Hashtag United v West Ham United

West Ham United Women named a youthful line-up with a host of Academy players as they were beaten 3-1 by Hashtag United.

It was a chance for many of the Club's U21 WSL Academy side to get some minute in the tank, in what would act as the teams opening match of pre-season.

Mixed in were a number of first team players, with the likes of Jess Ziu, Sophie Hillyerd and Grace Garrad also starting at Parkside.

It was almost the perfect start for the east Londoners – Ziu, who was making her first appearance in Claret & Blue since arriving from Shelbourne raced down the left-hand side, before firing the ball across for Trialist C, who smashed a shot off the post.

A couple of minutes later and the game was forced into a long stoppage as Trialist A picked up what looked like a serious injury and was carried off the field of play on a stretcher.

The Tags nearly opened the scoring with 30 minutes gone in the contest, but Hillyerd was alive to the danger, stretching down to her left to deny Kelly Wealthall from outside the area.

The home side would take the lead seven minutes later, with Emma Samways finding the back of the net after her initial effort hit the post, with the rebound falling kindly for her.

Ziu was a constant thorn in the Hashtag backline, but she couldn’t fashion a noteworthy chance as the Irons went in behind at the break.

In the second half, the Tags started as the stronger side, Sasha Adamson was able to bundle the ball over the line from close range to extend their lead.

Alex Hennessy almost pulled a goal back with 30 minutes of the tie remaining. After good close control, the young forward hit a fierce effort over the crossbar.

Adamson fired in her second and Hashtag’s third of the night – finding the net from range after her effort beat Hillyerd.

Rebecca Chitolie-Porter grabbed a consolation goal with ten minutes remaming. She did well to get onto the end of a flick from Ademiluyi, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home

The young Hammers were mostly second best in Essex, but they take valuable minutes in the legs from the clash, which ended 3-1 to the home side.

West Ham United: Hillyerd. (O’Hanlon 71), Garrad (Boughton 71), Jarvis, Brosnan (Collyer 46), Trialist A (Moore 15), Trialist B (Chitolie Porter 46), Flannery, Boughton (Husseyin 46), Ziu (Kaur Bath 64), Hennessy (Walsh 64), Trialist C (Ademiluyi 71)

Attendance: 346

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