Sparta Prague 0-1 West Ham United women's team
Pre-Season Match, Great Strahov Stadium, Sunday 10 August, 2pm CEST (3pm BST)
West Ham United women’s team’s pre-season in Prague came to a close with a 1-0 victory over Sparta Prague at Great Strahov Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Keeping a clean sheet against the record 1. Liga Women holders, Rehanne Skinner’s side were deserved winners in the Czech Republic capital having created a plethora of opportunities, particularly in the first period.
It proved to be Riko Ueki’s 22nd-minute goal that sealed victory for the Hammers, which saw the Japan international rise highest from Viviane Asseyi’s free-kick and duly head home.
Without creating a clear-cut chance, the home side enjoyed some early pressure - knocking the ball around quickly and getting some joy in behind. But the Irons remained vigilant, including Shelina Zadorsky, who was on hand to shut out any danger.
The Hammers grew into the contest and called Nikola Harantová into action after the ten-minute mark when Seraina Piubel met Inès Belloumou’s corner and fired a venomous effort on goal that the shot-stopper was equal to.
Set-pieces gave Skinner’s side a lot of joy in the first period and Zadorsky was next to try her luck, but her header was cleared off the line.
However, the Hammers soon found the breakthrough midway through the first half when Asseyi’s free-kick was met by Ueki, who guided a lofted header over Harantová and into the net. The Japan international beamed as she celebrated, and her side used the goal as confidence to kick-on for the remainder of the first period.
A second nearly came straight away, and Asseyi was almost the architect again. This time her free-kick found Zadorsky but the defender, at full stretch, was unable to guide the ball on target. Not long after, Keira Flannery was found in time and space inside the box, however she dragged her shot narrowly wide of the post.
There was time for one last opportunity before the half-time whistle sounded when Shekiera Martinez received the ball from Katrina Gorry on the edge of the box, but sent her shot just over the bar.
Into the second period, and Skinner made six chances at the break, bringing on Megan Walsh, Anouk Denton, Eva Nyström, Halle Houssein, Oona Siren and Soraya Walsh, whilst Ffion Morgan and Verena Hanshaw had been introduced in the first 45.
Wales international Morgan showed her pace to break in behind six minutes after the restart and cut the ball back with both S. Walsh and Martinez itching to tap home. However, Aneta Pochmanová was on hand to clear the ball out for a corner.
Martinez then had an opportunity of her own as she burst into the penalty area with Ueki for company, but she over-ran the ball slightly and Sparta were handed a goal-kick.
Skinner’s side continued to flood forward, but just lacked the final ball at times despite an injection of energy from Brasero, S. Walsh and Brown up front. But nevertheless, the Irons secured the victory and will leave Prague pleased with what they have achieved during their training camp.
Sparta Prague: Harantová, Kotrčová, Bartoňová ©, Pochmanová (Dědinová 74), Khýrová, Sonntagová, Paulenová, Retkesová, Černá, Rancová, Poļuhoviča
Subs not used: Dukic, Huvarová, Hansén, Kerešová, Straková, Ospeck, Ambalia
Booked: Bartoňová
West Ham United (first half): Szemik, Endo, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Belloumou (Hanshaw 33), Gorry ©, Flannery, Asseyi, Martinez, Piubel (Morgan 40), Ueki
West Ham United (second half): M. Walsh, Denton (Cemal 60) Nyström, Zadorsky ©, Hanshaw, Siren, Houssein, Morgan, S. Walsh, Martinez (Brown 60), Ueki (Brasero 60)
Goal: Ueki 22
