West Ham United women’s team v Southampton
Women’s League Cup Group C, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Wednesday 11 December 2024, 7pm GMT
It’s a quick turnaround for West Ham United women’s team from Sunday’s seven-goal thriller against Crystal Palace, as Rehanne Skinner’s side prepare to take to the Chigwell Construction Stadium turf once more when Southampton visit in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday night.
Turning their attention from Barclays Women’s Super League to Group C action, the Hammers are looking to secure their spot in the quarter-finals tomorrow night, targeting their third win from as many matches in the competition.
Skinner’s free-scoring Hammers secured a 4-1 victory at London City Lionesses in the previous round of Women’s League Cup fixtures, as the Saints eased past rivals Portsmouth in a 4-0 rout.
But while West Ham are buoyed from their 5-2 success over the Eagles last time out, Southampton will be hoping for a better showing than their 3-0 defeat at home to Bristol City in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday if they are going to stand a chance of booking their spot in the final eight.
With the Irons determined to continue their fine home form and mark their last clash of 2024 in Dagenham with a win, here’s everything you need to know about tomorrow night’s battle with the Saints.
Tickets...
Come and support your West Ham United at home for the final time this year! Tickets can be purchased HERE, priced at £6 for Adults and just £2 for Children.
How To Follow…
You can watch tomorrow night's clash on the WSL YouTube channel by clicking the link HERE.
Alternatively, you can follow everything across our social media channels, as well as the live blog on our website and app, while highlights and exclusive reaction will follow after the final whistle on whufc.com.
Travel…
The most convenient way to reach Chigwell Construction Stadium is by public transport.
Dagenham East station on the London Underground's District line is situated about 500 metres from the ground. On exiting the station, turn left, and the ground is in Victoria Road, which is the fifth turning on the left-hand side after about 400 metres. You will see the stadium at the end of the cul-de-sac.
For those travelling by bus, fans can take the 103 from either Romford railway station, which is served by Greater Anglia, TfL's Elizabeth line, and London Overground, or Rainham station, which is served by c2c rail services. The 103 has stops on both sides of Rainham Road South, just north of Victoria Road.
Supporters using public transport are advised to check their journeys before they travel, using resources such as TfL’s Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website if travelling on the rail network.
No parking is available at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Street parking in the local area is available, but motorists should take note of restrictions.
Opposition…
Barclays Women’s Championship side Southampton have made solid work of their 2024/25 campaign so far, sitting sixth in the eleven-team standings but only four points off top-of-the-table Birmingham City.
With her side suffering just two defeats from their nine league outings, head coach Remi Allen has impressed since taking charge in the summer. Despite this being Allen’s first full season as a head coach, she took on the role boasting an abundance of experience.
The former Reading, Leicester City and Aston Villa midfielder took charge of London City Lionesses from March last term, helping them escape a relegation battle to secure their status in the Women’s Championship for another season.
The 34-year-old departed Hayes Lane following the expiry of her short-term contract and later joined the Saints. With a 16-year playing career to her name, which concluded with a player-coach role at Birmingham City, Allen has also plied her trade as an Assistant Coach for England Women’s Under-23s, as part of the England Elite Coach Programme.
During her playing career, Allen was coached by both West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner at Leicester City and Assistant Manager Rick Passmoor during her time at Leeds United.
Allen welcomed a host of new arrivals during her first transfer window as a head coach. Shot-stopper and England youth international Fran Stenson joined from fellow Women’s Championship side Sheffield United alongside her former-Blades teammates, defenders Tara Bourne and Rachel Brown.
Young forward Freya Gregory was added on loan from WSL outfit Aston Villa, whilst Rachel Rowe and two-time Women’s Championship winner Aimee Palmer joined from Rangers and as a free agent respectively.
Moving the other way, Ella Morris said goodbye to Southampton after a seven-year stay on the south coast, having played a key role in the club’s journey to the Women’s Championship.
Also departing were Laura Rafferty, Lexi Lloyd-Smith and Megan Wynne, while former Saints skipper Rosie Parnell announced her retirement from football.
The passing of the armband went to defender Jemma Purfield, who has certainly made a positive impact on and off the pitch at the south-coast club since arriving in the summer of 2023.
While at Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2013, the left-back became the youngest-ever player at the time to make a WSL debut at 16 years and two months.
Since then, she has plied her trade in the top flight for Liverpool, Bristol City and Leicester City, helping the Robins make the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley in 2021, and has been ever-present for the Saints having missed just one match in all competitions last term.
Previous Meetings...
Tomorrow night’s clash will mark the first time West Ham have faced Southampton since the women's team turned professional in 2018!
