West Ham United Women were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in their final Barclays FA Women’s Super League match of the season.
Stina Blackstenius and Steph Catley scored the goals against a valiant Hammers side that had chances against the Gunners – who ended the day second in the Barclays FA Women's Super League.
The Hammers held on to claim sixth place in the table, their highest ever finish since joining the top division in 2018.
Both sides started with plenty of enthusiasm in the sunshine at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. The visitors were the ones that were creating the chances, but Hawa Cissoko was alive to a lot of the early danger, blocking a shot from Caitlin Foord early on.
Moments later, Mackenzie Arnold had to be alive to deny her international teammate Foord, saving well at her near post.
Beth Mead had an effort well saved by Arnold as the pressure was beginning to build on the Hammers’ goal – but the defence of Cissoko, Gilly Flaherty and Grace Fisk stood firm in the early stages.
But Olli Harder’s team were able to get forward at times – a wicked ball in from Zaneta Wyne almost found the head of Adriana Leon, but it flew over and out of play.
Numerous chances fell Jonas Eidevall’s side, but they couldn’t find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes in east London.
In the second half, the game continued in a similar fashion, with both sides looking dangerous as the entered the final third.
The goal did eventually arrive for the Gunners – substitute Blackstenius had barely been on the pitch for 30 seconds when she slotted home to give her side the lead.
And a minute later, it was almost two. Beth Mead saw her rocket of shot cannon away off the crossbar.
The goal seemed to inspire a flurry of activity from the home side, this time with Vivianne Miedema striking the side netting from close range.
The second goal did arrive on 66 minutes – Catley found the net with another thunderous strike, this time from outside the area to put the away side firmly in control.
The Irons went close to getting back into the game when Flaherty headed against the bar as the game hurtled towards the full-time whistle.
But 2-0 is how the game would finish, as the Irons were applauded off the pitch by their supporters after a memorable 2021/22 campaign.
West Ham United: Arnold, Fisk, Flaherty ©, Cissoko (Garrad 84), Longhurst (Joel 84), Wyne (Svitkova 65), Brynjarsdottir (Houssein 84), Hasgeawa, Yallop, Walker (Filis 81), Leon.
Unused Substitutes: Moore, Stringer, Cairns.
Y/C: Brynjarsdottir 54
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Catley, Mead (Parris 81), Little ©, Miedema (Maanum 90), Walti, McCabe, Maritz, Foord (Blackstenius 59).
Unused Substitutes: Williams, Beattie, Boye, Iwabuchi, Wienroither, Cull.
Y/C: Maritz 5
Goals: Blackstenius 60, Catley 66
Referee: Emily Heaslip
Attendance: 2585
