West Ham United’s hopes of reaching the knock-out stages of this season’s FA Women’s Continental League Cup were kept alive thanks to a 3-1 Group D victory over Lewes.
Leanne Kiernan’s finish and Kenza Dali’s double, all netted in the first period, was enough for the Hammers to claim the win over the Rookettes, who scored through Chloe Winchester on 78 minutes.
Early on, it was clear that West Ham were desperate to impress in front of the 652 spectators at Rush Green Stadium who had braved the cold on a Winter Wednesday evening.
Dali was the first to test Lewes’ Faye Baker, forcing the shot-stopper into a fine save on eight minutes when she turned Cecilie Redisch Kvamme’s cross towards goal at the near post.
Galabadaarachchi was next in line to shoot, seeing an effort held, before the Australian youngster’s quick feet set up a chance for Lehmann, with the Swiss attacker turning just wide.
Kiernan’s first effort of the evening was easily saved by Baker but the No8 made no mistake the second time. Galabadaarachchi squared to her attacking colleague, and Kiernan’s finish was tidy at the near side.
Just five minutes later, the Irons had a second. Once again, Galabadaarachchi was at her brilliant best. A skilful move, and the forward was in. Charley Boswell could only bring her down, and Dali did the rest, coolly converting from 12 yards.
Dali’s second, five minutes before half-time, killed the game as a contest, as the French midfielder clinically tucked away from the edge of the area.
The introduction of Academy graduate Wiktoria Kiszkis at half-time for goalscorer Kiernan saw a slight change in shape, with the Irons happy to contain their FA Women’s Championship opponents.
Lewes threatened from a corner, with Courtney Brosnan called into action to denying a headed effort.
A fourth seemed certain for the Irons just after the hour mark when Katharina Baunach’s excellent corner found Galabadaarachchi, but the forward’s effort was cleared off the line. Brooke Hendrix was on hand to follow up but, somehow, the away side scrambled her shot away for another corner.
Dali was searching for her hat-trick and the midfielder saw a powerful effort go just over the cross-bar, while Lewes found the net with 12 minutes left to play through youngster Chloe Winchester after a swift counter by the away team.
The 3-1 win, combined with Chelsea's 5-1 victory at home to Tottenham, means West Ham's quest to reach the quarter-finals of the Continental League Cup will go until the last game in Group D.
West Ham United: Brosnan; Flaherty (c), Hendrix, Vetterlein; Redisch Kvamme, Longhurst (Middag 61), Dali, Baunach; Lehmann (Leon 61), Kiernan (Kiszkis 46), Galabadaarachchi
Subs not used: Moorhouse,
Goals: Kiernan 24, Dali 29 (p) 40,
Lewes: Baker; Quayle (Powell 33), Cleverley, Hayes (King 70), Jones, Noble, Boswell (Donovan 46), Winchester, Lane, O’Rourke, Savva
Subs not used: Taylor, Rowbotham, Rood, Timoney
Goals: Winchester 78,
Attendance: 652