Jacynta Galabadaarachchi has hailed the support shown to the women’s team by the West Ham United fans after they packed into Rush Green Stadium for Sunday’s win over Birmingham City.
Almost 1,500 supporters attended the first Barclays FA Women’s Super League match of the season at Rush Green this past weekend, and witnessed the Irons claim a first three points of the campaign courtesy of Adriana Leon’s finish in the 27th minute.
Sunday’s match was Jacynta Galabadaarachchi’s first competitive start for the Hammers and the Australian youngster loved stepping out in front of the fans at her new home.
The 18-year-old is hoping to see even more West Ham supporters pack out London Stadium when the team take on Tottenham Hotspur there in less than two weeks.
“It was awesome to play in front of these supporters,” the No15 told whufc.com. “The fans are amazing. They give us such loud support and they show us they are there, cheering us on. I love them and I love the support they give us.
“I’m hoping to see a lot of the fans at London Stadium for the Spurs game, and it’s a great opportunity for us as well.”
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Galabadaarachchi’s efforts on the wing helped Matt Beard’s West Ham to victory on Sunday and the teenager was thrilled to make a winning home start in the Barclays FA WSL.
The forward felt West Ham dealt with Birmingham’s physical threat well, and deserved to take the victory.
She continued: “It was amazing to win. I’m really happy with the girls. It was a tough game, but we made a lot of good, goalscoring opportunities and we’ve come out with the win.
“Birmingham are really aggressive and physical but we’re also physical and I think we matched them. We work really hard. Each week we work really hard too and we worked hard in pre-season, so I think we deserved the win.”
Having moved across the world to join West Ham, Galabadaarachchi is feeling settled in east London and is loving life with her new team.
She added: “I think I’m settling in well. It was really hot for this game, so it felt like I was back in Australia. But the girls all treat me like family, and I think I’ve blended with the group well!”
