The game started and the Reserves were off and running.  As early as the ninth minute the ladies had their first opportunity to score.  Hannah Charman played the ball wide to Sam Garner on the right, who skipped past the defenders as if they were statues.  Having gone round the keeper with the goal at her mercy, she unselfishly passed to Natalie for the tap in.  Unfortunately Natalie Arbuckle was ahead of the ball and given off-side.

Minutes later Natalie, having been put through by Hannah, tried to redeem herself with a strike on goal which the goal keeper comfortably saved.  East Barnet were battling away, but it would be only a matter of time before the Reserves would score.

In the 15^th minute the deadlock was finally broken.  Donkey played the ball wide to Sam, who crossed for Fiona Butterfield to make it 1-0.  With the deadlock broken the Reserves could finally relax and start to play the ball around.

In the 25^th minute, Hannah won the ball in midfield, moved forwards sliding the ball through for Natalie to run on goal. With goalkeeper coming out to meet her she slid the ball passed her to make it 2-0. 

The Reserves were pressing forward continuously meeting little resistance from East Barnet.  The score soon became 3-0, with Fiona doing all the hard work to set up Natalie for a simple tap in.

A corner kick from Katie Taylor was dropped in front of goal by the goal keeper; a goal mouth scramble resulted in Chanel forcing the ball in from close range to make it 4-0.

As the half time approached Sam crossed the ball in for Natalie to complete her hat-trick with a shot from 12 yards out.  5-0 and another pair of boots for Natalie.  At this rate she will be providing boots for the whole team.

The first half was a scrappy affair; an opportunity to play more football was missed in the desire to score goals.

The score-line ensure that the second half was an opportunity to allow players that did not get a regular game to play.  Sonic was replaced by Laura Allen and later Charley Sandford replaced Hannah.

The request for the second half was to be more patient and keep the ball. The goals would come but it was imperative we showed more composure on the ball.  The Reserves started to move the ball around again and were soon back into the groove.  Chanel won the ball in midfield, played the ball through to Fiona, who drew the defender in and played the ball across for Natalie to score her fourth and make it 6-0.  Natalie is fast becoming the female Jimmy Greaves - always in the right place at the right time.

Charley, having battled to win the ball, pressed forward and tried her luck from 25 yards missing the target narrowly as the ball went just over with the keeper beaten.  The game was one way traffic from the start and whenever East Barnet got through, they would not find a way past the defence.

Lizzy De Asha broke away from defence and played the ball to Chanel, who looked up and played the ball down the line for Fiona, who had run into the space.  Chanel continued her run inside Fiona, who was able to beat the defender and square the ball into the path of Chanel.  With the keeper to beat Chanel struck the ball home to make it 7-0.  Good goal, working the ball from the back to the front.

Credit to East Barnet for persevering and were rewarded with a consolation goal towards the end, when a cross from the left behind the defenders allowed their striker to smash the ball home to make it 7-1.

The Reserves won the game 7-1.  They did not play as well as they could have, but still won.  The next test against Newham Ladies will be a different challenge, playing them twice back to back in the league next week at home followed by an away game in the London Women’s County Cup.  The Reserves will need to dig deep and show the same heart and desire as per the first game earlier this season.

Lady of the match would have been easy to award to Natalie for scoring four goals, but she will have to make do with the new boots she will be getting for yet another hat trick.

Lady of the Match: Fiona Butterfield – Unselfish play setting up three goals, when she could have scored herself.

HARRY YENNARIS

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But for two first half chances for Natalie and Hayley, this was by far the worst 45 minutes of football played by the Reserves. The team played with no pattern, urgency or desire.  If you were watching from the sideline you would have thought that this was the first time this team had played together.  At half time the players earned the wrath of the team manager and were left in no uncertain terms that the first half performance was unacceptable.

The second half could not have started in a more positive manner.  The Reserves started the second half with a ball played back to Hannah Charman, who found Chanel Breen.  Chanel played the ball through to Hayley Graham, who played the ball across to Natalie Arbuckle.  Natalie took two touches and rifled the ball home.  90 seconds and seven passes later the ball was in the back of the net.  1-0 to the reserves.  Literally from the restart the Reserves won possession, Hannah played the ball to Fiona Butterfield who played in Hayley, but her shot was easily saved by the keeper.

