Sunday 9^th September 2001 

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies travelled to windy Essex on Sunday to start their assault on the Greater London Women's League Premier title.

In the first half both sides struggled to come to terms with a very strong cross-field wind.  Mo Cordes went close early on when the Southend keeper tipped her near post effort round for a corner.  This was shortly followed by a free kick on the edge of the box to Southend, but keeper Tina Hills saved comfortably. 

The teams went in at half-time with the teams level.

Into the second half and just after the hour, Kelly Herrett scored from a 25 yard direct free-kick which she bent over the wall and past the despairing dive of the Southend keeper.  However, at the other end, keeper Hills kept Spurs in the match with several fine saves, although she was powerless to do anything about the Southend equaliser with 15 minutes remaining.

The game saw debuts for Kim McGhee and 15 year old Samantha Farnum.

TEAM:  Hills, Herrett, Oshodi, Daniells, Djoshkoun, Farnum, Cordes, Brigitte, Freeman, Blackmore and Sparrow. Subs:  McGhee, Palmer                            

KAY LOVELOCK

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Tottenham Ladies were at home Colney Heath this week, but although the girls put in a much better performance than the previous week, a better result was not to be.

Despite chances for Mo Cordes, Kelly Herrett, Vicki Groves and Zoella Freeman, it was Colney Heath who took the lead just after the half hour mark with what turned out to be almost their only real attempt of the game. 

With the score at 1-0 to Colney Heath at half time, Tottenham Ladies were far from out of the game as they created several chances, but a combination of good goalkeeping and bad finishing meant we were unable to breach the visitors goal.

We knew it was not our day when, in the final minutes, a shot from close range by Lorraine Sparrow went agonisingly wide of the post.

Team: Hills, Brigitte, Curtis, Djoshkoun, Herrett, Wiltsher, Blackmore, Sparrow, Groves, Cordes, Freeman.
Sub:  Oshodi

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Tottenham Ladies continued the search for their first win of the season at Croydon Postal on Sunday. 

As early as the 3^rd minute player of the match Mo Cordes broke through on goal only to be thwarted by an excellent save by the Croydon Postal keeper and two minutes later Mo again went close, heading just wide from Samantha Farnum's cross.

In the 13^th minute Cordes was crowded out as she attempted a shot from just inside the penalty area.  Just after the half hour mark Kelly Herrett went close with a free kick from the left wing which was collected just under the bar by the home keeper.

After 36 minutes, following good work from young Samantha Farnum, Cordes was again just wide of the post.  Two minutes later and it was the turn of Zoella Freeman to be stopped by the impressive Croydon Postal keeper.  In the last three minutes before the end of the first half Gill Blackmore was just wide from a Samantha Farnum cross and Mo Cordes shot into the side netting after good work by Zoella Freeman.

Half-Time 0-0

Within 30 seconds of the re-start Tottenham got the breakthrough that they deserved, when, following a mix-up in the home defence, Zoella Freeman coolly slotted home past the keeper into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 55^th minute, Freeman collected her second of the game with a rare header following a pin point cross from Samantha Farnum.  Three minutes later a blistering shot from Gill Blackmore was turned over the bar for a corner by the Postal keeper.  Christina Oshodi headed in Tottenham's third from the resulting corner taken by Cordes.  In the last 20 minutes Tottenham had several more chances to extend their lead from Samantha Farnum, Kim McGhee and Gill Blackmore. Cordes was again to be thwarted this time by the outstretched arm of the keeper and again with a shot cleared off the line.  

Tottenham played some exciting, passing football which paid dividends in the end. The last half hour or so of the game was played in torrential rain, but all in all a pleasing first win for manager Pete Skinner.  

TEAM:  Hills, Brigitte, Curtis, Djoshkoun, Herrett, Oshodi, Blackmore, Sparrow, Farnum, Freeman and Cordes.  
Subs:  McGhee and Daniells.

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Spurs Ladies went into this Greater London League game looking for revenge following the draw at Southend on the opening day of the season. 

As early as the 8^th minute Tottenham had their first attempt at goal when Chloe Theocharis, a summer signing from Enfield Ladies, shot just past the post from long range.  Zoella Freeman was the next to go close, just wide with a lob four minutes later.

