Siren Volley Secures 1-1 Draw for West Ham Against London City

Oona Siren’s thunderous volley earned West Ham United women a crucial 1-1 draw at home to London City Lionesses in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday. The result ended a run of three scoreless matches for the Hammers and injected hope into their relegation fight.

Siren’s first goal for West Ham came in her 51st appearance. The Finland international struck just after the hour mark, smashing a perfect volley from the edge of the box over London City goalkeeper Elene Lete to pull her side level. West Ham had been trailing to Jana Fernández’s first-half finish and needed a result to stay four points above bottom side Leicester City.

The Chigwell Construction Stadium crowd saw early positive intent from Rita Guarino’s side. However, their momentum was halted when Fernández broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. The opener came from a rapid counterattack after a West Ham corner. Inès Belloumou’s near-post delivery was cleared, and Freya Godfrey raced box-to-box before finding Fernández on the overlap. Despite Estelle Cascarino’s late challenge, Fernández guided her shot across goal and into the far corner, leaving Irons keeper Mackenzie Arnold with little chance.

West Ham struggled to create clear chances before half-time. Riko Ueki and Shekiera Martinez both found themselves in promising positions but dragged their efforts wide. The hosts went into the break without registering a shot on target, while visiting keeper Lete was largely untroubled as London City controlled the pace and looked comfortable at the back.

Guarino made a key change at half-time, bringing on club captain Katrina Gorry for Ylinn Tennebø. The adjustment sparked greater urgency from West Ham. Martinez became increasingly direct, probing at the London City defense with determined runs. Ueki, returning to action after an absence, looked sharper up front.

London City threatened again just before the equaliser. Godfrey found Isobel Goodwin in space, but Goodwin fired narrowly wide from close range, a let-off that kept West Ham within touching distance.

The home side finally found their spark midway through the second half. Substitute Viviane Asseyi swung in a free-kick which was only partially cleared by Saki Kumagai. The loose ball dropped to Siren just outside the penalty area. Watching it all the way, she unleashed an unstoppable volley that rocketed into the roof of the net, giving Lete no chance and drawing huge cheers from teammates and fans.

With momentum now with West Ham, late chances fell to both Ueki and Martinez as they pushed for all three points. Martinez delivered a deep cross that found Ueki unmarked at the back post, but her header drifted agonisingly wide. Moments later, Martinez herself nearly won it with a powerful long-range strike that fizzed just past the top-left corner.

Despite failing to secure victory, West Ham broke both their scoring drought and their poor run in London derbies. Before Sunday, they had lost all seven capital clashes this season.

For London City Lionesses, Fernández’s goal looked set to secure another away win until Siren’s moment of brilliance denied them late on. The visitors had already guaranteed their top-flight status before this fixture but will rue missed chances that could have made life harder for their hosts.

With three matches remaining and Leicester still to play later on Sunday, every point is vital for Guarino’s squad as they seek safety. They will take heart from an improved second-half display and from Siren’s breakthrough moment, especially after failing to find the net in three previous league games.

The draw leaves West Ham four points clear of Leicester at the foot of the table as results elsewhere continue to shape a tense relegation battle heading into April.