CORK born midfield stalwart Aofie Aherne celebrated her 100th
appearance for the West Ham United Ladies as they completed the
double over the Southampton Saints with a 2-0 win at Aveley.
Following the Hammers first win of the season where they beat the Saints 5-1 at Winchester earlier they were never really threatened thanks to the superb defensive marshalling of Julia Setford and Stacey Crump who were solid at the heart of the Hammers back-four.
West Ham took the initiative in the early stages when a cross from Lindsey Morgan found Sam Pittuck to put the Hammers into the lead.
At half-time manager Kay Cossington made two changes and one of those was the introduction of Kerry Stimson who picked up a nasty injury earlier in the season.
With the FA Cup Third Round tie looming against Barnet next week, Kerry's very encouraging performance would have given the manager some difficult choices to make when she selects the starting line-up.
The game was put beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Nicola Dunsdon rounded the keeper to slot home. In the last ten minutes the Saints went down to ten players when a girl was sent off for abusive language to the referee.
WEST HAM UNITED: Clare Lacey, Clarly Roache, Julia Setford, Kate Turney, Stacey Crump, Aofie Aherne, Kate Fanning, Lindsey Morgan, Sam Pittuck, Vicky Lewis, Nicola Dunsdon. SUBS USED: Vicky Bruce, Kerry Stimson.
While the Reserves were without a game it was left to the Under-16's to round off a good weekend for the Hammers as they trounced South London side Long Lane 9-2. The first team have consolidated sixth place in the FA Premier Women's League (South) and now have a five point cushion over seventh placed Reading Royals.