West Ham United Women v Reading Women
Barclays Women’s Super League, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Sunday 23 October 2022, 3pm BST
West Ham United Women are back at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they look to make it back-to-back wins in the Barclays Women's Super League for the first time this season.
Paul Konchesky's side are still buoyed after a gritty 2-1 win over Aston Villa last Saturday, and are now looking to continue their climb up the table when the Royals visit East London.
Reading are yet to put a point on the board so far this season, but a battling performance against Arsenal last Sunday showed that they can causes issues for the best in the division.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of another exciting contest.
Tickets…
You can purchase your tickets for the game against Manchester United online until 1pm on Sunday.
After that time, tickets will be available from the Ticket Office at Chigwell Construction Stadium, which will be open from 1.30pm on Sunday, priced from as little as £13 for Adults and £5 for Juniors!
How To Follow
Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on the FA Player, with coverage beginning just before the scheduled 3pm kick-off.
You can also follow the action across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reactions for you after the final whistle.
Travel…
Fans attending Sunday’s fixture at the Chigwell Construction Stadium should note that parking not available at the ground, and supporters are advised to make use of public transport.
If driving to the ground from the north, leave the M25 at Junction 27 and take the M11 towards London. At the end of the M11 continue onto the A406 towards Docklands (A13) and London City Airport. At the intersection with the A13, turn onto this road in the direction of the Dartford Crossing.
At the junction with the A1306, leave the A13 and join the A1306 towards Dagenham. At the third set of traffic lights turn left just before the McDonalds into Ballards Road. At the end of this road you will come to a large roundabout.
Turn left and proceed up Rainham Road passing Dagenham East tube station on the left and Victoria Road is a quarter of a mile further on, on the same side of the road.
If driving to the ground from the south, leave the M25 at Junction 31 and take the A13 towards Central London. Exit the A13 onto the slip road, signposted Dagenham/Dagenham East. At the end of the slip road at the double roundabout turn right, then going under the A13. At the T-junction turn left onto the A1306. At the second set of lights turn right onto the B178.
At the end of this road you will come to a large roundabout. Turn left and proceed up Rainham Road passing Dagenham East tube station on the left and Victoria Road is a quarter of a mile further on, on the same side of the road.
If travelling by London Underground, take the District Line to Dagenham East. Turn left as you come out of the station and the ground is clearly sign posted and only five minute walk away.
Team News
Manager, Paul Konchesky will be without Jess Ziu and Lucy Parker with both sustaining long-term injuries last time out against London City Lionesses.
If you missed it, the Club provided an injury update from Sports Therapist, Jackson Bradley at the beginning of October.
Abbey-Leigh Stringer is also a doubt for the weekend, having not played since the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at the end of September.
Hawa Cissoko will also be unavailable after being sent off in the victory over Aston Villa, with he defender serving the first of a three match ban.
Guvna B visits Chigwell Construction Stadium
We're delighted to have Rapper and influencer Guvna B with us at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The West Ham fan will be conducting interviews with Lucy Parker (Before KO) and Pride of Irons Co-Chair, Jo Bailey (at half-time) at the match!
The Opposition
It has been a difficult start for Reading, who are winless in their first three games in the Barclays Women’s Super League this term.
An opening day loss at Manchester United was followed by defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal, although Reading’s performance against the Gunners last time out showed Kelly Chambers' side is heading in the right direction.
A former Reading captain, Chambers’ playing career was ended by an ACL injury in 2012. She first took over the Royals in 2013 and guided the club to promotion from the third tier.
After Jayne Ludlow, who was appointed following Reading’s promotion to the second tier, left to manage Wales, Chambers was re-installed in the dugout. What followed was nothing short of remarkable.
The 36-year-old took a group of players working part-time to promotion. Last season, Reading secured another middle-table finish – a placing that has become commonplace for the Royals since their promotion to the WSL in 2015.
But since finishing fourth in 2017-18, the Royals have seen a slight downward trajectory under Chambers. Consecutive fifth placings in 2018-19 and 2019-20 have been followed by seventh and then an eighth-placed finish in each of the last two seasons.
And while the start has not been ideal for a team refreshed by six new signings in the summer window, their battling performance against Arsenal last time out means Chambers will be confident Reading can improve on that eighth-place finish this time around, despite their start to the campaign
