West Ham United Women’s supervisor Olli Harder was in ambivalent temper following his workforce’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium.
A month after the Hammers had been defeated closely by the identical opposition within the FA Women’s Continental League Cup semi-finals at Kingsmeadow, Sunday’s encounter was way more evenly contested and – on one other day – may need even produced one other consequence.
As it was, two objectives at the beginning of both half – bullet headers from Sam Kerr and Bethany England respectively – had been sufficient to safe the Blues three factors in east London.
In that respect, Harder was understandably upset, however mirrored on his workforce’s efficiency with a measure of satisfaction in opposition to the Women’s Super League leaders who, at instances this season, have been dominant on home and continental footballing fronts.
“It was clearly a disappointing consequence,” he defined. “We attempt to play each recreation to win or gather factors, however we obtained zero at this time. Overall, nevertheless, it was a marked improvement.
“The three weeks away [with the international break] have been good. We’ve labored exhausting and I believed we had moments within the recreation the place we might’ve made extra of it. If something, we’ve taken positives away from it.
“I believed apart from these two objectives, and a fantastic save from our ‘keeper, they didn’t actually hassle us an excessive amount of. From that facet, I was happy, however clearly it’s regarding once you’re conceding early objectives as a result of it does put you on the again foot.
“However, at the very least on this facet, we responded nicely and didn’t find yourself 4 or 5 behind at half-time, which is what has occurred beforehand. For us to recuperate from that and get our composure again and follow the gameplan was glorious.
“For us, clearly proper now, the most important hurdle for us shifting ahead is momentum. We have to create some momentum within the workforce. Obviously performances are good, however outcomes will assist transfer that prepare ahead. It’s optimistic in that facet, however for us, if we wish to shut the hole additional on this kind of workforce, we will’t be proud of simply shedding 2-0.”
Despite a keenly fought encounter in east London, West Ham had been at instances indebted to their shot-stopper Courtney Brosnan, the No18 making her first league begin of the season rather than the injured Mackenzie Arnold – and producing some tremendous saves.
Courtney was incredible. To be trustworthy, she does a lot of that in coaching on a day-to-day foundation, so her efficiency at this time is a illustration of how good she is as a goalkeeper
Olli Harder
One Brosnan save specifically within the second half to disclaim England was merely very good, because the Republic of Ireland worldwide by some means shifted her momentum sufficient to divert a close-range end over the bar.
Speaking following the match, Harder issued an replace on the Arnold’s health standing, and praised Brosnan for her efficiency.
“Mackenzie has a knee harm,” Harder clarified. “It occurred in coaching in an innocuous incident.
“Courtney was incredible. It was lucky for myself to have a ‘keeper of that high quality out there. To be trustworthy, she does a lot of that in coaching on a day-to-day foundation, so her efficiency at this time is a illustration of how good she is as a goalkeeper – I’m very happy.”
Harder additionally clarified the health statuses of Lois Joel and Adriana Leon, who had been absent from Sunday’s teamsheet.
“Adriana obtained injured within the USA when she was away with Canada,” he confirmed. “Lois injured her foot in coaching.
“Mackenzie will likely be out 4 to 6 weeks, I’d think about. The different two are more likely to be lacking nearly the complete season – hopefully they’ll come again a few weeks earlier than the top, however we’d choose to overbudget than underbudget.”
Harder concluded by taking the time to reward his workforce’s total show within the contest.
“This was a first rate soccer match,” he surmised. “Sometimes once you’re taking part in in opposition to groups like Chelsea – and we’ve seen this earlier than, not simply in opposition to West Ham – it could actually get very one-sided and it’s not a nice illustration of a soccer match.
“Here, at this time, was a good illustration of a soccer match – two groups, one a bit higher when it comes to high quality, honest play to Chelsea, however we caught within the recreation, made possibilities and issues for them as nicely.
“If we had followers within the stands right here at this time, I think about they’d be fairly happy with West Ham but additionally ladies’s soccer.”
