West Ham were no match for an in-form Manchester City side who waved goodbye to their American duo Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelles but not before they got themselves on the scoresheet as they cruised into the next round of the FA Cup.
Story of the match
Within the first few minutes, both sides had a chance to go in front. Manchester City were forced to rely on goalkeeper Karima Taieb who pulled off a couple of spectacular saves. Lauren Hemp fizzed the ball just wide a few moments later.
An Ellen White goal in the 16th minute put the hosts ahead however seconds later the Hammers were level with a goal for Anouk Denton. A corner for West Ham in the 21st minute was almost City’s downfall as the ball was lost in their own area which required a goal-line scramble to clear their lines.
A few chances came and went for both sides before Janine Beckie eventually found the back of the net and unlike her two previous attempts, she had beat the offside trap in the 38th minute.
Embed from Getty ImagesA bright start from the Hammers had Man City looking shaky at the back and it appeared there could be a way back into the tie. However, just as West Ham sensed blood, Rose Lavelle made it 3-0 on the 74th minute with a quick run that left keeper Mackenzie Arnold on her heels.
Fellow USA international Sam Mewis almost made added a fourth goal just minutes later but Arnold was equal to her effort. Despite Arnold’s best efforts, a fourth goal appeared inevitable as Mewis buried saw the ball nestle into the corner in added time.
Lauren Hemp capped off the scoring with a fifth goal merely seconds later which left Arnold with no chance as a rocket of an effort found the back of the net.
City had to weather a storm of pressure early in the second-half but Taylor’s side ran out comfortable 5-1 winners and ended the season on a high.
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayer of the match
Lauren Hemp was once again outstanding. The winger was a threat throughout the game and it never seemed in doubt that the forward would net a goal herself. Hemp has been outstanding throughout the season and her class was once again on show during City’s final game of the season.
Starting XI’s
Manchester City – Taieb, Bronze, Morgan, Greenwood, Stanway, Walsh, Coombs, Weir, Beckie, Hemp, White (c)
West Ham – Arnold, Cissoko, Flaherty (c), Fisk, Vetterlein, Pacheco, Van Egmond, Longhurst, Denton, Brynjarsdottir, Dali
