West Ham United women’s team found our groove against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Subway® Women's League Cup on Wednesday night, and left-back Verena Hanshaw wants her side to turn on the style again against London City Lionesses on Sunday.
Under the lights at Chigwell Construction Stadium, Rehanne Skinner’s side put in a performance full of determination and spirit. We didn’t back down when Carla Camacho gave the Seagulls the lead in the first half and responded quickly when Seraina Piubel lashed Shekiera Martinez’s cut-back into the roof of the net.
Having set up the equaliser, Germany U23 international Martinez, 15 minutes from time, conjured up the winner in east London, sweeping the ball home with an instinctive finish from inside the box.
Our second victory from as many games in the competition handed us a three-point advantage at the summit of Group C, but attentions now turn back to Barclays Women’s Super League action for a trip to the newly-promoted Pride.
The game against London City, who secured a late 1-0 win at home to Liverpool last time out, will pose a good test for the Hammers as we look to record our first league win of the season ahead of a three-week break.
Austria international Hanshaw was in fine form and played all 90 minutes against the Seagulls, and insisted how crucial the win could be for changing the momentum in our start to the league season.
“I think it was such an important win for us, not only for the cup but for our whole situation at the moment,” she reflected. “We needed that win as a team and it feels really good to have got it.
“It was a really fun game to play in. We felt the energy from the fans right from the beginning. I love playing at home, it was such a great feeling, and it was great to get the win for them.
“I was super happy for Seraina and Shekiera [to score on Wednesday night]. I was over the moon for them. They both deserve the goals and worked so hard for them as well.”
After making 17 signings over the summer, including the eye-catching additions of Danielle van de Donk and Grace Geyoro, London City Lionesses are certainly a new-look team to the one that Skinner’s side defeated in the Subway® Women's League Cup last term.
On a blustery afternoon in Bromley, the Hammers ran out 4-1 winners, with Viviane Asseyi netting a brace alongside goals from Manuela Pavi and Riko Ueki. The win came two months before Hanshaw signed for the Irons, but the 31-year-old is looking forward to the challenge at Copperjax Community Stadium, as her side look to go into the break on a high.
“Everyone wishes for a win this weekend,” she continued. “After the last few weeks, we want to close it (this first part of the season) up in a good way before we go away with our national teams, and to have that good feeling for when we come back.
“I hope the win against Brighton will give us a lot of confidence going into the game against London City, but we know we need to keep working on the things that we haven’t been doing so well.
“I think with a win you always get into the flow, and I hope we can take that into the weekend.”
Online ticket sales for our game at London City Lionesses have closed, but tickets will be available on the day at Copperjax Community Stadium, subject to availability.
Accessible tickets are sold through the West Ham United Ticket Office by telephone on 0333 030 1966.
