Hawa Cissoko was beaming at the full time whistle on Sunday.
West Ham United women's team had just picked up their first points of the season in their second game of 2023/24, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Broadfield Stadium.
And Cissoko had just played a part in keeping a well deserved clean sheet, as they rode the waves of pressure that came from the home side in the 10 minutes of additional time that had been added at the end of the second half.
Before that, the Irons had really impressed at the other end, beginning with Kirsty Smith scoring her first goal for the Club with 12 minutes on the clock, as the Scot reacted quickest to squeeze home a rebounded Riko Ueki strike.
More chances came and went for the Irons, but after half time, they added to the lead. Lisa Evans floated a delicious free-kick onto the head of Ueki, with the Japanese forward notching her first goal in Claret & Blue, to ultimately seal the game for Rehanne Skinner's side.
Cissoko believes that the win against the Seagulls showed of the spirit that the team have built heading into the first matches of the season.
"We came to the game with the right mindset," she told The Women's Football Show at the full time whistle.
"We had a meeting before the game where defenders said that they would keep a clean sheet and strikers said that they would bring the goals and that's exactly what we did out on the pitch.
"And so we are really happy because we worked hard for each other. We feel like we really showed the spirit of the team out there."
Cissoko and her teammates recorded just the second win in 14 matches against the Seagulls, and they did by executing a game plan which involved intensity and good organisation.
The 26-year-old French defender said that she hoped that the fans enjoyed watching the performance in that stands or at home on The FA Player.
"To be honest, although we felt confident [at half time], they had us worried as well because they did work hard from the first minute of the game to the last.
"And so it's good for us because although Brighton worked hard, we put bodies on the line and took the three points home.
"So I think it was a good game and I hope the fans have enjoyed watching it."
Cissoko was appointed vice-captain ahead of the 2023/24 campaign beginning, with Mackenzie Arnold named as captain. Both have been at the Club since July 2020, and have played under all four West Ham United managers in the Club's professional era.
And she admitted that she believes that the spirit of the team has changed over that time, and that the group of players and staff that are currently at the Club are all focused on one goal; working hard for one another to bring results.
"I think the spirit of the team has changed. Macca [Mackenzie Arnold] said to us after the game that since she's been at West Ham, she has never seen the team play for each other like we are doing this season ever before.
"This season, everyone has each other’s back, we work together and we all put the work in for each other.
"Our new players like Emma Harries and Riko [Ueki] have taken on the spirit of the team straightaway. It just works when everyone is in it together, even all of the staff. I can't tell you how happy I am to be part of this team," she said.
Next up, the women's team will face Charlton Athletic in the Continental Tyres League Cup! Purchase your tickets by clicking on the graphic below!
