West Ham Ladies History Made and the Women's Super League

West Ham Ladies made club history on Sunday by winning their first national trophy since forming 26 years ago, the FA  WPL Plate, and also took another giant stride closer to seducing the FA into accepting their bid for WSL status. The representatives from the FAWPL may have been impressed with the skill, fitness, professionalism and work rate of the Hammer’s Ladies, but as the criteria for exclusive membership to the newly formed league includes none of these attributes, they will still have been wringing their hands at the excellent media coverage they offered and the money that would be available to be injected into their league. . 

This was indeed the West Ham Ladies Show.

To be fair the West Ham United media team put the FA to shame on covering the game, a game the FAWPL deemed to play in a stadium, which according to my unresponsive satnav, was in the middle of fucking nowhere, had goal posts leaning back at a 75 degree angle and pitch that had been played on just two hours previous. They had dressed the stadium up with a few banners screwed to the hoardings, a plastic patio table to present the medals from and a kind of archway to enhance the photographs that were to be taken. The FAWPL own media coverage looked non existent. There was a bloke getting in the way of my camera taking photos of the presentation with an iPhone but he could have been with the Luton Ladies contingent. Other than that, nothing. Apart from myself. 

It was a final and on the way up the M1 I was wondering whether I would have a good enough vantage position to take photos without blocking anyone’s view. I needn’t have worried, I had both ends and the stand opposite to the grandstand to myself. Tell a lie…. there were three other spectators and six ball girls as well, but almost to myself. 

Who cares? 

The players, the club and their friends and families care…. but who else? 

The FAWPL? The press? The fans? 

I was debating whether to do write up of the match because of work commitments I’m a bit late to the party. I searched the internet and there was no mention of the game except from West Ham Ladies media. No pictures, no reports. 

Who does care? …. apart from Danny Dyer …

Karren must've had a better offer

West Ham United had provided the Ladies with two highly experienced photographers, as well as entrusting them with their 4K video equipment instead of the handy cam they usually have to make do with, which wasn’t ideal but a big step up from filming the game with the training pitch security cameras. They’d also laid on a luxury coach for travelling supporters (friends and family), and even MD Jack Sullivan had endeavoured to make the laborious journey up there. There was no sign of the bloke with the helicopter though, or Karren Brady and Michail Antonio who were supposed to be ambassadors for the Ladies team, but had only managed to see one game so far between them. In fact on the day of West Ham Ladies last final, the Baroness was tweeting trying to get a freebie from BA after her luggage was mislaid, instead of wishing the girls good luck.

  Other notable absentees were the rest of the West Ham Ladies  (Dev) squad  who didn’t have a game that day, (Steph Bent and Mollie Kmita were the only ones that made the trip) Molly Clark who had scored the winner in the Women’s League Cup Final and medal winner new signing Vyan Sampson. 

The 100 strong crowd, mostly West Ham supporters by the sound of it, applauded the teams as they lined up for the traditional pomp and circumstance of a cup final. It’s a real shame that West Ham didn’t bring their own PA system as well, as we tried to decipher the unintelligible garble from the stadium announcer which had more to do with his poor equipment rather than his thick brummy accent. Apologising profusely beforehand for any mispronunciations, he read out the team sheets, although he could have been announcing train cancellations for all that we knew. I half expected him to say “Mind the gap.” But he had saved his ‘piece de resistance until last when he requested that ‘Everybody be upstanding for the National Anthem.’  For an occasion that had all of the atmosphere of a school sports day, it seemed a little bit over the top, but a slice of patriotism now and again can’t hurt, I thought. Just as we were puffing out our chests, God save the Queen crackled out of the speakers like someone trying to tune in an old valve radio to listen to Norman Collier. It painfully emitted about four bars, before a large buzzing sound heralded it’s premature conclusion, much to the amusement of the whole congregation. ‘Sorry about that…. I’m not used to the new equipment,’ crackled his apology……. well I think that’s what he said.

