West Ham Ladies moved level on points with top of table Portsmouth Ladies with a 2-1 away win over Plymouth Argyle Ladies on Sunday.
Two first-half goals sealed all the points for the Hammers after their long away trip and they held off a very late comeback from Plymouth to move closer to the top of the FA Women’s Premier League Southern division.
Gemma Shepherd scored both goals for West Ham, her first a close range finish after seven minutes and then her second a well taken thirty yard shot six minutes later to double West Ham’s lead. Despite having more chances in the second-half the away side couldn’t add to their lead and held on till the 93rd minute when Plymouth’s Natasha Knapman scored a consolation goal for the home side.
West Ham only trail leaders Portsmouth on goal difference, though their closest rivals do have a game in hand on the Hammers. The two teams meet in a fortnight in West Ham’s next game, a match that already looks important in the race for promotion and a chance for the Hammers to move to the top of the league.
Elsewhere in the division West Ham were able to capitalise on their other close rivals at the top, Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies and Colchester United Ladies, playing out a 2-2 draw. Gillingham Ladies beat Tottenham Hotspur Ladies 1-0, leaders Portsmouth beat Keynsham Town Ladies 2-0 and Queens Park Rangers Ladies drew 2-2 with bottom club Millwall Lionesses.
