Claudia Walker was frustrated that West Ham United Women couldn’t secure all three points against her former club, Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon.
The Hammers took the lead early in the second half when the 25-year-old found the top corner of the net after a mazy run from the half-way line.
However, the east Londoners failed to add to their lead in the spell of dominance that followed, and Birmingham hit back from a corner kick – with Louise Quinn eventually bundling the ball over the line.
And despite looking like the Hammers might win the game late on, efforts from Gilly Flaherty and Katerina Svitkova didn't find the back of the net in the dying embers - meaning Olli Harder's side had to settle for a point.
The forward reflected on a physical match at the full-time whistle.
“It was a really tough one today,” Walker told whufc.com. “We obviously wanted the three points today.
“We were on top for a lot of the game, and we should have put away more of our chances. But it was a great effort again and a great fight to the end, we didn’t give in, and we were looking for that late goal to get the three points, we just couldn't find it.”
Walker’s second goal of the season was executed with class and precision. After picking up the ball on the half-way line, she advanced on the Birmingham defence before unleashing a strike from around 25-yards that Marie Hourihan had no chance of stopping.
The former Liverpool and Everton striker had to wait for a chance to fall her way at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, but she is pleased to be able to contribute for the team on an attacking front.
“To be honest I don’t really know what happened, I just thought get the ball, head up and get a shot off. I think it was my first shot of the game so I'm really happy to get back on the score sheet, but it would have been great to come away with the three points.
“I think it gives me more confidence the more goals or assists I get. Just contributing to the team in that way gives me a lot of confidence, so hopefully I can bring more and more each game.
“We’ve got a lot of creativity in the midfield now, we’ve got some unbelievable players, they put it on a plate for you sometimes. It’s great to play with them,” she said.
The Hammers are in Conti Cup action in their next fixture, as they make the trip over the River Thames to face London City Lionesses at Princes Park on Wednesday evening.
And Walker is hoping that the team can bounce back from not being able to secure all three points on Sunday and start Group E in the best possible way.
“I think we need to take all the positives out of today and tweak a few things and hopefully go and get the win on Wednesday.
We played against London City [Lionesses] in pre-season, so we know a little bit about them. It’ll be a tough match, but we want to start strongly in our group and be in a good place for when we return after the international break.”
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