Latest News

Gilly Flaherty preferred to focus on the positives after West Ham were beaten 2-0 by Brighton, in their opening WSL match on Sunday.

Seemingly well in control of the match, it was the controversial dismissal of defender Hawa Cissoko which effectively handed the game to the hosts.




With Brighton scoring the resulting penalty and then capitalising on some defensive bad luck for the visitors to make it two-nil, and despite a second half rally from the Irons, Brighton held firm to take the win and the three points.

Flaherty told West Ham's website: “I think the red card changes everything in the game, We dominated in the first period before the sending off and I think it was unlucky to be honest.”

“We showed great character though as a team to play the way that we did in the second half. They didn’t really look like they were going to score in the second half, and we were able to limit them to very little despite being a player down.

“There are lots of positives, but overall, we’re frustrated that we’ve come away with nothing.”

Yet things could have been very different as, up until the sending off, the visitors looked well in control.

“That first 30 minutes is probably the best that we’ve played during the whole of pre-season," added Flaherty. "We just had a really good flow about our play and everybody executed their role and understood what they needed to do out on the pitch.

“We had some big chances in that period and I think that just proves how important it is to take your chances when you’re on top.”

Fortunately, the Hammers don’t have long to wait to try and return to winning ways as they face Aston Villa in front of the Sky cameras this weekend. And Flaherty is ensuring her side keep things in perspective.

“When you look back at my sending off against Arsenal, we went onto concede nine goals," she said.

"Perhaps that might have been a worry out there for the fans this afternoon, but we managed to keep a clean sheet in the second half and I think if you’d ask Brighton they’d say that they were lucky to come away with all three points.

“You can look at if and buts but unfortunately today wasn’t our day, but I think we can come away immensely proud of our performance and take that into next weekend against Villa.”

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.