It was a disappointing Wednesday night for the West Ham United Women as they were beaten 1-0 by Brighton & HA Women in their latest Barclay’s Women’s Super League match at the People’s Pension Stadium.
Aileen Whelan’s volley for the Seagulls after half an hour was the difference between the two sides on a freezing cold evening in West Sussex.
The Hammers came closest to getting an equaliser when Laura Vetterlein’s hooked effort was cleared off the line by Geum-Min Lee just before half-time.
The versatile Lois Joel started for Olli Harder’s side, first of all finding herself deployed in central midfield before dropping back to full-back as the Irons went in search of a leveller.
We really wanted to bounce back after the last few games and I feel like the team put a real shift in, we’re just lacking a bit of quality in the final third. We definitely had our fair share of the chances, but we just didn’t take them tonight.
Lois Joel
The 21-year-old spoke to www.whufc.com after a difficult evening against in-form opposition.
“It’s a really tough loss for the team,” said Joel. “We really wanted to bounce back after the last few games and I feel like the team put a real shift in, we’re just lacking a bit of quality in the final third. We definitely had our fair share of the chances, but we just didn’t take them tonight.”
The determination and work rate in Claret and Blue couldn’t be faulted, however the Hammers were left to rue missed opportunities once more this season.
“I don’t think we’re missing any effort,” West Ham’s No20 explained. “We’re trying our best to win these games. We just need to work on that final pass or that final shot. Our confidence isn’t too high at the moment, but we’ve got a few weeks on the training pitch now, and that’s a chance for us to come together as a team and get some confidence back in the squad before the games start up again.”
Joel, who joined the Club back in October, is enjoying her best run of games since arriving from the University of North Carolina and despite a difficult run of results is relishing every minute on the pitch.
I don’t think there’s anything extraordinary that we have to work on – we just have to come together as a group.
Lois Joel
“On a personal level, I’m slightly more positive. I want to keep playing, keep helping the team in any way that I can and try my best to get better results. It’s great to be out there on the pitch and I just want to help the team however I can.
“My versatility is something that can help me get more minutes, I think. I’m comfortable in midfield and at full-back as well, I’m always ready to play in whatever position I’m needed.”
With over three weeks until their next game, the West Ham United Women have plenty of time to put things right and Joel admits they’ve already earmarked a few key areas that need addressing.
“I think it’s just the final ball, putting the ball in the back of the net and getting that confidence back in our play. Working on set pieces as well, not conceding from them is a big one, but we feel like everything is a fixable mistake. I don’t think there’s anything extraordinary that we have to work on – we just have to come together as a group.”
