Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United women's team
Barclays Women's Super League, Prenton Park, Sunday 17 March 2024, 12pm GMT
West Ham United women's team were on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The home side took the lead before half time when former West Ham United forward Leanne Kiernan slotted into an empty net after Ceri Holland caught Arnold whilst playing the ball through.
Missy Bo Kearns made it two just after half time when she ran across the face of goal and headed into the bottom corner. Sophie Roman Haug then netted a third at the far post, before Riko Ueki scored what would only go down as a consultation goal late on as the Hammers fell to defeat on Merseyside.
Rehanne Skinner welcomed back Shelina Zadorsky into the starting XI, with the defender returning after representing Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the past three weeks.
The early exchanges in Birkenhead saw both sides battle to retain possession, with the hosts coming out on top in the first 10 ten minutes of the contest.
Skinner’s side kept a compact shape during opening period and were able to break out and get their first shot of the game away when Asseyi raced forward on the counter attack. Her curling effort couldn’t test Rachel Laws in the Liverpool goal.
The hosts meanwhile tested Arnold on 38 minutes, with Kiernan firing a fierce shot that she tipped over her crossbar. From the resulting corner, Niamh Fahey couldn’t direct a header on target.
Matt Beard’s side took the lead three minutes later when a long ball over the top saw Jasmine Matthews squared a ball to Holland, with the midfielder beating Arnold to the ball and allowing Kiernan to strike for the first goal of the game. The tangle with Holland and a covering Amber Tysiak left the Hammers No1 requiring treatment.
Once Arnold was back on her feet, the Irons looked to respond before half time. First, Kirsty Smith saw an effort land wide of the target, before Ueki forced Laws into a smart stop and Asseyi couldn’t apply a finishing touch as 12 added minutes were played at the end of the first half.
Liverpool doubled their advantage just after the break, with substitute Kearns getting across the front of Tysiak and heading into the bottom corner beyond Arnold.
Just after the hour mark, Asseyi spurned one of the better chances of the game for the Irons. A mix up out on the left for Liverpool allowed Jess Ziu to pull a ball behind for Asseyi to shoot, but she couldn’t keep her effort down, as it subsequently landed in the stand behind the goal.
The hosts made it three to compound a disappointing afternoon for the Irons, as Roman Haug lurked at the back post and hooked an effort into the opposite corner of the net on 73 minutes.
Ueki was able to capitalise on a mistake from Laws to claw back a goal, but the Irons couldn’t add any further goals as they fell to defeat.
Liverpool: Laws, Koivisto, Fisk, Fahey ©, Clark, Matthews, Lundgaard (Kearns 38), Holland, Hobinger (Daniels 65), Holland, Hobinger, Kiernan (van de Sanden 61), Roman Haug
Subs not used: Micah, Enderby, Lawley, Parry
Goals: Kiernan 41, Kearns 51, Roman Haug 73
Booked: Clark 83, Daniels 90+4
West Ham United: Arnold ©, Shimizu, Tysiak, Cissoko (Cooke 58), Zadorsky, Smith, Hayashi (Bergman Lundin 74), Gorry (Ademiluyi 74), Snerle (Ziu 58), Asseyi, Ueki (Harries 90+2)
Subs not used: Walsh, O'Hanlon, Denton
Goal: Ueki 87
Referee: Emily Heaslip