In the 20^th minute, Chloe shot over the bar from a loose ball on the edge of the area and a minute later Spurs were in front when Zoella Freeman beat two players before shooting into the bottom corner.  The next three minutes saw the action flow from end to end, when Mo Cordes had her shot turned round the post.  From the resulting corner Chloe Theocharis claimed a debut goal with a fine shot through the crowd as the ball was only cleared to the edge of the area.  Within a minute Southend pulled a goal back from what looked a suspiciously offside position. 

Rounding off a frantic ten minutes,  Southend were level with a shot from close range in the 28^th minute.  But Spurs kept pressing forward and with five minutes before half time, Freeman again went close to scoring from a Theocharis cross.

HALF-TIME 2-2

Five minutes into the second half, Gill Blackmore ran from inside the Spurs half before hitting the side netting with a shot from inside the area. In the 55^th minute Mo Cordes swept the ball into the net from a cross by Lorraine Sparrow to once again put Tottenham in front.  Two minutes after that goal, Zoella hit the bar with a shot from 15 yards.

In the 79^th minute Mo Cordes went close when an attempted lob was foiled by the goalkeepers fingertips.  It proved to be a vital save for the Ladies from Essex as two minutes later Southend equalised with a hotly disputed penalty to give them another draw against Tottenham Ladies.

Greater London Women's League Premier League

This was an end to end match played in torrential rain.

Gill Blackmore had an early chance to put Spurs into the lead following a cross from Samantha Farnum.  Four minutes later, Chloe Theocharis' shot from the edge of the area was pushed round the post by the Copthall keeper and the same player shot narrowly over the bar from the resulting corner.

After 19 minutes Blackmore again had a chance, but this one was straight at the keeper.

Although their was no clear winner in the midfield battle, Spurs were playing good flowing, passing football in the terrible conditions.  Just before half-time Zoella Freeman headed a Samantha Farnum cross into the keepers arms.

Tottenham went into the break goal-less, but within five minutes of the restart Barnet Copthall went ahead when keeper Tina Hills saved the initial shot but could do nothing about the player following up.

Mo Cordes then had a free-kick saved by their keeper. In the 54^th minute, Player of the Match 15 year old Samantha Farnum brought Spurs level with a shot from wide.  Samantha had further chances in the 62^nd minute and again after 75 minutes, but was thwarted by the Barnet keeper.  In the 77^th minute, the Copthall goalie fumbled a cross from Mo Cordes, but nobody was on hand to take advantage. As late as the last minute of the game Spurs almost pulled off the win when Zoella Freeman went on a mazy dribble from the half-way line beating four defenders, before chipping the keeper only for the ball to drop agonisingly just over the bar.

The match saw the welcome return of skipper Jackie Fearon following the birth of daughter Lacey 10 weeks ago.

FULL-TIME  1-1

TEAM:  Hills, Brigitte, Herrett, Djoshkoun, Curtis, Blackmore, Fearon, Sparrow, Farnum, Theocharis and Freeman  
Sub: Cordes

Greater London Women's League Premier League

A young and pacy Dagenham and Redbridge side faced a hastily assembled Tottenham Ladies team at Brimsdown Rovers.  Having to call-up some players from the reserves left the first team with an uphill task against the Essex side who got stronger as the game went on.

The early action was towards the Dagenham goal, with Chloe Theocharis having a good shot saved.  Kelly Herrett did well to clear when Dagenham looked poised to threaten the Spurs goal, before the play moved to the other end and Zoella Freeman missed her shot with only the keeper to beat.  A scramble ensued from a Spurs corner, but there was no clear shot on goal and Dagenham broke away, only to be thwarted by Tina Hills grabbing a low cross into the six yard box.  Handan Djoshkoun was breaking up the Dagenham moves through the middle and Samantha Farnum was causing problems up the right wing from the full back position.

On the half hour, the deadlock was broken when Theocharis' long free-kick was met by a perfectly timed run from Gill Blackmore, who popped up on the left corner of the box and dinked the ball over the advancing keeper, as she spread herself.  Indeed, the same player could have doubled the lead a moment later, when she was clean through, but blazed her shot high over the goal.

At half-time, Spurs were in command and although D&R looked dangerous, they had not produced any direct shot on goal.  That changed from the start of the second half, when Tina Hills in the Spurs goal was called upon to pluck a cross out of the air, save a header from close range and dived at a forward's feet to prevent another opportunity.

