West Ham United were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool FC Women in Monday’s Women’s Super League fixture, courtesy of a Courtney Sweetman-Kirk finish.
The only goal of the game came just moments into the second-half, with the Liverpool No9 turning home from close range after a crossed ball.
The Irons were game for a tough encounter and looked to create a number of opportunities, but couldn’t turn a chance into the back of the net.
Alisha Lehmann struck the woodwork with a volleyed effort, while the Swiss international and Leanne Kiernan both tested Liverpool’s Anke Preuss, but the Hammers were unable to their chances, leaving the Reds to claim the win.
The cold temperature at Prenton Park did not stop the Hammers from looking to take an early advantage. A terrific pass from full debutant Cho So-hyun found Alisha Lehmann, but the Swiss’ powerful strike was well saved.
Adriana Leon also had a great chance in space in the box, but couldn’t get a shot away in the penalty area.
Brianna Visalli’s shot from distance after half-an-hour was also well held by Liverpool’s Preuss, before Leon had West Ham’s biggest chance of the half. With the No19 set to pull the trigger after Jane Ross’ pass, her effort was well blocked.
Kate Longhurst’s header was just wide, but Liverpool had the best chance to take the lead. A long-ranged effort struck the crossbar and bounced down onto the line, with Anna Moorhouse able to clear the effort.
West Ham looked the better of the two sides as the second half begun. Matt Beard’s outfit drove forward with Lehmann firing an effort on goal, which sailed just wide.
However, despite their efforts, it was Liverpool who took the lead. A ball over the top was quickly played into the West Ham area, which Sweet-man Kirk turned into the top of the net.
The Irons kept up the pressure, with Leon attempting an effort from the edge of the penalty area, while substitute Kiernan looked to create a chance moments after entering the fray.
The Ireland striker seemed to inspire even more attacking intent from the away side, in the hunt for an equaliser, with Kiernan seeing a fabulous effort from distance well-saved.
Just moments later, and Lehmann also saw a strike from the edge of the area palmed away. The No7 had another big chance, seeing left-footed volley bounce back off the cross-bar.
Despite the opportunities, West Ham were unable to make the chance count, allowing Liverpool to take all three points.
Liverpool: Preuss; S.Murray, Bradley-Auckland, Little, Robe, Fahey, C.Murray (Rodgers 90), Coombs, Linnett (Babajide 71), Daniels (Roberts 74), Sweetman-Kirk
Substitutes not used: Kitching, Thomas, Purfield,
Goals: Sweetman-Kirk 48,
West Ham United: Moorhouse; Percival, Flaherty (c), Reichardt, Simon; So-hyun, Longhurst (Kmita 90), Visalli (Sampson 86); Lehmann, Ross, Leon (Kiernan 70)
Substitutes not used: Spencer,