Preview: West Ham United (A).

City are back on the road with a visit to West Ham United on Sunday, November 5th (3pm).

The Robins are getting closer to picking up their first points of the season, returning from the international break off the back of a strong performance in a narrow 2-1 defeat by Arsenal at Ashton Gate.

Rachel Furness got her first league goal in City colours against The Gunners, finally reaping the rewards for her form this season, while a back-three of Megan Connolly, Brooke Aspin and Naomi Layzell limited Arsenal’s attacking output last time out.

This weekend's meeting with the Hammers is City’s third match-up with a London club already this campaign, having visited Tottenham Hotspur earlier on this season as well as last month's defeat to Arsenal.

"We played West Ham in pre-season and they got in behind us a few times, scored from some crosses, and you can see that they look clinical," said Lauren Smith. "They've got some really strong players in that starting team that can cause problems and are nice and technical.

"They probably haven't had all the results that they wanted just now but they'll be looking to try and build on what they have got across the last set of games, especially that Liverpool one."

Catch the Head Coach's full press conference:

OUR OPPONENTS: WEST HAM UNITED
Founded: 1991
Stadium: The Chigwell Construction Stadium
Nickname: The Hammers
Manager: Rehanne Skinner
Finish Last Season: 8th

Since being integrated into the Barclays Women’s Super League in 2018, West Ham United have established themselves as regulars in the top flight.

In their first few seasons in the WSL, the Hammers have been consistently mid-table and without too much threat of relegation, and also reached the FA Cup final in 2019, eventually losing out to Manchester City.

They have begun this season in similar fashion under the stewardship of Rehanne Skinner, who became the clubs first ever female manager when she replaced Paul Konchesky in May. The East London club find themselves eighth in the division, having lost two, won one and drawn one in their opening four fixtures.

Skinner’s side picked up a valuable point against Liverpool before the international break, drawing 1-1 thanks to a last minute Riko Ueki equaliser.

TICKETS

City supporters are advised to book their seats in the SD Samuels Stand, anywhere between seats 106-122 in rows D-I.

Words: Kory Cook