Essex County Cup glory awaits for West Ham Ladies despite departure of manager Mark Saunderson

West Ham Ladies are 90 minutes away from Essex County Cup glory after seeing off C&K Basildon in a semifinal penalty shoot-out.

The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with an early Lily Mellors strike being cancelled out just seconds later by a headed Basildon equaliser.

However, the Hammers emerged victorious after ‘keeper Lauren Picton saved two penalties in the shoot-out and defender Danica Revell notched the winning spot-kick to put the Ladies through.

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Speaking to Blowing Bubbles after the game, Danica said: “I wasn’t nervous about taking the penalty. I was just excited that if I scored then we would go through.

“I have never really taken penalties before and this was the first time I had taken one in a penalty shootout. I think some of the others might have been a bit nervous about me, a defender, taking one but I knew where I was going and confident I’d score because we had practised them before and I always go the same way.

“Now we have got a cup final to look forward to and we are all buzzing for it. It’s going to be a great game and I really can’t wait because it has been a tough season for me.

“I was out for a little while because I had an operation on my foot and then when I came back we had the break over Christmas and didn’t play for ages because of the weather.

“It has also been tough because I have always played with Rosey (Sullivan) so when she left, I had to adapt to playing next to other centre backs. I’ve been playing with Hayley (West) and Jemma (Beard) and we are starting to build good partnerships.”

The only sour note from the cup semi-final was an injury to skipper Stacey Little which forced the midfielder off the field after just 15 minutes. However, a hospital scan revealed that the injury is not as bad as first feared and Little has a fighting chance of leading the Ladies out in the final.

The Irons, who remain under the joint management of coach Steve Spence and director of football Julia Setford after Mark Saunderson's resignation last week, will now take on local rivals Barking in the final, which will be played at AFCHornchurch on 17 April.

Mark Saunderson’s departure came after a largely frustrating season so far which has seen the Hammers win just three games out of 12 in the FA Women's Premier League South.

A club statement, released ahead of the Ladies’ County Cup clash against Colchester United on March 3, read: "We announce with regret that the first team manager, Mark Saunderson has left the club with immediate effect. After speaking with the chairman it was decided that it would be best for both parties and the chairman accepted Mr Saunderson resignation.”

The Ladies returned to Premier League action last Sunday and they lost to Charlton Athletic.

The Hammers are scheduled to take on Keynsham Town and Brighton & Hove Albion at home in the league on March 23 and 30 respectively.

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

West Ham Ladies manager Mark Saunderson quits club

West Ham Ladies manager Mark Saunderson has today followed captain Becky Merritt and goalkeeper Toni Anne Wayne in quitting the club.

The departure comes after the Ladies lost 5-1 at Watford in the FA Cup third round and after a largely frustrating season which has seen the Hammers win just three games out of 12 in the FA Women's Premier League South.

A club statement, released earlier this morning, read: "Today we announce with regret that the First Team Manager, Mark Saunderson has left the club with immediate effect. 

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"After speaking with the Chairman it was decided that it would be best for both parties and the Chairman accepted Mr Saunderson resignation.

"Today we have an important County Cup Match and Steve Spence with the support of Julia Setford we be in charge."

The Ladies play their home games at Thurrock FC, Ship Lane, Grays, Essex, RM19 1YN. For more information about the Ladies and their upcoming games click here

New West Ham Ladies captain Stacey Little targets Essex Cup to salvage season

Midfielder Stacey Little has spoken of her delight at being made the new West Ham Ladies captain and her desire to life silverware this season.

The 26-year-old was given the armband following Becky Merritt’s departure earlier this month and was the star player as the Hammers beat C&K Basildon on penalties in the FA Cup second round.

Speaking exclusively to Blowing Bubbles, she said: “I was so delighted to get the armband because it shows that the manager [Mark Saunderson] trusts me and thinks that I can do a job as captain. Everyone at the club knows how passionate and dedicated I am so it’s a massive honour for me to not only be able to wear the badge every week but to also now lead the team out.”

