FIVE-STAR Hammers! - West Ham United v Southampton - Subway Women's League Cup 25-26

Rianne Skinner will be desperate for the joy of this competition to continue for her side. They've been in great Group C form so far in stark contrast to their struggles in the WSL. There's an awful lot of attacking talent that Southampton will have to keep an eye on, particularly on that West Ham bench. Southampton are 1-1, lost 1 so far in the Subway Women's League Cup, but they may fancy their chances today as they've shown all season they can be deadly in front of goal on their day. Abi Ferguson had a very good competition so far. Good chasing from West Ham here, but Southampton have emerged with the ball and down this left-hand side. Plenty to chase here for Southampton into the penalty area. It's a decent strike and second time around. Megan Walsh able to get on top of it. You can see that curling attempt there. This would not drop for Brazil. Moss passes a little bit sloppy and now West Ham can pick it up here. Edge of the penalty area. Parvey tries to strike. It's an awkward one, which Stenson does well with. Got away from a defender brilliantly there. Stenson's reacted nicely, that was awkward. It's a smart pass down the left-hand side. Rosero Carrera. A bit of support as well here from Bulumu. Nice football from West Ham, left-hand side. It's a decent ball into a dangerous area. Back post, there may still be a chance here for West Ham, but the strike from Endo, simply saved in the end. Again, having an increasingly good game here. It's West Ham number seven into a dangerous area. The header steered toward goal and fair play to Fran Stenson, who's reacted really well there. Had a tough couple of weeks really, the Southampton goalkeeper. Made an absolutely excellent stop there. Lay-off as Southampton can pick the ball back up. Little toe poke to his left-hand side and Mott. He's got a couple of options. That's a decent ball into a dangerous area as well, and Ferguson will try. But the Scott will steer it wide. Had a good time of things in this competition so far. That was close. On that right-hand side, and West Ham will chase it, and they'll collect it as well. Now for a corner kick. Martinez, the sub, making himself dangerous already. In comes that corner, flicked in to the back of the net. And West Ham have the lead after 64 minutes. A really smart corner kick. A near post flick. And Vivian Assay is the one who steered it home with a lovely header. West Ham in to the front of this League Cup tie. Good turn again by Martinez. He's going to bounce down to a dangerous area. Well blocked first time. Back to Martinez, who absolutely leathers it home. She's now appeared in all three of West Ham's Subway Women League Cup games. She's scored in all three as well. That is an emphatic finish. 2-0. Over the halfway line here. Flicked again towards the brilliant movement of the goal scorer of the first, Shakira Martinez, lays it off. And will come back again here. Shakira Martinez, edge of the penalty area. Dropping a shoulder. It's a lovely, dangerous ball in. Not clear first time. And poked home by Fionn Morgan. The former Bristol City striker has scored. A lovely, calm finish. Through the mass of bodies. West Ham are motoring here. There's a sloppy pass kicked in again by Shakira Martinez. And West Ham are driving forward here. Still with Martinez. Oh, very, very good defending at the last. I think Stenson did get a touch to it as well. Hard to blame the goalkeeper for too much of what's gone on so far this evening. Oh, that's another great stop. Launch forward. It's a very good launch forward as well. And in fact, it's an absolutely stunning goal from Vivian Assaye. Stunned almost into silence as I watched it. That is a beauty. What a goal that is. Into this right-hand side again for West Ham to try and find even more joy. And that's a great ball down this right-hand side. In low. Into the back of the net for a fit. Yet again in this competition, West Ham reach five. It's Martinez again. Really reached that cross well. And pops it in. Ruthless from West Ham this evening. Southampton were absolutely in this tie for the first 45 minutes, but the subs have made all the difference here. Which the penalty area is Southampton trying to get a hold of it. And that will be it. West Ham go three for three in Group C. A fairly even opening 45 minutes was not even in the second 45. A brace for Assaye, a brace for Shakira Martinez. Fian Morgan scoring in between all of that as well. West Ham need to find something in the WSL, but they found something tonight in the Subway Women's League Cup. West Ham five, Southampton nil.