Beard: Reading draw was a good start to WSL life

 

Matt Beard is content with how his West Ham United performed in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Reading FC Women, marking their start to life in the FA Women’s Super League with a point. 

An entertaining and competitive fixture at Rush Green ended in a stalemate, although both teams boasted good chances to win the contest. 

Alisha Lehmann saw an early chance come back off the woodwork, while goalkeeper Becky Spencer was outstanding between the sticks, making a number of strong saves to keep the Hammers level. 

And Beard believes his team were worthy of a share of the points and that the draw was a fair reflection of the side’s WSL bow. 

“It was a tough game,” he told West Ham TV. “I think we had to show a different side to our character tonight. Funnily enough, it was two teams that like to try and play, but we stopped each other doing that, so it became a bit of a battle. 

It was a tough game. I’m really pleased with the performance. It’s a good start, especially with the clean-sheet.

Matt Beard

“I felt we did really well in the first half. We had chances and Alisha hit the post. We have to give Reading credit, they defended well. We rode our luck a little bit in the second half but I felt, defensively, we were strong. When it becomes a bit scrappy you’ve got to be a bit brave, block the shots. 
 
“I’m really pleased with the performance. It’s a good start, especially with the clean-sheet.” 

The West Ham head coach also reserved praise for the loyal Hammers supporters who attended the mid-week fixture and created a strong atmosphere for his side.

He added: “The fans gave us a fantastic atmosphere. We had some really positive things said from behind the dugout, and we could hear the support from the main stand as well. 
It’s great. 

“Everyone, not just the fans and the club, but everyone has brought into this project. It’s a great club to be at, it’s a great job to have, and I’m really excited with what the season can bring.”

Beard v Reading

 

Having taken a point from Wednesday’s game, Beard feels the result puts West Ham in a good place heading into a third match in seven days, when the Hammers travel to Boreham Wood to take on Arsenal. 

The Irons were beaten 3-1 earlier this season in the Continental Tyres Cup by the Gunners, but Beard is expecting a different game this weekend.

“A result like this, against Reading, gives us heart. We knew we could compete in this division and if you look at our second half against Arsenal in the Continental Tyres Cup, in our first real test, if we had walked away with a draw I think people would say we had deserved it. 

“We know we can compete at this level. This is a good point for us, and they will all be valuable towards the end of the season. We can take heart from our resilience into Sunday’s game. We can take positives from the chances we’ve created.”