Mackenzie Arnold feels West Ham United were unfortunate to not come away with at least a share of the points in Sunday’s defeat to Reading.
Lauren Bruton scored the only goal of the game in the first-half at Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium, but the Hammers created a number of chances, only for Royals goalkeeper Grace Moloney to deny the Irons every time.
Kenza Dali saw a penalty efforted saved in the second period while Adriana Leon and Kate Longhurst also both went close on more than one occasion to netting for the home side.
I think we deserved a lot more than the loss we’ve got. Unfortunately, for their goal, we switched off, but I felt we dominated for the majority of the game.
Mackenzie Arnold
Despite the loss, Arnold believes West Ham’s efforts more than merited at least a draw and feels the focus must now switch to being more clinical in coming matches.
“I think we played quite well, to be fair,” The shot-stopper told West Ham TV. “I think we deserved a lot more than the loss we’ve got. Unfortunately, for their goal, we switched off, but I felt we dominated for the majority of the game.
“I think the game became quite transitional and it opened up a lot in the middle of the park. Reading were able to capitalise on that when we switched off. There’s a lot of things we can work on to fix that. We just need to tighten that up and then, finish off our chances, and we’re in a good spot.
“We just have to focus on the next game now.”
The Australian international has played in all three of West Ham’s matches so far this season and is relishing the challenge of English football.
With two matches to come this week in a busy period for the Hammers – an away Continental League Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion before a trip to play Everton in the Barclays FA WSL – Arnold is confident a first win of the campaign is just around the corner.
“Sunday was a bit of a wet and rainy one, so I’m starting to get used to that,” she added. “I’m really enjoying playing here, playing with these girls and playing in England, so hopefully we can get our first win of the season soon.”
