by Staff Writer
Sunday, 10th August 2025
West Ham United Women concluded their pre-season trip to Prague with a 1-0 win over Sparta Prague at the Great Strahov Stadium this afternoon.
In what was the Hammers' first-ever match on European soil, and they came away with a deserved victory. The decisive goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Viviane Asseyi delivered a free-kick into the box, met by Riko Ueki, who headed the ball over goalkeeper Nikola Harantova.
The hosts had started well, moving the ball quickly and looking for gaps, but West Ham’s defence arranged by Shelina Zadorsky held firm to deny any passes coming over the top of the back four.
As the first half progressed West Ham forced Sparta Prague’s goalkeeper into action when Seraina Piubel’s powerful strike from Ines Belloumou’s corner was saved.
Set pieces proved a strong point, with Zadorsky’s header later cleared off the line before Ueki’s breakthrough. Soon after, Asseyi almost set up a second, this time for Zadorsky, but the defender’s effort went narrowly off target.
Keira Flannery also came close, dragging her shot wide from inside the area, while Shekiera Martinez fired just over before the break.
Rehanne Skinner made a variety of changes at half-time introducing Megan Walsh, Anouk Denton, Eva Nystrom, Halle Houssein, Oona Siren and Soraya Walsh, with Ffion Morgan and Verena Hanshaw already introduced in the first half.
Morgan’s pace immediately caused problems, breaking in behind and cutting the ball back towards goal, only for Sparta’s defence to scramble clear.
Despite a flurry of second-half chances and fresh energy from the bench, particularly from Brasero, Walsh and Brown, the Hammers were unable to add to their tally.
Still, the result capped off a positive and productive training camp, leaving Skinner’s side full of confidence heading into the new season.
West Ham Utd (first half): Szemik, Endo, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Belloumou (Hanshaw 33), Gorry , Flannery, Asseyi, Martinez, Piubel (Morgan 40), Ueki
West Ham Utd (second half): M. Walsh, Denton (Cemal 60) Nystrom, Zadorsky , Hanshaw, Siren, Houssein, Morgan, S. Walsh, Martinez (Brown 60), Ueki (Brasero 60)
Sparta Prague: Harantova, Kotrcova, Bartonova , Pochmanova (Dedinova 74), Khyrova, Sonntagova, Paulenova, Retkesova, Cerna, Rancova, Poļuhovica
Subs not used: Dukic, Huvarova, Hansen, Keresova, Strakova, Ospeck, Ambalia
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