West Ham Women are looking to glean their first league win since the winter break as they travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday to take on Reading in their first WSL fixture since early February.
Paul Konchesky’s side have struggled for positive form in the league since the turn of the year and are currently the only WSL side that have yet to register a single goal since returning from the winter break.
West Ham suffered successive league defeats to Manchester City and Everton without reply to ring in the new year, albeit a plucky performance against title-chasing Arsenal momentarily stopped the rot as they secured an impressive goalless draw.
READ MORE: West Ham United announce three directors to oversee and develop their WSL side
A trip to Reading, who sit four places in the table below the Hammers in 11th with just seven points amassed all season, presents a good opportunity for Konchesky’s team to collect all three points.
In the reverse fixture, a first-half brace from Vivianne Asseyi after Dagny Brynjarsdottir’s opening header inside five minutes was enough to secure the win despite Reading making for an uncomfortable final 15 minutes with Charlie Wellings and Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen finding the back of the net.
Asseyi and Brynjarsdottir’s combined clinical edge in front of goal would ultimately be the impetus for West Ham's enviable fifth-place berth heading into the winter break just four points shy of Manchester City.
Asseyi's four goals alongside Brynjarsdottir’s five heading into January saw the pair comprise 60% of West Ham’s total league goals scored this season.
Yet, since the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in December in which Brynjarsdottir and centre-half Hawa Cissoko wrote their names respectively on the scoresheet, the Hammers have failed to register a single league goal.
Indeed, the goal drought currently suffered by Asseyi and Brynjarsdottir has only underlined the team’s dependency on the duo for attacking flair and the glaring lack of consistent goal scoring calibre elsewhere.
A return to form for the Hammers’ most relied-upon attackers could shift the tone of the team’s second half of the season. Following a FA Women’s Cup fifth round exit to fellow WSL side Aston Villa on penalties after their ignominious 7-0 semi-final loss to Chelsea in the Conti Cup, West Ham will be hoping that shift arrives soon.
Reading kick-off to West Ham on Sunday at 2:00pm.
READ NEXT:
West Ham join forces with VR giant in landmark women's football partnership
West Ham captain rues 'embarrassing' performance as 'too much respect' shown in Chelsea defeat
Continental League Cup: What is it? When is the final? How to watch live on TV
Beth Mead delivers promising England injury update for Women's World Cup with added inspiration
England player ratings as Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup as Chloe Kelly shines
