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Tottenham Ladies' season came to an end with
a disappointing defeat in the League Cup semi-final at Long Lane.
Spurs started well with some early
pressure and good link up play between Geena Gordon and Kerry Daniells.
This led to a free kick by Kelly Herrett that was just about stopped on
the line by the Long Lane keeper. Play switched to the Spurs end
and a close range shot from Long Lane was deflected into the goal,
leaving goalkeeper May with no chance whatsoever.
Playing uphill and against a physical Long Lane side, Spurs forced the
play and pressured the home goal. An excellent run down the left
and pull back from Geena was smashed against the post by Jenny Homer.
This was followed up by some neat one touch play, that saw Jenny H again
get a shot on goal, but this time was denied by the crossbar.
Long Lane rallied and applied pressure to the Spurs back line and
goalkeeper May was called upon several times to make saves from point
blank range to keep the score at 1-0. Mel Berry, having a solid
game in midfield, was booked in the last minutes of the half for a
'foul' on the home team's no.10, who was obviously a keen student of
Robert Pires.
In the second half, solid defending and further saves from Laura kept
the score at 1-0, but it was Spurs' failure to clear their lines gave
the Long Lane forward a clear shot on goal to make it two.
A few minutes later Spurs were again punished for sloppy defending and
were again given opportunities to clear their lines that they failed to
take advantage of. Long Lane again capitalised with a shot from
the edge of the box that looped over keeper May to put the game beyond
Spurs' reach at 3-0.
Trying to get back in the game Spurs pushed forward and a nasty
challenge from a LL defender against Rosi Webb led to a red card and a
penalty awarded which Rosi stepped up to take. Although hit with
power it crashed off the crossbar and no Spurs player was able to take
advantage of the rebound.
The game petered out, with Spurs ruing missed chances and indiscipline
that cost them this semi final.
Jackie Fearon
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