by Staff Writer
Monday, 8th September 2025
Head coach Rehanne Skinner was proud of her team’s performance at Brisbane Road despite watching her team fall to an opening day defeat against neighbours Tottenham.
The Hammers were the better team on the day but a lack of end product saw them fall to a 1-0 defeat after Spurs scored from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the match with their only on target effort of the day.
That was a real kick in the teeth for Skinner, who felt her side deserved more from the game. However she admitted that the team needs to produce more in front of goal in order to start putting points on the board.
"We worked incredibly hard and Spurs didn’t trouble us from open play," said Skinner, reflecting on the disappointing reversal. "It’s disheartening to lose to one moment like that, but if we keep playing with that organisation and energy we’ll win plenty of games this season.
"Obviously we're bitterly disappointed to lose the game in the manner that we have, when the only chance that they've had on target is from the penalty spot. That’s difficult because for us. We did create chances and we've got to put those away."
And Skinner now has to lift her squad for what promises to prove a much tougher test, when the Hammers host European champions Arsenal at Dagenham this coming Friday.
"It would've been a really important point for us on the road as well to start the season," she lamented. "You're obviously really, really disappointed to not come out of it with something, at least a point.
"But based on the positives, our defensive shape and the work-rate from everybody, us getting into the final third was really positive. It's just those finishing touches. We got better [as the game went on], but we want to make sure that we convert that into points."
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