Spurs triumph as almost 25,000 turn out for the Women’s Super League at the London Stadium

West Ham United Women 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur Women

A SIZABLE CROWD of approaching 25,000 turned out to see West Ham United Women and their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts go head-to-head in the inaugural FA Women’s Super League fixture to be staged at the London Stadium.

The fact the sides were creating a piece of history certainly wasn’t lost upon the players. Hammers German international defender, Laura Vetterleins, expressed her excitement ahead of the game, explaining: “This is everything a little girl would dream of.

“When I started playing football, I dreamed of playing in a big stadium like this. Now it’s a dream come true and I can’t wait.”
Going into the game the sides sat in fifth and sixth places respectively, each with a win to their name from three league outings. And as league positions suggested, there was very little between the capital rivals.

Genuine clear-cut chances came at a premium during a cagey opening period. As the heavens opened, Rosella Ayane fizzed over from distance as Spurs – neat and tidy – enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. Kate Longhurst – firing into Becky Spencer’s midriff – providing the Hammers best opportunity during the opening moments.

Rianna Dean was a whisker away from a telling touch to Ayane’s angled attempt. But ten minutes before the break, the same combination handed Spurs the lead – Dean diving headlong to meet Ayane’s pinpoint cross Courtney Brosnan in the Hammers’ goal unable to prevent the ball whistling into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Martha Thomas was thwarted by a combination of stopper Spencer and Hannah Godfrey as West Ham rallied immediately after the interval – Meanwhile, Brosnan used her feet to good effect – producing a breathtaking save to deny the busy Ayane as the North Londoners looked to kill the contest.

Adriana Leon passed up a golden opportunity to level – heading over from close range after Alisha Lehmann had picked her out from the right. Then, Spurs defender, Godfrey herself nodded off-target after arriving unchallenged at the far post.

Hammers substitute, Kenza Dali, was a fraction away with a low, left-footed attempt, while Thomas somehow missed the target from three yards after Leanne Kienan had fashioned an opening – the home side displaying ever more urgency as they searched for a way through.

It could be argued that West Ham deserved something for their second half toil. But it was not to be. Having weathered the storm, Lucy Quinn rattled home Tottenham’s second seven minutes from time – this after the Hammers rearguard had failed to deal with the initial ball in, deep from the right.

West Ham United Women are next in action on Sunday, October 13 when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Women’s Super League at Crawley Town FC (2pm). Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur Women face Manchester United at Barnet FC on the same date (2pm).

Yellow Sports Brian Jeeves is at the London Stadium for the FA Women’s Super League clash between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United: Courtney Brosnan, Cecilie Redisch Kvamme, Gilly Flaherty (Capt), Alisha Lehmann (Leanne Kiernan 69’), Martha Thomas, Katharina Baunach, Kate Longhurst, Adriana Leon (Jacynta Galabadaarachchi 61’), Cho So-Hyun, Tessel Middag (Kenza Dali 46’), Laura Vetterlein Subs not used: Anna Moorhouse (GK), Erin Simon, Brooke Hendrix

Booked: Cecilie Redisch Kvamme (foul)
Goals: None

Tottenham Hotspur: Becky Spencer, Ria Percival, Josie Green (Capt), Anna Filbey, Chloe Peplow, Rianna Dean, Siri Worm (Ashleigh Neville 80’), Kit Graham (Angela Addison 89’), Rosella Ayane (Lucy Quinn 71’), Hannah Godfrey, Rachel Furness Subs not used: Chloe Morgan (GK), Sophie McLean, Coral-Jade Haines, Megan Wynne

Booked: Rosella Ayane (foul)
Goals: Rianna Dean 35’, Lucy Quinn 83’

Referee: Abigail Byrne
Assistants: Martyn Holmes and Jordan Martin
Fourth Official: Andrew Humphries

Attendance: 24,790

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