Olli Harder

Olli Harder: Reading will provide West Ham United Women with a challenge

Olli Harder is hoping that West Ham United Women can bounce back from their 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, as they welcome Reading to the Chigwell Construction on Sunday.

The Hammers have good home form on their side – remaining unbeaten at home from their first three games, collecting five points in the process. 

And the New Zealander hopes that his side will be able to continue that good run of form in east London on Sunday. 

“We come into this match looking to bounce back from our defeat to Arsenal last weekend, Harder began. 

“Obviously Arsenal are a quality outfit with depth and serious quality in all positions and despite the result there were many positives to take away from those 90 minutes. 

“For us, win, lose or draw it’s about representing ourselves in the best possible manner in terms of our effort and being proud of the West Ham badge.

“Reading provides us a new challenge as they approach the game in different and more direct and aggressive way,” he continued. 

We know that they will be well organised in their approach this afternoon and have some good players amongst their ranks who will look to show themselves if we allow them space and time to do so.”

The visitors struggled at the beginning of the campaign, but now have back-to-back wins under their belt, having beaten Aston Villa and Birmingham City by a 3-0 score line. 

Harder hopes that his side will come out on top, as the club celebrate Women’s Football Weekend. 

“[This weekend] is an opportunity to showcase the very best of our sport and celebrate our mutual love for the game. 

“We’ve all said about how good the coverage has been this season, so I hope to be able to celebrate a good result and give the fans lots to cheer about.

“We are building a great squad here, and I have every confidence in the players to go out there against Reading and represent themselves and the football club well.”

Tickets for the match against the Royal can be purchased from our ticket office at the Chigwell Construction Stadium from 1pm on Sunday afternoon.