West Ham Ladies started their pre season campaign with a emphatic win over Plymouth Ladies, the team included a number of trialist all of them did enough to impress new manager Julia Setford.
The Hammers went in front after only three minutes when Becky Merritt fired in a left footed drive from eighteen yards, but it was Plymouth that looked dangerous on the break and from their corners.
Hammers keeper Kelly Cooper made a number of quality saves in both halves that kept the visiting strikers frustrated.
Just before the half hour Carly Roache double the lead with another long range shot that took a slight deflection on the way to the back of the net.
Plymouth pulled one back before half time but the Hammers where beginning to take more control of the game the longer it went on.
Two quick second half goals by West Ham secured the win, first Holly Griffin ran onto a through ball and headed over the advancing Plymouth keeper, then two minutes later a penetrating run down the right flank by Zoe Marshall opened up the Plymouth defence and her cross was colleted by Becky Merritt who fired in number four with her lethal left foot.
With only six minutes remaining Kayleigh Xidhus rounded of a fine move down the left wing which saw new girl Katrina Duncan weave herself into space before crossing for Xidhus to side foot home the fifth.
Next up Tottenham Hotspur Ladies at Thurrock FC on 25th July kick off 2:00pm
