West Ham United women's team kicked-off their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against London Bees at The Hive, with Leanne Kiernan scoring the only goal for the Irons.
It was the first game for Matt Beard and his new coaching staff at West Ham, and the first game for a number of players as they made their debut for the Hammers ahead of the Women’s Super League season.
Gilly Flaherty led the side out as she captained the Irons for their first game of the summer, and it was London Bees who got the game underway, with the game being split in to three 30-minute sections.
On two minutes London Bees had the first chance with a free-kick on the edge of the West Ham penalty area, but the free-kick caused no trouble as Esmee De Graaf cleared it away.
West Ham had their first chance on four minutes when Kiernan worked some space on the left-hand side and played in a cross, but unfortunately for the Irons it evaded everyone in the box.
West Ham had a good chance to take the lead on eleven minutes. De Graaf caused trouble for most of the first half, played in a great cross to Jane Ross, however her header was too powerful and went over the bar.
On 25 minutes the first goal of the game was scored, unfortunately for the Irons it was for the hosts London Bees.
West Ham failed to clear a corner and after a scrap for the ball it fell to Bees’ Taylor O’Leary who fired it into the top corner of Anna Moorhouse’s goal.
The Irons tried to find an equaliser for the rest of the first 30-minute spell but struggled to get in behind the London Bees defence. The referee then brought the first period to an end with West Ham trailing.
Nine minutes in to the second 30 minutes, West Ham almost brought the game level. Ross played one of the trialists through on goal and her pace was able to beat the defenders, but although her shot beat the keeper it came back off the post and London Bees were able to clear.
On 48 minutes West Ham got their equaliser through Kiernan. Ross was able to find Kiernan inside the penalty area and the Irish striker was able to work some space for herself and tuck it past the goalkeeper.
The Irons continued to probe for the remaining 12 minutes of the second 30 minutes, but the London Bees defence refused to be beaten and West Ham were only able to take long shots which were easy for London Bees’ Sarah Quantrill to save.
The final 30 minutes saw Rosie Kmita enter the pitch, as she brought energy and pace down the left-hand side which caused problems for the London Bees defence.
On 64 minutes Kmita put in a great cross to the back post to find Kiernan, but the header went inches wide of the post.
Both sides were starting to struggle as the heat played its part, and with this being the first game of pre-season the Hammers were looking to work on their fitness after a long summer.
West Ham continued to push for a winner but could not find one as the first game of West Ham United Women’s pre-season came to an end, finishing 1-1.