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Following her stand-out performance against Basildon in the FA Cup, the Ladies are gearing up to take on Watford in the next round. “At the moment we are taking things week by week but I hope we can start pushing ourselves up the league to where we should be,” Stacey continued.

“I hope I will be able to lift some silverware this season and the Essex Cup is one that I have my sights set firmly on. We missed out on the final last year and lost in the final the year before so it's time for us to be reunited with that trophy.

“It has been a tough season with quite a few players coming and going and us not doing as well in the league as what we would have wanted to so to win silverware would give something back to the club and the girls who have stuck with it and worked hard this season.

“I'm feeling positive about the upcoming games and the second half of the season. There has been a good vibe around training with all the girls and without having had many games for so long, the girls were buzzing to get that first game under their belts after so long.”

Asked about goalkeeper Toni Anne Wayne and forward Becky Merritt quitting the Hammers to join Brighton, Stacey added: “I was a little disappointed that they had decided to leave when we really needed stability in the team but I understand their reasons behind leaving and I wish them all the best at Brighton.”

Apart from the Hammers game against Basildon on February 9, the Ladies hadn’t played since losing 4-2 to KIKK United in the London Capital Cup on December 15 and might not return to FA Women’s Premier League Southern action until mid-March.

“It has been massively frustrating for everyone not to have been able to play more games so far this year,” Stacey concluded. “Even more so for me because I had just come back from injury before Christmas and I played a game and a half before the Christmas break.

“I am a bit worried about the back log of games. Mid-week games will have to be scheduled and that, along with training and an eight hour working day before playing a game, will be tiring.”

The Ladies play their home games at Thurrock FC, Ship Lane, Grays, Essex, RM19 1YN. For more information about the Ladies and their upcoming games click here

Midfielder Lindsey Morgan hoping West Ham Ladies' hard work on training ground will be rewarded on the pitch

Midfielder Lindsey Morgan hopes the West Ham Ladies’ hard work on the training pitch will see them climb up the table once they return to FA Women’s Premier League South.

The Hammers haven’t played a league game since they beat Chesham United 3-1 on December 8 because of the wet weather conditions so far this winter and might not play another league game until March.

The Ladies currently sit fourth from bottom having picked up 12 points from their opening 12 games and Lindsey believes the prolonged winter break has been a positive.

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"I think to a certain extent having a break from games has worked in our favour," the 33 year old said. "It has enabled us to regroup and given us the opportunity to work together as a squad to improve in some areas.

"I can't really see any issues arising as a result of the backlog of games. It will obviously prolong our season but for me this will only become an issue if we suffer any injuries because we don't have the biggest squad this season in comparison to previous years."

Lindsey rejoined West Ham United in 2011 from Millwall Lionesses and has impressed so far this season with one player of the match award and a goal in 12 appearances.

"My hope moving forward is that we put in some good solid team performances and pick up some momentum,’ she continued. "It is important that we pull together and work for each other and hopefully the results will start to reflect the hard work we are putting in on the training pitch.

"As a senior player I look forward to continuing to nurture the young talent at the club and will pass on my experience to the other players in the squad whenever possible."

The midfielder had planned to hang up her boots at the end of the 2011/12 campaign but admits she now has no plans to retire. "I have spoken previously about retirement but while I'm fit and injury free hanging up my boots couldn't be further from my mind," she said.

As for the departures of fellow senior players, forward Becky Merritt and goalkeeper Toni Anne Wayne, she added: "It is the nature of football that there will be a natural turnover of players at the club. However, that being said it is always disappointing to lose experienced players. On a positive note we have a lot of good young talent at the club and perhaps this will give them the opportunity that they need to break through into the first team."

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

Captain Becky Merritt quits West Ham Ladies for Women’s Super League hopefuls Brighton and Hove Albion

West Ham Ladies captain Becky Merritt has followed goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne in quitting the club to join Women’s Super League hopefuls Brighton and Hove Albion.

