West Ham United Women

On Saturday afternoon at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Manchester United missed the chance to close the gap at the top of the Women’s Super League to three points as they were held by West Ham United to a 0-0 draw.

The Hammers came into this game on a three-match unbeaten run which included draws against Manchester City and Chelsea, and they had the first opportunity of the match in the 3rd minute when Eva Nystrom headed a free kick wide of goal.

The visitors, who had won their last two league games as well as the FA Cup semi-final last weekend, first effort at goal didn’t come until the 18th minute when Grace Clinton’s half volley flew over the crossbar.

A minute later, United went close to taking the lead when Celin Bizet’s shot from 8-yards hit the woodwork before the ball was cleared.

After a fantastic run where she turned Maya Le Tissier inside out, Riko Ueki’s cross was headed clear by United’s defence as the half-hour mark approached.

At the other end, Hinata Miyazawa’s shot from outside the area was blocked by Shelina Zadorsky before Elisabeth Terland’s strike was saved.

In the 32nd minute, Terland had a good chance to give the visitors the lead but headed the wrong side of the post from close range.

United had another chance shortly after when a whipped in free kick was deflected wide of her own goal by a Hammers defender.

A dangerous corner from Gabby George for the away side clipped the top of the bar before going over.  Leah Galton then saw her header saved by Kinga Szemik towards the end of the first half.

The first chance of the second half came in the 47th minute and went United’s way when Terland’s header was saved low down.

Clinton’s half volley from 15-yards for the visitors went wide in the 56th minute.

Szemik pushed away United’s substitute Melvine Malard strike in the 66th minute as they had another chance. 

The Hammers own substitute Seraina Piubel put in a good cross which was caught by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.  Katrina Gorry’s shot from distance took a slight deflection into the United States international goalkeepers hands.

West Ham’s WSL Player of the Month for March, Shekiera Martinez, strike from 20-yards flew over the crossbar in the 74th minute.

A minute later, Clinton’s fierce shot from 25-yards sailed over the bar for the visitors.  With nine minutes remaining, Terland headed over.

Martinez tried an acrobatic effort at goal for the hosts which came to nothing.

Malard’s shot from 12-yards didn’t find the target for United in the 83rd minute.

Both sides were having opportunities in the closing stages with Piuble having the next one for West Ham.

As the match entered stoppage time, play on the pitch got a bit frantic with Ueki’s the long-range strike for home side going well over.

Terland’s shot was blocked for United before Piubel saw an effort saved at the other end.

These turned out to be the final chances of the match as neither side could break the deadlock and they took a point each. 

Line ups

West Ham United (3-4-2-1): Szemik, Nystrom, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Mengwen, Siren, Gorry (c) (Brynjarsdottir 79’), Hanshaw, Martinez (Pavi 88’), Asseyi (Piubel 62’), Ueki

Unused substitutes: Walsh, Smith, Harries, Saez, Denton, Ademiluyi

Booked - Mengwen

Manchester United (4-1-4-1): Tullis-Joyce, Riviere, Le Tissier (c), Turner, George (Sandberg 64’), Miyazawa (Janssen 83’), Bizet, Clinton, Toone (Williams 73’), Galton (Malard 64’), Terland

Unused substitutes: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, Mannion, Awujo, Naalsund

Booked – Turner, George

Referee – Harrison Blair