West Ham United 11 – 0 Chichester and Selsey
From Caz Evans
The scoreline will suggest that West Ham gave Chichester and Selsey a ‘hammering’ but that wasn’t officially the case.
The West Ham team featured many international players and a strong starting 11. West Ham got off to a quick start when the referee adjudged Amber Howden of a handball in the area, something that she seemed to be the only one to see, and although Issy Foster in the Chichester goal went the right way and was close to it they were 1-0 up after 2 minutes. This of course massively affected the team and their game plan. Emily Van Egmond was a constant threat and her height and stature proved too strong for the Chichester defence as she scored four first half goals, some great headers along the way to give West Ham a substantial lead.
Chichester were working hard and closing down the ball, but West Ham were in confident mood after a few quick goals and the difference in fitness levels showed. Sarah Saunders up front for Chichester held the ball up well and Chichester had a threat from set pieces but unable to test the keeper. 7-0 at the break.
Manager Sadie Blakely asked her team at half time to continue to compete and enjoy the game and improve on their first half performance. 15 minutes had gone in the second half before Chichester were unlucky to concede again when a shot cannoned off the post and off a Chichester player into the goal. Another strange decision on a penalty was awarded and although again Foster got her hands too it, the strike was too strong to keep out. Foster was having an incredible game and pulled off a fantastic save to deny West Ham a tenth and out for a corner.
It was though ten soon after however. Suddenly, Chichester found themselves on a break down the West Ham right hand side, with great link up play between the three centre midfielders, Ariana Fleischman, Megan Fox and Gemma Simmonds, the ball into the box met by Tash Wild and found the bottom corner…only for the linesman to raise his flag and Simmonds was offside in the build-up…gutted! West Ham finished the game off with an eleventh The score line maybe a bit harsh in terms of the commitment and work ethic of Chichester and Selsey on the day but everyone at the club and their supporters are proud of the achievement this season. For a bunch of players who get to train twice a week, have had four months off due to Covid-19 and have to pay to play the game they love, we are extremely proud.
The fact the players have had two games recently after so long out and played against a professional side also showed the difference in women’s football. A club getting their day against a Super League side is what the FA Cup is about, but it also highlighted the difference in the Women’s football pyramid and maybe something the FA should look into. This game wasn’t the only one to be high scoring.
The only controversial actions of the day was when the West Ham manager decided to bring on his goal keeper Mackenzie Arnold, who played in goal for Australia against the Netherlands in week, and played her in centre midfield. Secretary Caz Evans commented “It is important for clubs to remember where they came from to get where they are now. Some clubs used to be in our league (tier three) until they were given a huge financial backing from either their men’s club or the FA. If all clubs had the financial backing like this then this huge gap in women’s football wouldn’t be so obvious. It is hard for a club like ours to financially make every season and when the team who have worked so hard see clubs doing things like this to them, it is not helping the situation. I personally would like to see the FA and Women’s Football Board really think about all other teams not just those with ‘big names’ and clubs with lots of money! Myself and the whole club are extremely proud of our manager, coaches, players and volunteers for all their hard work this season, previous seasons and all future seasons ahead. We are looking forward to the new league season and another great FA Cup run.”
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