- Whitney Locke's 88th-minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw at Swindon Town
- Molly Peters also on target after West Ham United Ladies had fallen two goals down
- Point made it two league games unbeaten for Greg De Carnys's side
West Ham United Ladies came from two goals down to claim a point at Swindon Town Ladies on Sunday.
Molly Peters and Whitney Locke were the Hammers’ goalscoring heroes at Shivenham FC, after strikes from Michelle Rich and Chyna Collings had seemingly set the Robins on course for victory.
Assistant manager Josh Ewens said the Ladies could take great pride from the character they showed in coming from behind to grab a second successive FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division draw.
“It was a real test of their character and there have been times earlier in the season when we have crumbled a bit, but we certainly did the opposite of that,” said Ewens.
“We’re starting to turn the performances into results and those draws will start turning into three points soon.”
By a strange quirk of the fixture list, West Ham’s next league game is also against Swindon, who visit Thurrock FC on Sunday 12 March.
“We look forward to taking Swindon to our place, with hopefully better conditions, with a pitch that suits our football,” Ewens continued.
“We have to be confident that, if we play as well as we can do, then we can certainly get results from that game and the Lewes game [at home on 30 April]. I think we’re optimistic that we will put in good performances against teams like Tottenham [away on 26 March] as well.
“We proved that when we played Spurs that, when these girls are on their game and play as well as we know we can, we can challenge any team in terms of the way that we play.”
It was a real test of their character and there have been times earlier in the season when we have crumbled a bit, but we certainly did the opposite of that
Josh Ewens
The Hammers started Sunday’s game in characteristic style, playing out from the back and keeping the ball. Despite this and against the run of play, Swindon put the ball in the West Ham net through Rich, despite strong protests for offside.
It was looking like a long day for the travelling side as the Robins soon doubled their lead as Collings fired in from outside the box.
Greg De Carnys’ side refused to let their heads drop, though, and did not let the score line affect the way that they play.
Despite playing uphill and against the wind, Amy Cooper, Julie Melfald and Dayna Chong were putting great passes in for Peters, who was terrorising the Swindon defence with her pace.
And the striker was finally was rewarded for her efforts as she got one back with a tidy finish before half-time.
Into the second half and West Ham took advantage of having the wind at their backs as Chloe Burr fired wide and Shannon Albuery was denied by the Swindon goalkeeper.
At the other end, the back four of Chantelle Mackie, Jasmine Auguste, Hannah Wheeler and Jodie Jacobs shut up shop, preventing Swindon from creating any chances of note.
West Ham were trying desperately to get the equaliser and in the 88th minute substitute Whitney Locke got it with a clever finish to secure a deserved share of the spoils.