Manager Rehanne Skinner hailed the positive experience her West Ham United women’s team have gained from their trip away after Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Sparta Prague.
On a hot day at Great Strahov Stadium, victory was sealed thanks to Riko Ueki’s first-half header from Viviane Asseyi’s free-kick, which rounded off the Hammers’ training camp in the capital of the Czech Republic in style.
Time in Prague has allowed the east Londoners to work hard in preparation for the upcoming Barclays Women’s Super League season, but also grow even closer as new signings further integrated themselves into the side.
In the women’s team’s first-ever game in Europe, new arrivals Yu Endo, Ffion Morgan, Sarah Brasero, Emily Brown and Selin Cemal were all given minutes, as well as returning defender Inès Belloumou.
Skinner hailed their characters in her post-match interview with West Ham TV, as well as Ueki’s finish, and her squad for finding a way to win in difficult conditions and against a tough opposition.
The squad is in a really good place.
"I'm delighted with the way the game's panned out. I think the squad is in a really good place, it's just been a really positive experience overall. The quality of the opposition was exactly what we needed at this stage of pre-season, so, all in all, we've got loads of benefits out of it in terms of everybody getting minutes.
"I think the way we played and went about the game, we did a good job of finding a way to win and improving in some of the areas that we've been focusing on pre-season."
A great start for Riko.
"It was a great delivery and she [Ueki] found the gap in between. I think there were another couple of chances where we probably turned down the opportunity to shoot, because we probably could have been a little bit more comfortable in the first half. But that's what pre-season is for.
"We want to make sure that we get in those situations, those positions. Of course Riko's got some targets of her own this year, and it's a good way for her to start them."
The new signings have settled in really quickly.
"The characters of the players that have come in, they’re are a fantastic group of people. I think they've settled in quickly, and their commitment to the team already is really high. They can feel what it's about and what we're trying to do here, and I think their work-rate and the way they applied themselves today was great.
"Sometimes at this stage when you've got new players, you can be a little bit concerned about the shape, because they're learning. But overall, I think every player gave a really good account of themselves and showed some real bright sparks today."
It's been a great trip for everyone.
"You can’t really quantify it, those bits of team building and togetherness. Yesterday they had some time in the city and they all went for coffee. It's those moments you need when the highs and lows of the season happen.
"So the trip overall has been fantastic. We're really grateful to Sparta for hosting us and the game was a really good test. The Club has got a great relationship with Sparta across all our different age groups, so it was a great first opportunity for us this year. We’re grateful to them for helping and supporting us to do this today."
