Shelina Zadorsky was pleased to be able to help West Ham United women’s team to a positive performance in her debut match against Chelsea in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round.
Whilst the Hammers couldn’t find a way to progress against the current holders, eventually losing 3-1 at Kingsmeadow – but they did lead in the tie for almost 50 minutes and impressed with their endeavour and determination to keep Chelsea from playing in behind.
After a gruelling 90 minutes, it was in extra time where the Blues managed to get in front thanks to goals from Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nüsken – sealing their spot in the fifth round.
Zadorsky and her teammates reflect with pride about their performance at the full-time whistle, with the Canadian expressing the confidence that can be taken into upcoming Barclays Women’s Super League matches.
Whilst the defender cannot feature in the upcoming clash against her parent club Spurs this Sunday, the defender is excited for what is to come from Rehanne Skinner’s team.
"There were a lot of positives in the performance and it was just really good to be out there and get minutes with the team," Zadorsky said after making her debut.
"You saw us creating chances and I will always look at the small detail as to how I can be better, but there was a lot of positives for the team overall today.
"We have to take confidence from this game, just being able to get a relatively early goal and build on the way we defend."
Zadorsky had seldom featured for Spurs during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, but was thrown straight in for her debut against Chelsea on Sunday. She lined up alongside Amber Tysiak and Shannon Cooke, with the trio defending well throughout the contest to limit the home side from getting in behind and creating opportunities.
The champions did manage to eventually find a way through, and the Ontario native reflected on the improvements that the team can make heading into the league action for the remainder of this month.
"I think we can learn from small details and we can capitalise more and try and keep a clean sheet, that’s what we want to do.
"Obviously Chelsea, credit to them, they’re a great side and they create a lot of chances but I think we can take a lot from this game moving forward."
