West Ham Ladies manager Julia Setford’s praise for new signings Hannah Gowland and Lily Mellors ahead of FA Cup clash

West Ham Ladies' manager Julia Setford has lauded the impact of her new signings as the team prepare to take on Leeds United in the Fourth Round of the FA Women’s Cup.

The Hammers head into the game on the back of consecutive wins over Gillingham and London Corinthians, and will fancy their chances to progress in the competition.

New signings from Colchester United, Hannah Gowland and Lily Mellors have made an instant impact since arriving late last year and manager Setford couldn't be happier with their progress.

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"The two girls I brought in, I knew they were quality,” she said. “They've settled in well and really proved themselves."

The two new recruits have really strengthened the Hammers side, according to their boss.

"Their finishing, especially Hannah's, is second to none” the gaffer continued. “She's a left-footed player and she brings a nice balance to the team; together with Lily's vision, it's really boosted our numbers and made us strong."

The team's recent form is particularly impressive given the frustrations they have faced of late, mainly down to the adverse weather conditions.

The Ladies have only been able to complete four games since November, but hopefully the worst of the bad weather is over now and the Leeds game will bring glorious sunshine and a third win on the trot for the in-form Irons, with more sparkling performances from the two new signings.

The Hammers have never lifted the trophy, nor even reached a final since its inauguration in 1971, and that will be sure to be something that manager Setford will want to put right this season.

With only two defeats so far in the league, the Hammers are also sitting pretty at fourth in the table - just five points off leaders Reading.

A fantastic seven match unbeaten run between September and October has been the highlight in the league for Setford’s side so far, but the most outstanding thing has been the Irons’ resistance to defeat and their “bouncebackability”.

Captain Rosey Sullivan's plea for West Ham Ladies to maintain unbeaten run

West Ham Ladies captain Rosey Sullivan has called on her teammates to pick up maximum points in their next two games and extend their unbeaten run in the league to six games.

The 20-year-old has been in impressive form of late and has formed a strong partnership with fellow centre half Danica Revell which has helped the Ladies pick up 10 points in their last four games.

The pairing looked particularly strong against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies’ pacy forwards earlier this month, keeping a clean sheet as the Hammers ran out 1-0 winners.

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Rosey said: “It was a great win against Tottenham and a great team performance. I felt we really clicked as a team for the first time this season and I was, obviously, delighted with the clean sheet.

“I didn’t play in the last game against Tottenham in the league cup which we lost but I was told their wingers were brilliant that night and I thought we did well to keep them quiet.

“We’ve now got Lewes and Yeovil in the league which I think are both very winnable games for us. We will go into both these games pushing for all three points and we have to keep the same fighting attitude for ever y game.”

She added: “All games in this league are a battle and both Lewes and Yeovil are big sides and quite aggressive so I’m hoping we can get the ball down and play around them.”

This is Rosey’s first season as captain but admits it’s a role she loves and wants to keep for the rest of the season.

Referring to her partnership with Danica, she continued: “I think this is the third season we have played together now and I love having her next to me. We both went to the same academy - Leyton Orient Centre of Excellence – so we were taught to play the same way which has helped us to forge this partnership.

“I feel she does the same job as me and stops me from worrying because I know she’s got my back. She is the only centre back I’ve really enjoyed playing with because she is such a strong player and I think people like the way we play together.

Hopefully we can continue to play well together.”

The captain has also been impressed by the performances of goalkeeper Toni Anne Wayne this season.

She continued: “It’s great to play in front of Toni. She has been a big player for us so far this season, pulling off some great saves and she is always talking to me.

She added: “Her penalty save in the Tottenham game was brilliant. I was amazed she managed to get there because it was right in the corner and that save was really the difference between us getting three points and just one.”

West Ham Ladies are playing at home to Lewes in the FA Womens’ Premier League Southern Division on Sunday. The game kicks off at 2pm.

The Ladies play their home games at Thurrock FC, Ship Lane, Grays, Essex, RM19 1YN.