West Ham Ladies’ push for promotion from the FA Women’s Premier League Southern division took a knock on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw with Gillingham Ladies at home.
The Hammers slipped down to third in the table, two points behind second placed Portsmouth Ladies but now seven points behind leaders Colchester United Ladies. Despite having two games in hand on Colchester, next week’s trip to the leaders will be a crucial game for both teams and especially West Ham as they look to close the gap on their rivals.
The home side made the best possible start against Gillingham, taking the lead in the 30th minute when Jess Barling’s corner bounced off a defender and into the net. But the away side equalised just before the break when Nat Crinean found a way past Nikki Duncan in the West Ham goal.
The Hammers tried to push for the winner in the second half but the Gillingham goalkeeper and a late goal line clearance from a defender denied the home side the win and two more valuable points.
Elsewhere in the league West Ham’s closest rivals both won to keep up the pressure at the top, Colchester beating Plymouth Argyle Ladies 2-0 whilst Portsmouth beat Queens Park Rangers Ladies 4-0. Fourth placed Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies beat Millwall Lionesses 3-2 and Tottenham Hotspur Ladies hit four past Keynsham Town Ladies.
