Man City Women 7: West Ham Women 1
This was a good performance by Man City Women, but there were still periods in the first half and the opening 20 minutes of the second half where we struggled in the game. Its peculiar to think we can go missing in a game and still run out 7:1 winners, but that is probably in the nature of the gulf in class between these sides. City played well for periods with Nikita Parris scampering down the wing, offering outlets and striking fear into the West Ham defence.
At times Parris resembles Raheem Sterling in that her industry is not always rewarded with goals but that was not the case today. Caroline Weir volleyed in the first goal in the 2nd minute. Parris looped in a splendid back header on 7 minutes to double the lead. I like to think this was by design. Parris notched her 2nd of the game in the 17th minute and this was game over as a contest.
The game dwindled about, lost in a busy midfield battle and I watched the rain, believing winter was coming and summer seemed long distant. I believed in the second half, the game was simply going to be seen out with this scoreline and began to hope West Ham were not going to break through and narrow the gap. I actually felt if West Ham had scored the result may be in danger. I didn’t need to worry.
The Man City Women supporters were in good voice throughout – despite the inclement weather they urged their side on towards victory. They are always a credit to the team and work hard to foster an atmosphere in a CFA stadium which seems curiously empty. I think moving the Womens season to run alongside the Mens has created difficulties for some fans – stretching budgets and squeezing our free time. I hope Man City give some serious thought as to how to fill this stadium because this team needs encouragement to progress.
Georgia Stanway was introduced and quickly found herself on the scoreline. A few minutes later and Steph Houghton powered in a header and all of a sudden West Ham collapsed. It felt as though every City attack was resulting in a goal and the crowd urged the attacks on wards. Stanway got her 2nd of the game – a well taken goal after a nice piece of interplay and then againsnt the script – West Ham scored a consolation goal. Not to be outdone – and in an attempt to restore some balance -the West Ham keeper fumbled a Tess Wullearts shot into the net. This was a bit incredulous – but I guess the ball was slippy with the weather but the shot didn’t appear to be that well struck. It seemed like the ball was just finding a natural resting place in the goal.
So City finished the match in style. 14 shots, 9 on target and 7 goals is a pretty good statistic for any team. I for one hope the goal rush brings some kind of confidence and attacking play back to our side and as players return from injury we move to genuinely challenge for the title and leap up the table from our current position of 3rd. I also hope we add a player of real quality to our team, capable of helping out our younger players and helping cement their team spirit.
Regretfully, despite the result, I am left with the view Man City Women are still in a process of transition. Brighton away next and the opportunity to build upon the performance today and to show me another 7 reasons why I am wrong.