West Ham Women move on to Reading in the FA WSL after thumping Millwall

LEIGH, GREATER MANCHESTER - AUGUST 25: Brooke Chaplen of Reading celebrates scoring her side's first goal with team mates during the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup match between Manchester United and Reading at Leigh Sports Village on August 25, 2018 in Leigh, Greater Manchester. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LEIGH, GREATER MANCHESTER - AUGUST 25: Brooke Chaplen of Reading celebrates scoring her side's first goal with team mates during the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup match between Manchester United and Reading at Leigh Sports Village on August 25, 2018 in Leigh, Greater Manchester. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

West Ham United Women head into their first FA Women’s Super League this week, after thumping Millwall 4-0 in the Women’s Continental League Cup.

After years of the Women’s team not even being officially linked with the men’s team, the West Ham United Women will be in their first FA WSL match. With some strong signings made over the summer, the Hammers will be confident. Especially given their run of form coming into their season opener.

Apart from a 3-1 loss to Arsenal Ladies in League Cup, the Women have won all of their matches since the start of August, scoring 17 goals and conceding only 1. After thrashing rivals Millwall Lionesses at the weekend, players and staff are hoping for a top season. Head Coach Matt Beard was very positive after the game:

"“We worked all week on finishing from crosses and playing around the box, so we’re really pleased with some of the goals that we scored. It’s pleasing to get early goals and start like we did, and the other positive is to get a clean-sheet as well”"

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This will be West Ham Women’s first ever WSL match, after a restructuring last season which allowed new teams into the league in order to expand the women’s game in the UK. The club pushed hard to be involved as soon as possible, and made numerous signings over the summer in order to be competitive against the best that the league has to offer. With multiple home nations and European internationals in the side, they certainly have the experience. If they can tap into the strong following of the men’s side and get a new cohort of fans along to their games, they will certainly have the support the improved standard deserves.

The Hammers’ Ladies will take on Reading Women, hosting them at the Rush Green Stadium which allows people to watch the game from as little as £2 on Wednesday evening. If you are from East London and want live competitive football in midweek then you could do far worse than head along there.

With 11 teams in the league, the Hammers are yet to play their first game, with the opponents Reading 2nd. Reading recorded a strong 4-0 win over Yeovil Ladies to sit second behind Arsenal in the table. However due to the summer strengthening and confidence held by those in Claret and Blue, it would be unwise to disregard the Irons as they embark on a new adventure in the