The players didn’t care about any of that. Both teams were fully focussed on the job in hand. Luton ladies had a game plan, their formation was a mirror image of West Ham’s, like for like. And it worked. For 25 minutes they had frustrated the Hammer’s with their dogged determination and smart goalkeeping from Kezia Hassal. Enter Amber Stobbs with her almost predictable ‘bend it like Beckham’ volley into the top corner of the net to break the hearts of Luton’s finest. Before they had time to regroup Kelly Wealthall had taken advantage of some sloppy defending and pounced to net West Ham Ladies second. Luton Ladies were playing with one up front and were finding it hard to get anywhere near Connatser's goal, as were most teams  these days.

After the break Zoepfl took just 2 minutes to score West Ham’s third, striding through the Luton defence before unleashing a low shot past keeper Hassal. Luton did manage to threaten the West Ham goal on occasions, mainly from corners but were no match for the WPL side. Hassal made a string of saves that would earn her player of the game, the best one being a one handed tip over from a normally unstoppable Stobbs thunderbolt. Captain Kmita scored a fourth after Hassal had rushed out of her area to tackle Wealthall, the ball fell kindly to Rosie who took two touches and then curled the ball over a defender and into the empty net. It was the goal of the game. In the dying embers of the game the tiring Luton defence allowed Zoepfl too much space and she bagged her second of the match. Not the perfect ten performance of the previous week against QPR, but comprehensive 5-0 victory, another trophy, and another feather in their peacock tail, in front of the watching eyes of the FAWPL. 

Wheeler scores the Hammer's first                

The following week saw the home demolition of Portsmouth Ladies. Pompey are no slouches and they are the only team in the league this year that actually played some football in the WHL half. In fact if they had scored the penalty they were awarded at 5-1 they could have made things very uncomfortable for the Hammers. However Hammer’s keeper Cara Connatser pulled off an incredible save, tipping the ball onto the post to deny them.

   Even though the game was played in a mini heatwave the West Ham Ladies closing down of the opposition showed no signs of relenting, a testament to their training and fitness. Rosie Kmita scored another sublime goal to add to her one against Luton, and Jasmine Auguste scored with a brave header….. her first for the club, followed by an Arnie-esque celebration which could probably use a bit more work. The 7-1 scoreline didn’t flatter the Ladies at all…. they are on fire.

Portsmouth...out for the count

There were two landmark occasions to follow during this week. The Ladies team were invited to the West Ham United awards night for the first time and even had their own player award which went to Ellie Zoepfl, the graceful American player who has a great season and has chipped in with some excellent goals. 

The other landmark occasion is the partnership with Barking Abbey School, to provide extra expertise training for 16-18year olds which could lead to further higher education with the UEL, another West Ham Ladies partner. Keith Boanas, who I tipped to be West Ham Ladies new manager back in December before General Manager Ray gave herself the job, is the Barking Abbey head coach. He would be a good fit for the ambitious Hammers as he left his post last year  at Watford Ladies because of their total lack of ambition. 

   The strange thing about the partnership is the fact that last summer West Ham Ladies decided that they didn’t want a 16-18 year old team and made the previous season’s unbeaten quadruple winning girls team have trials to keep their place at the club. Only two players survived the cull, Kelly Wealthall and Andreya Ezekiel-Meade (now with Tottenham), the rest were released as they were told they were not good enough even for the development squad. The coaches of the rejected players kept faith in them and resigned, and reformed under the banner of Barking Abbey Girls U18s, who had a very successful season.  

 So just a year after destroying the academy that should have been the future of West Ham Ladies, Ray has announced “We are very excited about this partnership and by the prospect of opening a flourishing and successful Academy.”  

This massive backtrack by Ray will hopefully let the girls get a chance to prove her wrong and get another bite of the cherry. The arrangement would also conveniently facilitate a smooth transition for experienced coach Boanas to take the reins, if West Ham Ladies succeed in their application to the WSL. 

