For Martha Thomas, there was a feeling of ambivalence following Wednesday’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League match with Reading.
The striker made her first appearance for the Hammers since October, after an injury lay-off, but the return came in a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to the Royals.
Thomas started up front in an attacking West Ham starting XI, which also featured Leanne Kiernan, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi and Alisha Lehmann, but a difficult evening saw the Irons beaten following goals by Jade Moore and Brooke Chaplen.
I just want to kick on, use the 75 minutes against Reading to my advantage and be ready for Liverpool
Martha Thomas
“It’s been frustrating for me to be injured during this spell,” Thomas told whufc.com. “It lingered a bit and it seemed like the injuries came at the wrong time, not that there’s ever a right time. I’m definitely happy to be back fit though.
“It was a tough result for us, especially after the last result as well. We know he have one of the quickest front lines in the league, it’s just whether we can utilise that and, against Reading, we didn’t. We didn’t create any chances which is really disappointing. Something just isn’t clicking, so we need to find out what it is.
“We just have to take our few days off now and clear our heads and bounce back against Liverpool. I just want to kick on, use the 75 minutes against Reading to my advantage, get some training in over the next few days and be ready for that game.”
The Irons will return to training early next week to prepare for the home match with Liverpool on Sunday 23 February, and Thomas is already relishing another outing back in Claret and Blue.
A huge game against the Reds is a big chance for West Ham to return to winning ways, according to the No9, who is backing the brilliant Hammers supporters to be fully behind the team next weekend.
Thomas added: “Liverpool at home is going to be must-win for us, at home in front of our fans. Hopefully the supporters will get behind us, come out and cheer us on against a team that is below us in the division.
“We’ve got to pick up three points against them to get back to winning ways and back up the table.”
