Lewes 2-1 West Ham United Women
Pre-season Match, The Beacon, Sunday 7 August 2022
West Ham United Women were on the end of a 2-1 defeat to Lewes in their latest pre-season outing.
The Hammers travelled down to the South Coast for their fourth pre-season fixture ahead of the new campaign.
In the early stages, both sides were battling for control on what was a difficult playing surface at The Beacon.
After six minutes if back and forth, Claudia Walker almost opened the scoring – Lisa Evans did well to whip in a good ball into a dangerous area, but the strike lacked power and was collected by the Sophie Whitehouse in the Lewes goal.
Evans was the liveliest player out there for the Hammers, and was causing issue for the left-hand-side. She forced a corner which was swung in by Yui Hasegawa – it was met by Grace Fisk, who’s powerful header found the back of the net and opened the scoring.
Walker had the chance to double the scoreline from the penalty spot after Jess Ziu looked to have been fouled, however, her effort was well saved by Whitehouse.
Ziu was a livewire on the right-hand side, and almost found the perfect ball for Kirsty Smith to nod home, but the ball whistled past her.
But Lewes would turn the match on it’s head just before the break, with Emily Kraft firing in goals in the 40th and 41st minute – two powerful finishes that Arnold couldn’t get near.
It meant that the Hammers went in behind at the break.
In the second 45, Konchesky’s team went on the front foot as they looked to level the game. Ziu headed the ball home from close range after Hasegawa’s strike was initially saved – but the linesman raised his flag and ruled the equaliser out.
Grace Garrad was next to try her luck, with her thunderous strike being palmed away by Whitehouse.
But the intensity was left wanting as the second half continued, and the Irons navigated the rest of the contest with very little threat.
The Hammers will now turn their attention to next Sunday’s pre-season fixture against Charlton Athletic.
West Ham United: Arnold, Garrad, Fisk, Longhurst (Houssein 46), Ziu (Atkinson 61), Stringer, Brynjarsdóttir (Flannery 61), Smith, Hasegawa, Walker, Evans (Hennessy 50).
Subs not used: Hillyerd.
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