Hammers hit Swindon for six to go nine unbeaten

Ladies

A tenacious and clinical second half from West Ham United Ladies saw the Hammers beat Swindon Town Ladies 6-0, and extend their unbeaten run in 2018 to nine contests. 

A 30th minute strike from Leanne Mabey was the only difference between the two sides in the first period, with the versatile midfielder netting from a loose ball in the penalty area. 

The Irons turned on the style in the second period, with Kelly Wealthall heading home just seconds after the restart. Ellie Zoepfl then got on the scoresheet, firing home after a terrific ball. 

The two forwards both doubled their individual match tallies as Wealhall swept home and Zoepfl headed in, while Molly Clark netted her first goal for the Club with a powerful strike.

The Hammers had their first opportunity on three minutes as Clark played Rosie Kmita into a dangerous area, but the winger’s shot was straight at the goalkeeper. 

Clark herself saw an effort well saved, as did Wealthall, before Kmita saw a goal ruled out for offside following a through-ball from Amber Stobbs. 

On the half hour mark, the Hammers were ahead. A corner wasn’t cleared by the home side, and as the ball bobbled in the box Mabey was the first to react, striking home a low shot. 

Right-back Chantelle Mackie had the opportunity to double the advantage, bursting into an unfamiliar forward position, but Swindon’s Barrett was able to deny the No.2 her first goal of the campaign.

Just 22 seconds after the restart, the Hammers doubled their advantage. A cross from Zoepfl was connected with excellently by Wealthall, leaving the goalkeeper stranded as the header found the far corner. 

Mackie saw another effort well saved and a powerful strike by Clark was expertly blocked, but Zoepfl killed the game off with a clinical finish, following an exquisite ball from the midfielder. 

The American forward then struck the woodwork with a curling effort, but Wealthall made it four after being played into space by substitute Andria Georgiou. 

Clark got a deserved goal with a powerful strike inside the area on 85 minutes and Zoepfl doubled her personal tally with a header from a Jasmine Auguste cross.

West Ham United Ladies: Connatser; Mackie, Wheeler, Austin, Auguste; Mabey (Chong 78’), Clark, Stobbs (c) (Georgiou 69’); Zoepfl, Wealthall (Peters 78’), Kmita

Substitutes: Chong, Georgiou, Peters

Goals: Mabey 30’, Wealthall 46’ 71’, Zoepfl 65’ 87’, Clark 85’

Swindon Town Ladies: Barrett; Lawrence, New, Presswell, Smith (c); Colford, Nightingale, Pickering, Arrell; Roberts, Taylor 

Substitutes: Mugford, Nash, Brown, Bridger