Fernández strike earns London City point at West Ham.
Sunday 29th March | Chigwell Construction Stadium
London City Lionesses recorded a point on the road in a well-contested London derby against West Ham United at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Dagenham.
Jana Fernández’s first Barclays Women’s Super League goal broke the deadlock before Oona Siren equalised for the home side in the second half.
Grace Geyoro, Daniëlle van de Donk and Delphine Cascarino all missed the match due to injury while Nikita Parris was suspended after picking up five yellow cards.
After withstanding some early home possession and pressure against a team searching for points to retain their top-flight status, Fernández gave her side the lead through a fine breakaway goal. Winger Freya Godfrey broke clear from an Irons corner, embarked on a fine marauding run from her own half, feeding Fernandez who slotted past Kinga Szemik.
The goal settled the visitors who began to play with confidence and precision.
That said, clearcut chances were few and far between in and for the remainder of the first half.
West Ham’s best attempt came when Riko Ueki intercepted the ball off Wassa Sangaré, the Irons striker dragged her effort wide of the near post.
Towards the end of the opening period, Isobel Goodwin met a Fernández cross but steered her volley wide of the target.
On the stroke of half-time, West Ham forward Shekiera Martinez controlled well to carve some space, her effort did not trouble Elene Lete.
Martinez was again in the thick of the action at the start of the second period. Katrina Gorry threaded an inch-perfect pass which Martinez met in the box but was closed down well by our backline.
At the other end, England international Poppy Pattinson tried her luck with a speculative effort from distance and Goodwin could have added a second for London City on the hour when she poked an effort wide from Godfrey’s cutback.
Rita Guarino’s side levelled through Siren’s fine strike from distance, as she latched onto a loose ball after London City had headed cleared a free-kick into the penalty area and hit a spectacular volley past Lete.
Godfrey, a regular outlet for the visitors, particularly on the counter-attack, was withdrawn in the 72nd minute after a collision.
Both teams were committed in their approach and searched for a winner as the game opened up.
The lively Goodwin latched onto a wayward clearance, worked her way into a shooting position, Szemik was able to gather.
With four minutes of the regulation 90 remaining, a cross was sent into the London City box by Martinez, Ueki met without directing her header on target. Martinez then let fly from distance moments later.
The closing stages were overshadowed by an injury to London City skipper Kosovare Asllani, who had to be stretchered off after going down in stoppage time.
Speaking after the match, head coach Eder Maestre said: “It was a very tough game as we expected.
“We did have some good chances to score but we need to be more clinical.
“The equaliser was a fantastic goal and difficult to stop.
“It was a very tough day in terms of injuries with Kosovare Asllani and Freya Godfrey coming off and Delphine (Cascarino) being withdrawn just ahead of the match.
“We hope Kosse’s (Asllani) injury isn’t as bad as it looked at the time. At the moment it is too early to say.
“We play to win and hopefully we can win the games we have in front of us.
“It’s our first year in the top-flight, it’s about learnings but we want to keep pushing until the end and finish strongly.”
The result means London City move up a place to sixth in the Barclays Women’s Super League table heading into the April international break.
We return to action on Sunday 26th April, hosting Leicester City at the CopperJax Community Stadium.
Join us at the CopperJax Community Stadium.
Teamsheet: Lete, Fernández, Pattinson, Corrales, Kumagai, Linari (Kennedy 67′), Godfrey (Franssi 72′), Roddar, Goodwin, Sangaré, Marcetto (Asllani 67′, Pérez 96′)