Head coach Matt Beard has named his starting XI for West Ham United’s SSE Women’s FA Cup Final clash with Manchester City this afternoon.
The Irons will take on City at Wembley Stadium in the Final of the illustrious competition at 5.30pm in what is only the side’s first season as a professional outfit in the FA Women’s Super League.
Beard has now confirmed the eleven players who will start for the Hammers in the Final and the six who will be in the bench for today’s match.
Anna Moorhouse, who missed out on last Sunday’s win over Bristol City due to suspension, is in goal for West Ham, and returns to Wembley after being on the bench for Arsenal in last year’s cup final.
West Ham’s defence sees captain Gilly Flaherty return to lead the team out in front of over 50,000 supporters. The No5 – who has won seven FA Cups in her career – is joined by Erin Simon, Brooke Hendrix and Claire Rafferty in the back-line.
New Zealand record cap holder Ria Percival steps into midfield for today’s match and will be joined by South Korea captain Cho So-hyun and Kate Longhurst. Longhurst, like Moorhouse, was absent last weekend due to suspension, but returns for today’s Final.
PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year nominee Alisha Lehmann starts up front for West Ham. The Swiss international has bagged nine goals and eight assists in all competitions this campaign.
Canadian international Adriana Leon also starts for the Irons on the opposite flank, while Scotland international and West Ham leading goal scorer Jane Ross will lead the line. The No9 has 11 goals in all competitions this campaign.
Beard has named six players as substitutes for today’s match, with experienced shot-stopper Becky Spencer joined by Vyan Sampson among the options from the bench.
Midfielders Lucienne Reichardt and Brianna Visalli, winger Rosie Kmita – who captained West Ham United women to their last trophy, the FA WPL Plate last year – and Ireland international forward Leanne Kiernan complete the matchday squad.
West Ham United: Moorhouse; Simon, Flaherty (c), Hendrix, Rafferty; Percival, Cho, Longhurst; Lehmann, Leon, Ross
Substitutes: Spencer, Sampson, Reichardt, Visalli, Kmita, Kiernan
