Powell happy despite penalty setback for Albion

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Head coach felt her side should have beaten West Ham in normal time in Wednesday's Continental Cup tie.

Bruce Talbot

2020-10-07T08:40:00Z

Hope Powell watches on as her side draw 2-2 against the Hammers, before being defeated on penalties.

Albion head coach Hope Powell felt her side did enough in 90 minutes to make a winning start to their Continental League Cup campaign.

Albion had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to West Ham in their opening group game, but the Hammers won the extra point when they took the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

Megan Connolly scored her second goal of the season and fellow Ireland international Rianna Jarrett came off the bench to put Albion in front in the second half. Both goals were created by Nora Heroum from set pieces.

Powell said, “I was really pleased. We had good possession and control in our play which what I asked for before we started.

Albion equalise against West Ham after a goalmouth scramble.

“We came from behind to go in front which is another good sign and I thought overall we were the better side, it’s just a bit disappointing that we lost concentration at a set piece when they made it 2-2. We hit the bar twice when perhaps we should have scored so being a little bit more clinical in those situations is something we have to work on.

“It’s a shame about the penalties but actually it’s nice way to get a result and gives players the opportunity to practice under pressure.”

Powell was also pleased with the contribution of Finnish midfielder Heroum who created both goals.

“The pace of the WSL is a lot quicker than used too so she’s had to be patient but she moves the ball really well and she’s very good on set pieces, a real technician. And we got two goals as a result of it so that’s another positive for us.”