WHL have just two more dances,one against Lewes, then the big show stopper versus QPR before the FA's decision is made.

 Personally I think it's in the bag

COYI

West Ham Ladies Win the Cup by Myles

Joy. Sheer joy. 

The look on Jasmine Auguste’s face as she kept opening and closing the box that contained her winner’s medal as if in disbelief or maybe to make sure it was still there. The Cheshire grins of Mackie and Wheeler’s long suffering fathers. Children hustling and bustling, vying for position to be snapped with their heroines

Those are the lasting images I have of Wednesday night’s battle against Charlton Women. And it was a battle, with West Ham Ladies fighting right up to the final whistle as if their lives depended on it. Like a machine. Unrelenting. Merciless. No quarter was given to the vanquished. 

This was West Ham Ladies night…

…………………………………………………………………………

There was a buzz about Aveley’s ground. West Ham Ladies supporters were out in force. Lewes’ own Rookmeister was there with ex-West Ham Ladies legend Danni Ritson, Claire Rafferty was in attendance fuelling my own speculation about a possible recruitment, WPL star Jay Blackie was watching accompanied by the Basildon Ladies Mafia as was West Ham Fan TV’s Ryan Archer. Charlton super fan Alan Watts was also there hoping to ring his bell a few times.

There were no surprises in the team selection for West Ham Ladies, the team picks itself these days. There was a surprise inclusion on the bench though. Ex-Arsenal defender who has been out of contract since mid February and yet to be unveiled as a West Ham player… Vyan Sampson. She might now qualify for the Guiness book of records as the only player who has a winner’s medal having never played for the club or played in any of the games of the competition. In contrast Molly Peters and Chloe Burr were conspicuous by their absence as was Jack Sullivan MD.

Undoubtedly this was the most steely performance I’ve ever witnessed from the Hammers, and even the disastrous start didn’t waver them, Kit Graham providing Cara Connatser with the first shot in anger she’s had to face, but there was little the Hammer’s keeper could do to keep it out. Charlton seemed happy to play keep ball in their  own half trying to slow down the game, but the West Ham Ladies were having none of it, with Ellie Zoepfl gliding past players as if they were training cones

Ellie Zoepfl

and Duracell bunny Rosie Kmita terrorising defenders with her blistering pace. Kelly Wealthall ran herself into the ground playing the thankless lone striker role keeping busy three defenders, allowing the midfield to surge forward. Stobbs, Georgiou and Clark were the midfield enforcers allowing Charlton little or no space to work in, forcing them to resort to the long ball which was efficiently dealt with by the now upwardly mobile West Ham back four. The hammers work rate was off the scale and reaped it’s rewards  when Andrea Georgiou found herself in hectares of space and fired a shot over the debutante Charlton keeper into the top corner from 30 yards. It was the last kick of the half.

Charlotte Gurr one of Charlton’s star players after being pole-axed twice in the first half didn’t make the second half. Not quite serendipity, but every little helps. Swords were drawn once again, West Ham Ladies continuing to have  the upper hand and after being bullied for last few seasons they have become the bullies. No more Mr Nice Gal. Wince inducing tackles were the order of the day. Football is a contact sport, and the final was turning almost into a full contact sport. Captain Amber Stobbs seems to have gotten nasty. A kind of female Joey Barton. Complimenting her ball skills with sailing close to the wind snapping tackles, in your face aggression and time wasting petulance. I calculated that a less lenient referee would have awarded her seven yellow cards (slight exaggeration). 

West Ham Ladies controlled the second half with an arrogance. A beautiful arrogance. As the Charlton team seemed to be getting more leggier than a Tiller Girls performance at the London Palladium, the Hammers  were growing in strength. However it was Charlton who came closest to scoring next when Pepper peppered West Ham’s goal from a free kick only to see it magnificently saved by Connatser.

