by Manchester City in Skinner's first game last week, and there was a point to prove at Brighton as they recorded just a second win in 14.
The manner of their performance was the most pleasing for the new boss.
Even as Brighton stepped up in the second half, West Ham didn't panic. Defender Cissoko was imperious and, in Japan forward Ueki, they look to have a striker who can score goals in the big moments.
Line-ups
Brighton Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 32Baggaley
- 5BergsvandBooked at 65mins
- 2ThorisdóttirBooked at 24mins
- 16KullbergSubstituted forSarriat 80'minutes
- 22Robinson
- 6LosadaSubstituted forSymondsat 66'minutes
- 10Olme
- 3PattinsonSubstituted forRuleat 57'minutes
- 11Terland
- 8BremerSubstituted forFerreira Pintoat 66'minutes
- 9LeeSubstituted forHaleyat 57'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Evrard
- 7Sarri
- 14Carabalí
- 15Hawkesby
- 17Ferreira Pinto
- 18Symonds
- 21Haley
- 33Rule
- 40Startup
West Ham Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Arnold
- 3ShimizuBooked at 90mins
- 23Cissoko
- 21Cooke
- 18DentonSubstituted forAtkinsonat 78'minutesBooked at 89mins
- 19Hayashi
- 4StringerSubstituted forFilisat 79'minutes
- 2SmithSubstituted forHarriesat 68'minutes
- 7EvansBooked at 75mins
- 9UekiBooked at 24minsSubstituted forAdemiluyiat 78'minutes
- 20AsseyiBooked at 38mins
Substitutes
- 11Atkinson
- 12Harries
- 17Filis
- 25Walsh
- 35Ademiluyi
- 41Flannery
Referee:Amy Fearns
Attendance:1,126
Live Text
Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0, West Ham United Women 2.
Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0, West Ham United Women 2.
Risa Shimizu (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Elisabeth Terland (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Julia Olme (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
Foul by Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women).
Julia Olme (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Conceded by Izzy Atkinson.
Attempt blocked. Julia Olme (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tatiana Pinto.
Attempt missed. Elisabeth Terland (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Attempt blocked. Madison Haley (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Julia Olme with a headed pass.
Risa Shimizu (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card.
Emma Harries (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Veatriki Sarri (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
Attempt missed. Veatriki Sarri (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United Women).
Katie Robinson (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt blocked. Maisie Symonds (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Charlize Rule.
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