Shekiera Martinez and Seraina Piubel were all smiles after they helped West Ham United women’s team to a 2-1 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Subway® Women's League Cup on Wednesday night.
After Carla Camacho opened the scoring after 16 minutes in east London, Martinez teed up Piubel to net her first goal in all competitions this term, and more importantly, the equaliser on the night.
Into the second half, and it was the Germany U23 international who secured us the three points with 15 minutes to play, finishing across goal into the bottom-right corner, after brilliant persistence from substitutes Riko Ueki and Viviane Asseyi.
That was Martinez’s second goal in the competition after her clinical finish against Charlton Athletic last time out in the cup, and the striker was delighted to help the Hammers maintain their spot at the top of Group C.
“I love scoring goals,” beamed the matchwinner. “I’m happy that I was able to help the team today. I’m also happy for Seraina for scoring as well!
“I didn’t think about what to do! The ball Vivi [Asseyi] played was perfect, and I just tried to hit the ball and I’m happy that it went in.
“We celebrate every goal, for everyone, and this is what makes us a team.”
It was a special night for Piubel, who got to celebrate in front of her family at Chigwell Construction Stadium, and she was equally as overjoyed to find the net against the Seagulls.
Our No77 also insisted her side will take confidence from the result in Dagenham into our Barclays Women's Super League fixture at London City Lionesses on Sunday.
“I enjoyed it so much!” she said. “It’s a very important win at home. We’re still first in the group and I think we can take the energy into the next league game.
“I remember the ball was on the line and I screamed to Shekiera, ‘Play, play play!’. She played the ball to me and it was a nice feeling.
“Every player was aggressive which so important for the team, and we can take this into Sunday against London City.”