In the 50^th minute, 1-0 became 2-0. Hannah won the ball on the edge of her own box and cleared the ball to Chanel. She looked up and played the ball into the path of Fiona, who made her run beyond the defender.  Looking up, the Spurs striker drew the defender and squared for Natalie to score her second.  Both goals scored in the opening five minutes by simple pass and move football.

At 2-0 Newham had no choice but to throw caution to the wind and a scramble in the box resulted with Ebony Heath clearing the ball off the line.  From the resulting corner kick, with the ball not being cleared effectively, Lacey Amato was forced to make a great save from the Newham striker.

The Reserves were now in control; leading 2-0 and with Newham chasing the game, this allowed them to exploit any gaps.  A flowing passing move from one end of the field to the other from Hayley, Natalie and Sam Garner resulted in Fiona having her shot saved by the keeper.

In the 70^th minute Charley Sandford came on for Lacey Amato, with Fiona ‘Safe Hands’ Butterfield volunteered to go in goal.

Lizzy De Asha and Laura Allen came on in the 75^th minute to replace Katie Taylor and Chanel Breen.  Mary Griffiths was organising everyone around her protecting our rookie goal keeper, Fiona, by keeping the Newham attacks at bay.

The game finished 2-0 to the Reserves.  If we can play this badly and win imagine how well they could do if we played well.  The lesson from today’s game is that turning up alone is not good enough, you have to put in the work rate and show the desire and will to win. We MUST do better.

Next stop is away to Charlton Ladies in the quarter finals in January.

Lady of the Match : Mary Griffiths – Good organisation and communication of those around her.

HARRY YENNARIS

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Spurs Ladies Reserves winning streak continued with a great first half performance followed by all hands to the pump in the second.  Fortunately, the team were up and running from the first whistle and did not allow Hampstead the time or space to dictate the game.

Hayley Graham returning for the Reserves was soon finding her touch and terrorising the Hampstead defence.  In the 10^th minute Hayley had her first strike on goal, as Charley played the ball to Fiona Butterfield, who set up Hayley to strike.

Hayley wasn’t to be denied though and in the 15^th minute having been played in by Fiona, she was able to drive past the defender and beat the keeper at the near post to make it 1-0.

The Reserves were playing the ball along the ground, making sure the windy conditions did not hinder their approach play.

Charley Sandford and Laura Allen working well in midfield, closing down the opposition and moving the ball around in midfield.  Hannah Charman, playing in defence, was organising the team from the back and stopping the opposition from penetrating the Reserves penalty area.

In the 16^th minute, Fiona won the ball on the edge of the penalty box played the ball to Hayley whose initial drive was saved by the keeper, but like most good strikers was alert enough to square the ball to Fiona to score.  2-0 and yet again great awareness in the box.

The goal of the game was scored in the 20^th minute.  The ball was moved from the Reserves penalty box to the opposing end to score.  Ebony Heath broke away and found Sam Garner wide.  Two touches and she was now tearing down the wing and she looked up to cross for Hayley to smash the ball home coming in from the opposing side to make it 3-0.

Hampstead with nothing to lose surged forward.  A cross into the box was missed by everyone and fell to the striker who shot wide.  In the 30^th minute Hampstead were again unlucky to hit the post from a corner kick. Hampstead deserved at least one goal for there first half efforts.

The second half was a stalemate with neither team really taking charge.  Opportunities were few but credit to both defences who were keeping the opportunities to a minimum.  In the 55^th minute another passing move between Chanel Breen, Fiona and Hayley resulted with Fiona forcing the keeper into a great save.

In the 65^th minute, Kirsty Allen replaced Katie Taylor and Clare Singh replaced Sam.

This was Clare’s first start for the Reserves and she was very quick to get into the action.  A great pass from Charley allowed Clare to break down the right and cross into the middle for Fiona to shoot just wide.

The team display in the second half was very positive; Hannah at the back, Laura and Charley hustling in midfield allowing the forwards Hayley, Sam, Claire, Kirsty, Chanel and Fiona to ensure that the Hampstead keeper was kept busy.

Next week the Reserves face top of the table Hemel Hempstead, who are undefeated this season.  This should be a good bench mark for the Reserves.