West Ham Ladies were rewarded for their efforts though in the 70th minute when Molly Clark successfully converted a free kick from just outside the area. Her curling shot flying over the wall and over the head of keeper G

With victory within their sights West Ham Ladies chased down every ball with supreme gusto, frustrating Charlton, who were unable to play their usual dominant game which has made them title contenders this season. Charlton had one last half chance to take the final into extra time but Graham fluffed her lines.

The final whistle blew. The cup was raised. Champagne flowed (mainly down the Isthmian League dignitary’s back).

               

It was not just the end of the game…..it was the start of a new era for West Ham Ladies. 

And if West Ham Ladies are still searching for a permanent manager they need to look no further than within the club.

Myles Smith has worked wonders since being appointed assistant coach. A dedicated young man with no ego, he fits the bill perfectly.

COYLI

West Ham Ladies Final Reminder

It was my first West Ham Ladies match for quite a while on Sunday. Holidays, inclement weather and a nasty bout of the Aussie Flu had prevented me from witnessing any of their games so far this calendar year. In my absence they had been doing rather well. No defeats. Twenty six goals scored… only two conceded. Qualified for two, yes two, cup finals and had an admirable draw against title pretenders Crystal Palace Ladies. I hoped that I wasn’t going to take the role of albatross by showing my face at Rush Green.

                                                     …………

So where has it all been going right? 

Firstly …a  new face always helps and when De Carnys and his assistant Ewen were pointed in the direction of the door, in came Myles Smith as assistant coach who had been promoted from the West Ham Ladies development team and he seems to have made a difference. He also manages the UEL team that has just won the cup and league double. Success, as they say, breeds success.

Myles Smith at the centre of things

Secondly …, and I mean no detriment, is that the fixtures have been mainly against teams of a lower calibre with the exception of Crystal Palace Ladies ( which apparently West Ham Ladies coulda shoulda won). I’m not suggesting for one nanosecond that they were all easy peasy, but instead the games served as a platform for the team to play with more freedom allowing them to grow in strength and confidence. To cultivate a winning mentality, which was something I hadn’t yet witnessed in the three years I’d been covering their games. Conversely the early season’s fixtures were mainly against the tougher teams in the league and was hugely disappointing apart from a wondrous rainy night at The Valley where they beat Charlton Ladies 3-1.  (I didn’t go to that one either …. there is undoubtedly a pattern forming….)

Definitely a season of two halves.

Thirdly…. there has been a steady influx of quality players. The gradual introduction of new signings has certainly given the place a lift and now there is a real competition for places, especially in midfield where they have accumulated a plethora of talent. 

Lastest midfield acquisition Molly Clark

Fourthly …. tactically they’ve gone from playing the ball out from the back as if running in treacle and inviting pressure, West Ham Ladies are shifting the ball quickly in 4-5-1 formation which morphs into a 4-1-5 formation in the blink of a false eyelash. 

Fifthly….. (is that a word? Fourthly looked a bit odd as well…oh well) a lot of the players are playing for secondary teams, therefore getting more training, coaching and game experience time than their predecessors. Some of West Ham Ladies squad appear for the UEL team (which has just won their league and ) and others for Barking Abbey who have just won the under 18’s English Schools National Football Championship for the second year running. 

Two finals. A cup final and a plate final, which is a nice, as in the recent past the team has on more than one occasion ended up with the wooden spoon. 

          The more prestigious final of the two, the WPL Plate is an FA  national competition for 35  3rd and 4th tier teams. West Ham Ladies road to the final consisted of wins against QPRL (that memorable family day in front of over 1000 fans), Brislington Ladies, Keynsham Town Ladies and Hull  City Ladies, scoring 19 goals and conceding just one. The final is to be played Hednesford Town's Keys Park Stadium in Cannock against Fylde Ladies from the Northern Premier League. WHLs recent run of league form will surely make them favourites to win a national trophy for the first time in their 26 year history.

