Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane…..
Just the one solitary goal from Nina Downham in the fourth minute separated the two teams at the end of the ninety minutes in what was a mediocre performance from both sides.
QPR seemed to have more possession as the game was played out in the middle third of the pitch and at times it was the unforced errors that created the chances for both sides.
West Ham’s goal came from a move that started deep in their own half, a clearance by Jo Woodgates was intercepted by the QPR midfield but Nina Downham closed her down quickly forcing the ball to rebound off Becky Merritt and back into the path of Downham who quickly moved to the edge of the box before striking a looping right footed drive that went into the far corner of the net.
Both Becky Merritt and Carly Roache had half chances mid way through the half but both were off target.
On 37 minutes QPR had a corner on the right, as the ball was cleared it came to Mel Bidewell whose powerful header went inches over.
HT 1-0
Five minutes into the second half and West Ham nearly gifted Rangers an equaliser, trying to play themselves out of trouble at the back a back pass to the keeper Toni Anne-Wayne from Jo Woodgates was short and Beth Liles ran onto the ball the collision with Anne-Wayne sent the ball wide and as the ball was crossed with the goal open it was Rosey Sullivan the cleared to safety.
Becky Merritt and Nina Downham still worked hard up front but had to resort to long range efforts that didn’t look likely to succeed
West Ham failed to get the second goal that would have sealed the win so it was a nervous last few minutes with memories of the previous weekends meeting with QPR when they equalised late in added time.
Up next for the Hammers is Barnet at Ship Lane next Sunday 12th Sept. with the second match in their league cup competition.
West Ham Ladies:Toni-anne Wayne, Jo Woodgates, Jess Barling, Carly Roache, Rosy Sullivan, Natalie Grafton, Tracy Duxford, Gemma Shepherd, Becky Merritt , Nina Downham, Clare Rogers.
Subs: Emma Harrison, Ruby Southgate, Sinead Redford
