Gilly Flaherty admitted that losing to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday has left a sour taste after West Ham United women’s team were beaten in their first-ever match at London Stadium.
Goals from Rianna Dean and Lucy Quinn saw Matt Beard’s Hammers defeated by Spurs in their inaugural contest at the home of West Ham United; the first-ever Barclays FA Women’s Super League match to be played at the stadium.
Captain Flaherty spoke before the game about how the team had to make the occasion count and claim three point and was disappointed to be on the receiving end of a frustrating loss on Sunday.
The skipper expects better from the team and says it is important the side picks up points very soon.
This West Ham team is the best West Ham team I’ve played in, but there’s no way we should be playing like that and getting a result like this.
Gilly Flaherty
“We’re disappointed, we’re frustrated, and deflated,” Flaherty said. “It’s really hard because I said at the start that we don’t want to come here to London Stadium and remember it as the time we got beat by Spurs.
“It’s hard to put into words how gutted we are. This West Ham team is the best West Ham team I’ve played in, but there’s no way we should be playing like that and getting a result like this.
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“Spurs were on the front foot from the first minute and they were up for the fight. We didn’t match it. We could have all the chances in the world and, if we put those chances in the net, we could be three or four goals up. But then they get their second and they killed the game.”
One major positive from the day was the 24,790 supporters at London Stadium; a second-highest ever attendance for a WSL match.
Flaherty was thrilled to play in front of so many supporters and hopes the West Ham United fans at London Stadium will make the trip to Rush Green Stadium for more women’s matches in the future.
She added: “You’re talking just under 25,000 fans. For that number of fans to come out and support us, and stay to clap us at the end, is amazing.
“We’re a part of the West Ham family and it’s just gutting we couldn’t get the result. Hopefully a few of them will want to come to watch us at Rush Green Stadium.”