 The 27-year-old, who joined the Hammers in 2009, had been made captain following the arrival of Mark Saunderson as Ladies manager in the summer. But in an exclusive interview with Blowing Bubbles, the forward admitted the move to the south coast side – on standby to join the Women’s Super League (WSL) – was one she couldn’t turn down.

“I am extremely sad to be leaving the club because ultimately I am a West Ham fan and it was such great feeling pulling on that shirt every week,” she said. “Being captain ensured the decision was even more difficult because I would never want to let down the players, management or the club. I have invested so much time and effort behind the scenes in recent years to try and help take the club forward and this just reinforced my love for the Hammers.”

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Becky, whose only goal of the season came at home against Chesham United in the league in December, said the decision to quit wasn’t one she took lightly.

 “I can honestly say this has been the hardest decision in my football career,” she continued. “Ultimately I had two choices; stay where I was or move to face a new challenge. The offer from Brighton was too good to turn down.

"The club has an amazing vision so it is exciting to be a part of this ambition. Due to the nature of the approach, coupled with the fact that Brighton are keen to strengthen ready for potential WSL status, my decision had to be made within a certain time frame.

"I utilised every possible day to make the decision because I was so torn. But having experienced my first few training sessions as a Brighton player, I do feel as though I have the buzz back again, and therefore from a personal perspective, have made the right decision.”

The former Crystal Palace and Gravesend & Northfleet player announced her decision to the squad at the end of last month.

“Everyone has been supportive of the move, from the players right through to the management and even the fans,” Becky explained. “Everyone seems to understand the opportunity is a good one, especially with the WSL expansion, and have wished me lots of luck in my new challenge.

"I have made some great friends throughout my West Ham journey and hope to remain in contact with them. I personally contacted players, staff and supporters individually to explain my decision because as captain I felt I owed them all an explanation and I wanted to wish each and every one of them luck for the remaining season.”

The West Ham Ladies have endured a difficult season so far and currently sit fourth from bottom in the FA Womens Premier League South.

Becky continued: “The season has been a tough one as West Ham Ladies are a team very much in transition. There have been moments of frustration but also moments of sheer joy. The club has massive potential with a mix of experience and youth within the ranks.

“The club was obviously disappointed in not gaining WSL status and this makes for a nervous time for most managers within the league, as the bigger clubs look to take their pick of players. With this in mind I have no doubt that the Ladies will survive the hardships and continue to be a success in the women's game.

“The weather is proving to be disruptive but I know that once the girls have a run of games they will surprise a few teams. You cannot underestimate the passion and belief of some of these players, combined with the experience of others and therefore may become the dark horse.

“I sincerely hope that the club continues to grow into a sustainable and successful club. Hopefully they will be considered in the next WSL applications and can really kick on. The club has some amazing people working behind the scenes, and in women's football, these people are gold dust”

Reflecting on her time at the club, she added: “There have been so many highlights during my four years here. Being a fan, pulling the shirt on every week was an immense feeling and that passion was transferred into my game. Scoring a hat-trick on my full debut against Fulham was pretty special, as was my goal in the County Cup final.

"But the overwhelming highlight has to be the captaincy. There aren't enough words to explain my pride at that appointment. My only disappointment is not winning any silverware in claret and blue.”

Becky is, however, “extremely excited” by Brighton’s ambitions as a club. She concluded: “In my first conversation with the club's officials it was clear to see they were going somewhere. There is a real intent in their actions and beliefs, and this inevitably transfers to the players who demand such high standards themselves.

"The opportunity to play in the WSL was an obvious attraction but the real swaying point was the knowledge and expertise of the staff, I realised immediately that I will only improve as a player and the staff can help add longevity to my career.”

Blowing Bubbles would like to thank Becky for her amazing efforts in helping us build our excellent relationship with the Ladies.