We came from behind to make it two wins out of two in the Barclays Women’s Super League with a 5-1 victory away to West Ham United on Friday night.
West Ham opened the scoring by way of a Daphne van Domselaar own goal, but it didn’t take long for Frida Maanum to pull us level.
It was Maanum who made way for Stina Blackstenius at half-time, the latter making an instant impact when she scored our second, before Caitlin Foord headed in the third from a Mariona Caldentey cross.
Three became four when Olivia Smith found Alessia Russo, who smashed the ball into the top right corner late on, before the latter made it five from the penalty spot.
FIRST HALF
As the heavens opened in Dagenham, the weather reflected the mood for us when a deep Shakiera Martinez cross was spilled onto the far post and in by Van Domselaar.
We responded well though, Maanum trying her luck from distance before Mariona curled high and wide following a one-two with Katie McCabe.
In the 21st minute, we were level, Russo holding up the ball well and allowing Beth Mead to find Maanum, who tucked it into the bottom left corner for 1-1. That was Mead’s 52nd assist in the WSL, comfortably the most in the competition.
The Hammers must be sick of the sight of Maanum in the 18-yard box following her double against them in pre-season just over two weeks ago.
SECOND HALF
Renee Slegers made one change at half-time, Stina Blackstenius coming on for Maanum.
We were on the front foot from the off, Mariona’s cross headed wide by Russo, before the two linked up again and Russo flicked the ball back into the path of Blackstenius who made no mistake, nestling it beneath Megan Walsh for 2-1.
Foord had the ball in the back of the net again moments later, but the flag was raised for offside.
Mead struck just wide from a Foord cross as we went on the hunt for a third goal, and it didn’t take long to get just that, Foord heading in from a Mariona delivery.
That meant we had six different players making goal contributions throughout the night from an attacking point of view, with Mead, Russo and Mariona providing assists for Maanum, Blackstenius and Foord to score respectively. That record was only going to be added to.
Smith came on for Mead with just under half an hour remaining.
Smith then went for goal from distance and why not after her impressive debut strike against London City Lionesses last weekend? On this occasion, her effort was off target though.
Our next changes came in the 79th minute, Victoria Pelova replacing Mariona and Taylor Hinds coming on for McCabe.
Lotte Wubben-Moy was introduced in place of Steph Catley with two minutes to go as we continued to keep the Hammers at bay.
We put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute, Smith afforded the time and space to find Russo, who leathered it into the top right.
Smith was then brought down for a penalty kick as we entered six minutes of stoppage time, with Russo stepping up to net her brace.
WHAT’S NEXT
We travel even further afield with a trip to Leigh Sports Village to take on Manchester United at 2.50pm on Sunday, September 21.
We’ll then be back at Emirates Stadium for the visit of Aston Villa at 12pm on Saturday, September 27, which tickets are available for.
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