By Mia Kipling
After a short break, the Women’s Super League (WSL) is back after a short international break with West Ham facing Manchester United for the ninth time in the WSL with West Ham losing six, drawing one and winning one.
Former Red Devil Kirsty Smith started against her former club where she spent four seasons before joining the Irons in July 2022.
It didn’t take long for the first goal of the match and it went the way of the visitors thanks to Rachel Williams in the fourth minute with Katie Zelem easily tackling the ball off Katrina Gorry and feeding it through to assist the goal to slot it past Mackenzie Arnold.
Not long after the Manchester United goal, West Ham nearly found an instant equaliser through Katrina Gorry from 25 yards but Mary Earps managed to prevent the ball from being buried in the top corner
Manchester United nearly doubled their lead when Williams header was clawed away by Arnold in stoppage time before Millie Turner shot an effort wide.
The Irons made a brilliant start to the second half after Riko Uekis shot was sent inches over the bar, Gorry almost levelled but couldn’t keep control of the ball outside the United box
Nikita Parris header went wide unmarked from captain Katie Zelems corner as a frantic start continued while Hayashi and Asseyi both saw efforts blocked at close range
West Ham finally found an equaliser in the 84th minute via the Hammers number 20 Viviane Asseyi. Emma Snerle played the ball into the area from behind with Asseyi getting a foot on it and chipping it past Mary Earps.
When asked about how she feels about the new winter signings and how they fit into the squad dynamic, Rehanne Skinner says “We’ve added some real experience to the team and obviously we’ve got some fantastic players here already, but we just needed to make sure we had a bit more experience in the squad”
In recent weeks certain players have been out on international break for both teams, such as Mackenzie Arnold and Katrina Gorry with The Matildas, both managers spoke on this and how this affects them.
Rehanne Skinner comments that “it’s really tough, three Japanese players have been in China, miles away. Macca and Katrina Gorry have been in Uzbekistan and Australia, it’s a massive ask on the body, especially with a lack of sleep. You saw today it takes its toll.”
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner also commented on this “I mean if we look at it, we’ve got quality in players but not quality in depth and you know when you’re missing players, of course it affects the quality of those players.”
West Ham United (3-4-2-1) Arnold, Tysiak, Denton (Cooke 72’), Cissoko, Smith, Shimizu, Hayashi, Ziu (Snerle 57’) Gorry (Bergman Lundin 90’), Ueki, Asseyi
Unused subs: Walsh, O’Hanlon, Harries, Mewis, Ademiluyi
Scorer: Asseyi 84’
Manchester United (4-2-3-1) Earps, Blundell, Le Tissier, Turner (Evans 59’), Toone, Ladd (Naalsund 59’), Zelem, Galton, Malard (Garcia 59’) , Parris, Williams
Unused subs: Tullis-Joyce, Mannion, Guerrero, Aherne
Scorer: Williams 3’
Attendance: 3171
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
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