The play was a bit scrappy after this and it was only on the hour that Spurs had their next chance when Herrett drove in a fierce free-kick from outside the box, which the keeper did well to hold.  The Daggers ladies then started to link their play and a neat turn in the box came to nothing, although this was followed by a long shot that was saved by Hills.  Then, with 15 minutes left, they equalised when a long ball through the middle caught out the Spurs defence and a low shot from the edge of the box flew in.

Siw Wiggen stopped a goal-scoring opportunity with a well-timed challenge, but from the corner conceded, Blackmore was forced to head off the line at the far post.  It only delayed the inevitable as Dagenham pushed forward and the ref awarded a penalty for a push by Fearon.  The kick was duly converted to give Dagenham the lead.  Even then, Tottenham could have grabbed an equaliser, as a through ball by Cordes found Freeman running through and as she turned inside, a D&R defender got a foot to the ball and deflected it past her own keeper.  As the ball trickled towards goal, Zoella tried to get to it, but it beat her and the post to go off for a corner.  The last action of the game was a neat trick and a dipping shot from the Dagenham number 7, but it went just over the bar.

The visitors had the legs of the Tottenham side in the final minutes, but it was a good display and emphasised the need for the ladies to convert their chances earlier in the match to give them a base to play from. 

TEAM : - Hills; Farnum, Wiggen, Djoshkoun, Herrett; Curtis, Cordes, Fearon, Blackmore; Freeman, Theocharis (K. Jones 65)

For action shots of the game, click here.

The under 12's got things off to a flying start with a 4 - 1 victory with goals from Chanade Watson, two from Jessica Richards and another scored by Roisin Fletcher.  Keeper Rebecca Williams also made several good saves.

The under 14's took on the Allenes Under 16's side and went down 4-1 to the older side after a goalless first half. The Spurs scorer was Laura Govier.

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Spurs Ladies played host to Croydon Postal on Sunday and ran up there biggest win of the season so far.  

As early as the 2^nd minute Zoella Freeman nearly connected with a through ball from Chloe Theocharis but was just beaten to it by the Croydon Postal keeper.  A minute later, Gill Blackmore opened the scoring when she netted the rebound after the keeper had saved her initial shot.  Chances followed for both Freeman and Theocharis to extend the lead, but it was in the 9^th minute that Zoella Freeman netted the second Spurs goal of the match, after the keeper failed to hold a shot from Samantha Farnum.

Three minutes later Spurs keeper Tina Hills saved comfortably from a Croydon attack.  Theocharis was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the 14^th minute when her cross shot eluded the keeper but cannoned back off the post.  After 25 minutes Freeman was again close this time following good work down the left by La Toyah Johnson and the provider was the next to have a chance with an audacious attempt at a flying bicycle kick from Lorraine Sparrow's cross.  Johnson also had a chance just before half-time when she showed good control in the area, but shot into the keepers arms.

The second half started with a bang, when in the first minute Chloe Theocharis ran on to a through ball from Samantha Farnum rounded  a defender and shot into the net. 

The 49^th minute saw the goal of the season so far when Zoella Freeman headed on a goal-kick for inspirational skipper Jackie Fearon to execute a dipping volley from fully 35 yards over the keeper dropping just under the bar.

In the 57^th minute Theocharis had a shot blocked by the keepers legs before Jenny Curtis was the next to go close just four minutes later.  In the 64^th minute Freeman shot into the side netting from La Toyah Johnson's pass and then it was the turn of Kerry Daniells to shoot just wide after a good run from left back.  In the 67^th minute Chloe Theocharis shot and forced the defender to deflect the ball into the net.  Two minutes later she again went close following good work by Kerry Daniells.

Gill Blackmore collected her second of the game in the 83^rd minute, when she netted from six yards after a fine cross from La Toyah Johnson.

In the 87^th minute substitute Christina Oshodi headed across the face of the goal into the far top corner latching on to the ball as it bounced around the area.   The same player went close again two minutes later shooting just wide from the edge of the area.

Just before the final whistle player of the match La Toyah Johnson rounded off the scoring when she slammed the ball into the net following a lay off from Chloe Theocharis, who had superbly controlled the ball following a cross into the area.

The second half saw substitute Stephanie Jones come on to make her first team debut.

TEAM:  Hills, Curtis, Sparrow, Wiggen, Djoshkoun, Blackmore, Fearon, Farnum, Johnson, Freeman,  Theocharis  Subs:  Herrett, Oshodi, Jones, Daniells

Friendly (Played at Waltham Abbey FC)

A very mixed side played what has become an annual fixture against the girls from the Wang Soccer College based in Norway at Waltham Abbey on Thursday evening.

