Verena Hanshaw and Shekiera Martinez last played together at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, representing Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga. Now, the duo are beaming from ear to ear as they celebrate a day of firsts following West Ham United women’s team’s 2-0 victory at home to Everton.
Austria international Hanshaw, who joined the Hammers on Tuesday, was given a spot in Rehanne Skinner’s starting XI at Chigwell Construction Stadium, starting in defence alongside Amber Tysiak, Camila Sáez and Anouk Denton.
The experienced left-back was confident and assured in her Claret and Blue debut, helping the Hammers keep their first clean sheet since early November.
“I was very thankful for the chance to start from the beginning,” said Hanshaw. “I really enjoyed it. The weather was tough to play in, but I thought it was a great game from us.
“I enjoyed it [her first WSL match] a lot. I liked the speed of the game, the toughness, the physicality and the strength. It was hard, but I enjoyed it.
“For me, for the first time [playing with the other defenders], it was good. Of course, there are always a few things we can do better, but I think for the first game together it worked out really well.”
Further up the pitch, Martinez was named in a front four that caused the Everton backline problems all afternoon in east London, as the Germany U23 international linked up well with Viviane Asseyi, Seraina Piubel and Riko Ueki.
It was France international Asseyi who teed up Martinez to net her first goal for the Club after just nine minutes in Dagenham, whipping in an inviting corner that the 23-year-old attacked with conviction.
Although she made it look easy on the pitch, Martinez joked: “My eyes were closed! So I just waited for it [to hit the net]. But yes, I'm very happy to score my first goal for the Club.
“I have to say, I really liked to play with them [the front four]. I think we know how each other wants to play, and I'm really happy to play with them.
“We'll take the good work from this win into the next game, and we'll keep going and working hard.”
Speaking on how delighted she was to be reunited with Martinez, Hanshaw said: “It was so much fun to play with Shekiera again, I just like the way she plays.
“I know what she likes, what she prefers and how she wants to get the ball. It's cool!”
