It was a momentous night at Upton Park last week as the ladies team took centre stage

Newham Recorder: Action from West Ham's clash with Tottenham (pic: David Crook)Action from West Ham's clash with Tottenham (pic: David Crook) (Image: Archant)

Less than a week after Michail Antonio gave West Ham a famous 1-0 win over Tottenham, the two sides were back in action at the Boleyn Ground once more.

This time, it was the turn of the ladies, who were given the chance to play under the floodlights for the first time before the ground is demolished.

The match, played on International Women’s Day, was a far cry from the Hammers’ usual home games at AFC Hornchurch.

Players from the club’s youth teams were given the chance to train on the famous turf ahead of the match, while the Haverettes band provided a musical backdrop.

Newham Recorder: A crowd of 1,741 turned up to watch West Ham's women beat Tottenham at the Boleyn Ground (pic: David Crook)A crowd of 1,741 turned up to watch West Ham's women beat Tottenham at the Boleyn Ground (pic: David Crook) (Image: Archant)

West Ham came into the match on the back of four straight defeats, including an 8-0 home defeat to south east London side Charlton Athletic.

That didn’t stop the largely claret and blue crowd from getting behind their team – with a particularly vocal contingent supporting birthday girl Danni Rixton.

Ahead of yesterday’s game, Spurs were 11 points above the Hammers in the Women’s Premier League Southern Division.

That gap showed as Spurs dominated the opening minutes of the game, but the Hammers defence was resolute in keeping the ball away from Beth Griffiths’ goal.

Newham Recorder: West Ham's women celebrate their win over Tottenham (pic: David Crook)West Ham's women celebrate their win over Tottenham (pic: David Crook) (Image: Archant)

Both sides had early chances, with Hammers forwards Cindy Ferreira and Whitney Locke combining to no avail on a number of occasions, and their Spurs counterparts Ronnel Humes and Wendy Martin doing the same.

Despite both sides’ best efforts, the deadlock remained unbroken when referee Tom Brooks blew for half time.

There was no absence of the boos that often punctuates men’s games, with Spurs defender Alex Keown bearing the brunt of Hammers fans’ frustration following a challenge in the first half.

She nearly silenced the jeers in the 59th minute when her free kick was headed in at the near post – but linesman Martin Quinn’s flag ruled the goal out.

Instead, it was West Ham who took the lead in the 70th minute after substitute Laura Curtis was brought down in the box.

Captain Katie Bottom calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom right hand corner, sending Spurs keeper Toni-Anne Wayne the wrong way.

A firework away from the stadium was appropriately timed with sparks inside it, with Rosie Missen and Martin both receiving a booking in the 78th minute after squaring up to each other.

Spurs pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find the target and the game ended with exactly the same result their male counterparts played out.

West Ham fans and players alike were delighted with the victory, celebrating at the edge of the pitch and posing for photos to ensure a memorable night would never be forgotten.