The Norwegians lined up with Spurs first team keeper Tina Hills in goal, as they did not have a keeper in their travelling squad.  Young reserve keeper Claire Bloomfield lined up for her first team debut in goal and turned in a performance that earned her the Player of the Match award.

In the first 15 minutes Claire pulled off four good saves including a double save, when she blocked the first shot, then grabbed the rebound off the strikers foot and a superb diving save from a cross with two forwards waiting for the ball.

After 17 minutes Kelly Herrett stepped up to drive a free-kick from the edge of the area past Hills and into the top corner to put Spurs into the lead very much against the run of play.  Wang equalised in the 32nd  minute with a shot from 12 yards after the ball had cannoned back off the post from the initial shot.  Ten minutes later WANG took the lead with a rising shot into the roof of the net from 15 yards.

Half-Time  Tottenham 1 WANG 1

The second half again saw Bloomfield in the thick of the action with saves at the foot of the post from a free kick and a superb diving save tipping the ball round the post for a corner.

The Tottenham forwards did their best to force Hills into action at the other end, but she and the WANG defence were equal to the task.

Despite the result this was a good battling performance against a very strong and physical Norwegian side. The Spurs squad was made up from some first team regulars and a fair smattering of reserves.  A special mention should go to Tiffany Ellis and Samrawit Bereket who stepped up from the Under 15 side and performed well.

Greater London League Cup

On Sunday it was back to Greater London business when we entertained Barnet Copthall at Brimsdown in the 2nd Round of the League Cup.

Tottenham got off to a flying start when La Toyah Johnson slotted home a pass from Chloe Theocharis in the first minute. Over the next 20 minutes or so Spurs had the chances to be four up when Johnson, Theocharis and Freeman all had good chances to increase the lead.

Unfortunately two goals in the three minutes before half-time proved to be the undoing of Tottenham. The first came from a penalty after a foul by Siw Wiggen, Tina Hills diving the right way but the Copthall players penalty proved to be too powerful.  The second was from a breakaway with Hills unable to stop the ball arrowing into the bottom corner.

Half-time  Tottenham 1   Barnet Copthall 2

The second half saw almost relentless pressure from Tottenham, but they were unable to find a way past the Copthall defence and keeper.  Kerry Daniells had a free kick saved, Samantha Farnum shot from the edge of the area, but the keeper was equal to it.

On the hour Barnet Copthall hit the post, when Hills touched a drive onto the woodwork.  Four minutes later Chloe Theocharis shot just past the post after a good run from Chrissie Oshodi.  Twenty minutes from the end Jackie Fearon nearly upstaged her goal from the previous week when she hooked the ball over her head with her back to goal on the edge of the area. The keeper just managed to scramble the ball out from under the bar and away.

Despite dominating the second half, the Tottenham side could not break down a resolute Barnet side, who held out for what their coach described as a win that was "lucky".

TEAM:  Hills, Herrett, Daniells, Wiggen, Djoshkoun, Blackmore, Fearon, Farnum, Johnson (sub. Oshodi), Freeman,  Theocharis.

For some action shots from the game, click here.

Greater London Women's League Premier League

London Women came to Brimsdown on Sunday second in the table, but left emphatically beaten by the Tottenham Ladies. 

Samantha Farnum started the ball rolling when she picked the ball up on the right wing and cheekily lobbed the keeper from around  20 yards.  Four minutes later Gill Blackmore extended the lead slamming the loose ball into the net after La Toyah Johnson had caused confusion in the London defence.

On 17 minutes Siw Wiggen made a great saving challenge after keeper Tina Hills was beaten to a through ball on the edge of the area.  Two minutes later Gill Blackmore was denied by the keeper after good work from Zoella Freeman.  On 22 minutes, the London keeper turned a powerful shot from Chloe Theocharis onto the underside of the bar, the ball dropped just down on the line and was cleared before the on- rushing forwards could convert.

Three minutes later and Gill Blackmore claimed her second of the match with a shot from the edge of the area through a crowd of players.  four minutes later  when Zoella scored with a rare downward header from 8 yards following a cross from Blackmore to make it four for Tottenham.  In the 31st minute, keeper Tina Hills saved diving bravely at the forwards feet, but she was unable to do anything a minute later when London pulled a goal back.

