Two goals from Kate Longhurst on her West Ham United debut saw the Irons claim a 5-0 win over Lewes in their final match of pre-season.
The Hammers-supporting midfielder smashed home a powerful effort and a guided header in the second period to put Matt Beard’s side on their way to victory, either side of substitute Vyan Sampson’s finish.
After a goalless first half, the Irons burst into a 3-0 lead within 13 minutes of the restart, before striker Jane Ross made it four from the penalty spot.
Leanne Kiernan poked home a fifth for West Ham, as the Hammers secured a huge win in the final match of pre-season, before taking on Arsenal away next week in the Continental Cup.
It took the Hammers just five minutes to register a first effort of the game, as a lovely team move led to Alisha Lehmann creating space on the right-flank. The forward’s cross found Esmee De Graaf, but her strike was expertly saved.
Brianna Visalli displayed her talent at long passes as she played a fantastic cross-field ball, which led to another huge opportunity. This time, it was Lehmann who got the shot away, but the effort was straight at Faye Baker in the Lewes net.
A curling effort from Jame Ross was palmed away not long after, before Lehmann saw an appeal for a penalty waved away by the official, despite it seeming that the Swiss had been caught when turning in the box.
De Graaf also had another opportunity to test Lewes after a poor clearance from the home side, but the attacker’s lofted effort was wide of the far post.
Having been met by a stern Lewes defence in the first half, West Ham finally broke through the resistance ten minutes into the second period. Debutant Longhurst met a ball ten yards from goal and fired home a thunderous strike, giving the Irons the advantage with her unstoppable effort.
The midfielder proved pivotal at the other end of the pitch just five minutes later as well, clearing a headed effort that looked destined to find the back of the net for Lewes.
Leanne Kiernan and Sampson were introduced for the Hammer just after the hour mark, and the latter doubled West Ham’s advantage just four minutes after coming on. A fantastic cross by Claire Rafferty was met with force by the centre-back, and her header found the goal.
The game as sealed on 68 minutes as Longhurst added her second. Esmee De Graaf’s corner was precise, and the midfielder made no mistake with her headed finish.
There was still time for a fourth goal for the Irons after a foul in the box. Up stepped striker Ross, who made no mistake from the penalty spot, coolly placing home to secure the result.
And on 88 minutes Kiernan made it five, as she poked home an effort from close range, securing a 5-0 result for the Irons.
Lewes: Baker; Waine, Taylor, Thompson, Boswell; Bergin, McIntyre, Lane, Rutherford, Carleton; Quayle
Substitutes: Wilson, Owen, Carter, Moloney, Love, Wells
West Ham United: Spencer; Trialist (Kiernan 61’), Hendrix, Flaherty (Sampson 61’), Rafferty; Simic, Longhurst, Visalli; Lehmann (Kmita 78’), Ross, De Graaf
Substitutes: Moorhouse, Percival, Sampson, Kiernan, Kmita, Reichardt
Goals: Longhurst 55’ 68’, Sampson 65’, Ross 75’ (p), Kiernan 88’