Mackenzie Arnold was delighted that West Ham United Women were able to pick up their second win of the campaign on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers overcame Aston Villa at Bescot Stadium, with Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi scoring in a 2-1 victory, the latter firing in her first for the Club.
Arnold was in inspired form in the West Midlands, making a total of seven saves, including denying former teammate, Alisha Lehmann from the penalty spot.
The goalkeeper was also voted by the Hammers faithful as the ZO Skin Health Player of the Match for her performance, and she was pleased that the team were able to come away with the three points from a gritty performance.
“We knew going into that game that it was going to be a really tough one – historically it always is when we go up against Aston Villa,” Arnold told whufc.com.
“But I think the way that way that the girls ground out the result in the last 20 minutes was really good and I was really proud of everyone out there.
“It was a really important game for us to try and take three points in. Obviously, Villa had made an unbeaten start and we know it was going to be tough, but we came through and we have something to build on now going into Everton.”
Arnold had already denied Lauren James from the spot in the Hammers’ last Barclays Women’s Super League outing, as well as making a number of saves in the penalty shootout victory over London City Lionesses in the Continental Tyres League Cup.
The goalkeeper says that her current technique is working for her, and she was pleased to be able to contribute and help the team to victory.
“I’ve got my own way of going about saving a penalty and it seems to work well for me. It doesn’t always work to my advantage but I’m comfortable with it and it paid off on Saturday.
“Alisha took one again me last year and went the same side and scored, so I had a little bit of an idea.
“I’m trying to play as consistently as I can – I wasn’t happy with my kicking at the beginning of the game, but it got better as it went on.
“I’m just happy to be able to help the team pick up an important victory.”
Now Arnold is hoping that the Hammers can carry the momentum from the victory over Villa into their next match against Reading.
The Royals are without a win so far in their opening three WSL matches, but did perform admirably in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday evening.
"Reading are another team that we want to beat because they were in and around us last season – we always have really tough matches against them, similar to Aston Villa.
"If we play like we have done in the last few league matches then I think we will come away with the points," she concluded.
West Ham United Women now prepare to face Reading at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday 23 October, with tickets for Adults starting from £13 and for £5 for Juniors.