HALF-TIME   Tottenham 4 - 1 London Women

After 51 minutes Jackie Fearon went close with a lob from around 28 yards, but London pulled two goals back in the 53^rd and 65^th minutes to reduce the deficit. In between the goals Tina Hills had blocked bravely on the edge of her area. 

Tottenham then seemed to wake up and step up a gear.  Zoella Freeman claimed her second of the game on 69 mins, when she slid in a Chloe Theocharis cross from close range. 

Theocharis then opened her account for the afternoon in the 79^th minute, scoring from ten yards after some good work from Zoella Freeman.  Six minutes later Chloe made it 7-3, when she slotted home after Zoella had her shot saved. 

With 3 minutes to go player of the match skipper Jackie Fearon shot powerfully into the top corner from around 26 yards.

TEAM:  Hills, Herrett, Wiggen, Djoshkoun, Sparrow, Farnum, Blackmore, Fearon, Johnson, Theocharis, Freeman  Subs:  Daniells, Curtis

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Tottenham welcomed Redbridge Raiders to Brimsdown on Sunday and after a fairly tentative start completed a convincing victory. 

The visitors came with only 10 players and due to injury were soon down to nine.  Instead of this making it easier for Spurs, it meant that the final third of the pitch was heavily congested as Redbridge packed their defence.  

Zoella Freeman was unlucky not to open the scoring when in the 19^th minute she shot wide after good work from Gill Blackmore and then in the 23^rd minute after a run and shot from Jenny Curtis, she hit the post. 

Seven minutes later Gill Blackmore shot into the net from 16 yards to start Tottenham Ladies on their way  following some good work from Freeman.

In the 36^th minute, Jenny Curtis burst into the box to get on the end of Zoella's pass, but her shot was saved by the keepers legs.  Then, just before half-time a skirmish saw Chloe Theocharis and a Redbridge defender dismissed.

HALF-TIME  Tottenham 1    Redbridge Raiders 0

The second half started very much like the first and Lorraine Sparrow had a rare shot saved by the keeper after 66 minutes.   Mo Cordes was unlucky when, four minutes later, she had a shot cleared off the line.  29 minutes into the second half, Mo Cordes was hacked down just inside the box and Norwegian Siw Wiggen stepped up to coolly dispatch the resulting spot kick.

Two minutes later Lorraine Sparrow crossed and Zoella Freeman , despite being off balance, swept the ball into the net from 12 yards out.  In the 87^th minute Mo Cordes got the break she deserved when the keeper could not keep out her shot by the post.

In the very last minute Jackie Fearon beat the offside trap ran on to Kim McGhee's through ball rode a tackle on the edge of the box before slotting the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 5-0.

TEAM:  Hills, Herrett, Wiggen, Djoshkoun, Sparrow, Curtis, Blackmore, Fearon, Oshodi, Theocharis, Freeman

Greater London Women's League Premier League

.

Greater London Women's League Premier League

The match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch

Greater London Women's League Premier League

The last game of 2001 saw Tottenham Ladies defeated by an impressive Colney Heath side and some basic defensive errors.  As early as the 6th minute, Colney pounced on an under-hit back-pass from Curtis to take the lead and worse was to come as Spurs struggled to adjust to the pace of the game.  Their keeper, Hills, failed to hold a simple cross and Colney couldn't believe their luck as they put away as early Christmas gift of a second goal in the 32nd minute.

It took just two more minutes for Colney's third; again a poor clearance by the Spurs defence set up a spectacular strike from distance.  This did seem to spark Tottenham into life and Theocharis was unlucky when denied by the fingertips of the opposing keeper.

The home side came out in the second half, just as determined as they were in the first, taking just one minute to rattle the Spurs crossbar.  Hope at last arrived for Spurs in the shape of 60th minute substitute LaToyah Johnson, who, back from injury after an excellent start to the season, took up where she left off by hitting the crossbar and post and seemed to breathe some life into the Spurs attack, but alas, it was all too late.  Just to compound an awful day for the Ladies, the 88th minute saw the dismissal of the former England Under-21 international Gill Blackmore, as the referee harshly adjudged that she handled on the line.  The resulting penalty gave Colney Heath a resounding 4-0 victory.

TEAM:  Hills, Curtis, Wiggen, Herrett, Djoshkoun, Sparrow, Fearon, Oshodi, Blackmore, Theocharis, Freeman.
Subs : - Johnson (60), Cordes (60), Daniells (75)

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Greater London Women's League Premier League

Friendly  (played at Wealdstone FC)