Adriana Leon found the back of the net for West Ham United Women for the first time since returning from injury against Birmingham City.
The Canadian forward connected with a wonderful corner delivered in by Kateřina Svitková to put the Hammers ahead before half-time in Sunday's 1-0 Barclays FA Women's Super League victory.
The strike was the 29-year-old’s second goal of the campaign, having scored against Aston Villa back in September, and Leon was pleased to be back amongst the goals and scoring what proved to be the match winner.
“It felt great to find the back of the net and get the winner for the team,” Leon told whufc.com. "The most important thing is that we got the three points because they’re so important for us and we want to continue moving forward.
“Hopefully I can get a few more before the season ends, but it’s nice to be able to experience that goalscoring feeling again.”
Leon explained what it’s been like to be out on the sidelines for an extended period of time in an extended interview with West Ham TV last week, and was pleased to be involved from the start in what was a tough battle against a tough Birmingham outfit.
“It was a tough game for us – it’s always difficult playing away from home. It definitely wasn’t a pretty game that’s for sure, but what matters is the three points and we’re happy that we’ve come away with them.
“Birmingham battled hard and they made the game tough for us. But equally, we played hard as well, battled for one another and came out on top which was good to see.”
The forward also revealed at the full-time whistle that it was the first time that she had scored from a corner.
“I’m usually the one taking them,” Leon laughed. “It was a superb delivery from Katchi (Kateřina Svitková) and it came straight into my path.
“I didn’t make the perfect contact with the ball, but thankfully it ended up in the net.”
Now the Hammers will turn their attention to Wednesday’s FA WSL clash against Manchester United – where a win would enhance the team’s chances of occupying a Champions League spot come the end of the season.
Leon is looking forward to the prospect of facing the Red Devils.
“We’re all really looking forward to the game. We want to finish the season as strongly as we can with as many points on the board – and this is a good opportunity for us to make up some ground on the teams above us.
“I feel like as a team we’re really striving to continue moving up the table, we know what we have to do so we ‘re focused on getting a good result against them,” she concluded.
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