West Ham United Ladies maintained their unbeaten start to the season after drawing 1-1 at Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
The match was held at the Withdean Stadium, used by the men's first team, which gave the Hammers a chance to demonstrate some incisive passing. They came close to taking the lead within the opening minute when Kayleigh Xidhas hooked a shot against the crossbar. Jess Barling was next to threaten as she sent a free-kick narrowly over the bar.
They finally got their breakthrough ten minutes before the interval when a cross from the right found its way to Carly Roache and she firmly drove the ball into the far corner of the net. The visitors continued to push after the break and Zoe Marshall went close after a fine passing move. Brighton rallied, though, and after Toni Anne Wayne had done well to pounce on a loose ball, she was beaten minutes later from close range.
The draw was West Ham's seventh of the season and leaves them third in the table, but, more importantly, stretches their unbeaten start to 12 games. They are next in action on Sunday when they play host to Fulham.