by Alec McQuarrie
Paul Konchesky believes Manchester United Women’s influence over the officials cost West Ham United Women a route back into their 2-0 home defeat in the Barclays Women's Super League.
After Lucia Garcia and Hannah Blundell had given the visitors a healthy lead early in the second half, Lucy Parker reacted instinctively to turn home a deflected shot.
The Manchester United players immediately appealed and after a discussion with her assistant, referee Emily Heaslip disallowed the goal.
READ MORE: West Ham undone by Manchester United as Lucia Garcia and Hannah Blundell score in 2-0 win
And Konchesky, in his second game as the Hammers’ boss, couldn’t understand why the goal didn’t stand.
“Me and my staff have obviously looked back and seen it, and we think the goal should count. But listen they make the decisions and it wasn’t to be," said the 41-year-old former West Ham men's player.
“The linesman’s standing right there and gives nothing, and then you’re Manchester United and you moan around the ref and I think they get the decisions when they want them.”
Aside from that controversial incident, Konchesky praised his players for making it difficult for the Champions League-chasers for large parts of the game.
He added: “We did ourselves proud. Especially first half, I thought we were really good. We had a couple of chances, but they caught us a little bit cold at the start of the second.
“That was disappointing from my point of view but we should have a goal that maybe stands, one which if it does, then you don’t know which way the game’s going to go.
“I see some positives to come out of it. We’ll give everyone a game. We put in 100 percent.”
Konchesky had six summer signings starting in east London, while new recruits Izzy Atkinson, 17-year-old Halle Houssein and 18-year-old Thea Kyvag were brought on in the second half.
And the Hammers boss was delighted with the way they settled into the side and threatened Manchester United late in the game.
“It’s massive. The two young ones did really well. They brought something different to the team and you can see they didn’t look out of place," he said
“They’ve been ready to play as and when and I think that’s what West Ham’s about. We’ve got senior players in but we put some young ones in today and they held their own."
READ NEXT
- England boss Gareth Southgate told to drop Manchester United captain in favour of West Ham star
- Harry Redknapp names the former West Ham star who was 'the best young player' he had ever seen
- Croatia's Nikola Vlasic makes Italy and England 'level' comparison after leaving West Ham on loan
- Harry Redknapp names the former West Ham star who was 'the best young player' he had ever seen
- West Ham urged to start Scamacca, Paqueta, Bowen and Antonio in the League
