Busy weekend for the Ladies

With the first team not playing this weekend, why not pop along to Romford Market to show you support for another of West Ham United's sides.

The youngsters from West Ham United Ladies are holding a fundraising day on Saturday to raise funds for an oversees tour this summer. The first-team squad will be there for photos and autographs with fans and mascots Herbie and Bubbles will also be present to lend their support, with lots of West Ham goodies for all that turn up.

Meanwhile, on the pitch things are going well as the first team played out a battling 0-0 draw with high-fliers Millwall Lionesses on Sunday.

The re-arranged fixture was played at Millwall's first-team training ground, with Tony Marshall's side knowing they faced a tough task, having never before taken a point off the former National League team.

With both sides going close in the first half, the game really came to life in the second after Millwall were reduced to ten players after their central defender was sent off for two quick bookings. After that, it was all West Ham with Holly Griffin, on her full debut, Tracey Duxbury, Gemma Shepherd and substitute Sophie Walker all being denied by the heroics of the Millwall goalkeeper Claire Lacey.

After the game, manager Marshall was delighted by his side's display. He said: "It was our best performance since I have been at the club. Millwall are deservedly the league favourites and they have a very talented and experienced group of players. But we outplayed them today. We won our 50/50s and the back five were outstanding, especially Carly Roache and Jade Dempster - who had to play through the pain barrier.

"Goalkeeper Paris Smith did not have to make a save in the second half, Katie Holmes was everywhere and our patterns of play in midfield were great to watch. Holly Griffin was excellent - for a 16 year old to come into a game like this and work so hard was a real example. Tracey Duxbury, Sam Pittuck and Lindsey Morgan showed real composure and Gemma Shepherd worked tirelessly and should have had at least one goal to show for her effort.

"Now we must continue our form next week against Ipswich as we then have the Essex County Cup Final the week after so there should be some real competition for places."