Having recorded four straight defeats in the Barclays Women’s Super League, Everton would look to bring an end to their run of poor form as they hosted West Ham United at Walton Hall Park on Sunday afternoon.
EVE: Brosnan; Stenevik, Finnigan, Vanhaevermaet; Galli, Kühl, Wheeler, Hope; Madsen, Snoeijs, Payne
WHU: Arnold; Zadorsky, Tysiak, Cissoko; Smith, Gorry, Hayashi, Shimizu; Ziu, Ueki, Asseyi
Rehanne Skinner’s Hammers were arguably the stronger of the two sides at Walton Hall Park, with Australian international Katrina Gorry sending an effort wide of the base of the post as an early indication of the visitors’ threat.
Their best chance of the half came on the stroke of half-time though, as Riko Ueki saw her speculative shot from the edge of the box fly wide of the post by mere centimetres.
It was, for the large part, a game that lacked quality in front of goal – and the 997 fans inside the ground were seemingly destined to witness a goalless stalemate until Everton’s star Italian duo arrived on the scene in style.
Aurora Galli’s free-kick was lofted into the box with just seven minutes remaining on Merseyside, and the delivery was headed home by her Azzurre colleague Martina Piemonte, who had done well to catch out Mackenzie Arnold.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe duo combined again for the Toffees’ second goal mere minutes later, with the roles reversed this time as Piemonte released Galli on the right flank. After cutting inside, her curling effort nestled beautifully in the back of the net – ending Everton’s dismal run of four consecutive league defeats.
But there would still be time for the hosts’ fortunes to turn, and a serious injury to subsititute Karoline Olesen in stoppage time looked to dampen Brian Sorensen’s day when the young Danish midfielder was forced off on a stretcher.
Everton will tentatively await the results of Olesen’s scans, but can now enjoy a two week break ahead of their trip to Manchester City’s Joie Stadium due to the upcoming international window. West Ham host Manchester United when the domestic season resumes.
