West Ham United Women 1-0 Everton Women: Hammers win first match under Paul Konchesky
- Published
West Ham opened their Women's Super League campaign with a hard-fought victory over Everton in Paul Konchesky's first game in charge.
Scotland international Lisa Evans scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, heading in after Everton failed to clear a corner.
Until then both sides had struggled to create clear-cut opportunities under their new managers.
Everton's best chance came when Risa Shimizu flicked the ball past her own goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold late on.
The Japan defender was one of five players, along with Kirsty Smith, Jess Ziu, Viviane Asseyi and her international team-mate Honoka Hayashi, to be handed their Hammers debut from the start by the former Hammers and Charlton full-back Konchesky.
Konchesky, assistant to Olli Harder last term, saw his team defend stoutly while there were glimpses of promise from France international Asseyi - an exciting summer acquisition from Bayern Munich - and Hayashi, who went close with one fierce 20-yard drive.
It proved a disappointing day for Everton and their highly regarded new manager Brian Sorensen.
While his team dominated possession there was very little end product and it is clear that he will need time to mould them into an attacking force, with the likes of Simone Magill, Anna Anvegard, Claire Emslie and Kenza Dali all departing the club this summer.
Vastly experienced Denmark defender Katrine Veje looked accomplished on her debut at right-back and teenage forward Aggie Beever-Jones took up some excellent positions without threatening.
And Sorensen should also be given some credit for altering the flow of the game towards the visitors with Izzy Christiansen, summer loan recruit Jess Park and new signing Gio all coming on as they chased an equaliser.