Unless there is a major upset of catastrophic proportions West Ham Ladies’ opponents in the … wait for it … goodmove.co.uk Bostik Isthmian League Women’s Cup  (invitational ) will be Charlton Women, whose semi final against  Burgess Hill Ladies has been postponed a few times due various weather conditions and burst water pipes. The final promises to be a tasty affair the Bostik league teams all came unstuck against both West Ham Ladies and Charlton Women, conceding 47 goals and scoring none. Not even one. Nil in fact.

And so to the match. The game kicked off 15 minutes late. The Chichester Ladies had arrived on time with a reputation for being tough opponents but unfortunately their kit hadn’t. It was stuck in traffic. A lesson to be learned there. Chelsea and England star Claire Raffery was there to watch as a spectator .... or maybe..... we can all dream....

There were two debutantes for West Ham… Cara Connatser, a goalkeeper from the US of A and Molly Clark, a recent signing from Portsmouth. The bench was a bit of surprise to me, with five not so long ago first team regulars, Dayna Chong last season’s player of the year, Chloe Burr last season’s top scorer, Mollie Kmita, Molly Peters and Jasmine Auguste having to sit out the game. Disappointing for the quintet but a testament to the quality of players coming in.

The game was won in midfield where the usually tenacious Chichester Ladies were out-tackled and out-thought by the Hammers and I really can’t remember Connatser having a save to make, and only looked in any sort of danger when she contested the same ball with her own centre back Chenise Austin. The team now seem to have a more physical presence than before with Molly Clark  Andria Georgiou protecting the back four, aided and abetted by Ellie Zoepfl (I still can’t pronounce it) Amber Stobbs and Rosie Kmita. Kelly Wealthall plays the lone striker role but the fluidity of the team ensure that she is never on her own. A controlled performance and two goals from Amber Stobbs won the game for the Hammers to keep their unbeaten run going, but with WSL1 beckoning next season (probably) I wondered how many more players would have to be changed to bridge the huge gap between the two divisions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Cara Connatser: Hard to judge her debut performance as she had very little to do. I was going to say she had a quiet game but she’d spent the whole time shouting instructions to organise her defence. She maybe needs to learn the English lexicon of football terminology.

Chantelle Mackie (left): Ever reliable. One of the few survivors of last season to keep her place in the team.

 Hannah Wheeler: Ever present for three seasons now. Survived Little-gate, Hunt-gate and is the only first team player left from that night at Upton Park. I’ve seen her tears from the dark days and it’s good now to see her joy. Put in a solid performance.

 Chenise Austin (below): Very solid athletic
 performance apartfrom the aforementioned
 misunderstanding with Connatser.

My ball!

               Leanne Mabey: Probably centre back is her best position, but with
               Wheeler and Austin’s grip on those places she had to settle for left
               back. Solid performance.

Andria Georgiou: Excellent at breaking up play with those           Molly Clark: Uncompromising defensive midfielder, an excellent              niggly type tackles, keen to get forward..                                      debut, even tried to tackle the West Ham Ladies photographer

Amber Stobbs: Excellent leader on the pitch 
and a cert to keep the captain’s armband, 
scored her trademark thunderbolt and another 
to seal all three points. 

Brave in the tackle as well.

Ellie Zoepfl: Another battler on the pitch, strong in the air with a touch of finesse. A good performance.


















Kelly Wealthall (right): Although she didn’t score, another excellent performance that belied her tender age, heaps of energy and a keen football brain. Plays also for Barking Abbey with Sindi Kanto.

Rosie Kmita (above): Played with her usual exuberance with a smile on her face. She’s a vital cog as her enthusiasm is so infectious…

PS. The attendance of about 60 was a little disappointing but I suppose it is endemic of this level of women’s football… 

PPS: A big thank you to the lovely steward(ess?)  (one of the Upton Park originals) who made me a coffee at half time.