Lady of the Match: Hayley Graham – Two goals gave her the edge from Hannah who was excellent at the back.

HARRY YENNARIS

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Hampstead  1     Leyton  5    
East Barnet  0      Katabella  2    

Newham Womens  7     East Barnet  1      

The Reserves started well pushing the ball around and retaining possession.  Hayley Graham was playing well on the wing and driving forward at every opportunity keeping Hendon on the back foot.

In the 12^th minute, Hayley picked up the ball and drove forward.  A great run by Natalie Arbuckle pulled the centre back wide allowing Hayley to slide the ball through to Chanel Breen to strike towards goal and make it 1-0.

The Reserves were controlling the game and for long periods had Hendon pushed back in their own half.  The midfield of Hayley, Laura Allen, Hannah Charman and Katie Taylor were holding Hendon back and not allowing them access to the defenders.

In the 25^th minute Laura won the ball in the middle of the park and played the ball up to Natalie, who was able to set the ball back for Laura to strike from 20 yards to make it 2-0.  It was now a question of how many the Reserves would score as they were in complete control of the game.

In the 30^th minute a magnificent diagonal pass from Hannah to Hayley split the defence and the winger took the ball forward and smashed the ball with her second touch forcing the keeper to make a great save.  A swift passing move from Ebony Heath, Mary Griffiths and Hannah allowed Laura to pass the ball through to Natalie, who slid the ball pass the keeper to make it 3-0.

The Reserves went in at half time leading 3-0, but with room for improvement.

The Reserves started the second half in the same vein as they had finished the first, when Ebony picked up the ball and passed the ball to Hayley.  She played a one-two with Chanel and was able to play the ball into Katie Taylor’s path.  Katie’s strike on goal was blocked by the defender.  The next move saw Hayley flying down the wing and fire a great cross, which resulted in the Hendon defender deflecting the ball into her own goal to make it 4-0.

In the 50^th minute Charley Sandford replaced Hannah and shortly after, from a Rocket free kick, Charley somehow missed an open goal from two yards out.  Katie playing well on the left and drove down the line, playing the ball into Natalie and then continued her run.  Natalie shielded the ball and then back heeled the ball back to Katie who shot first time forcing the keeper to save.  It was Katie's last involvement, as she was replaced by Sam in the 60^th minute.

Hendon for all their endeavours were struggling to break into the Reserves half.  Hayley scored to make it 5-0.  The goal was worked well on the left by Chanel, who played the ball into Natalie.  Natalie turned and crossed for Hayley to side foot home.

The final goal of the game was scored by Natalie; the pleasing factor here was that the move that led to the goal started from Lacey in goal.  The ball was fed to Laura, onto Hayley who beat the defender and crossed into Chanel, who laid the ball into Natalie's path to strike home.

We were then left with the humour of the afternoon, a ball cleared struck Mary on the side leaving a ball imprinted on her shirt and the referee awarded a penalty kick to Hendon to the astonishment of every player on the field and touchline ... including the opposition.  Perhaps justice was done, when the Hendon player struck the spot-kick straight down the middle and Lacey dived to hold the ball at the second attempt and preserve the clean sheet.

How far the Reserves succeed this season will depend on the players’ application.  For this team to reach its potential - its maximum potential - each player must be willing to sacrifice their personal goals to the good of the team.  It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares about who gets the credit.
 

Lady of the Match: Natalie Arbuckle – Scoring two and creating two goals gave her the edge over Hayley, who was excellent on the wing.

HARRY YENNARIS

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The game started off well for the Reserves.  As early as the sixth minute, the Reserves had their first opportunity with Kirsty Allen shooting over the bar. 

The game was pretty level neither team creating many goal scoring opportunities.

In the 20^th minute Ebony Heath was able to calmly clear the ball away as it trickled towards the goal following a shot from Flamingoes striker.

In the 26^th minute, the Reserves finally broke through.  A through ball by Chanel Breen sent Natalie and Fiona towards goal; the race was on who would get there first before the goalkeeper.  The three of them arrived at the same time with two defenders who were chasing back, but through the melee Fiona was able to loft the ball over the defenders and into the empty net.

The Reserves were leading 1-0 and looking comfortable.

In the 30^th minute Fiona played the ball through for Natalie to shoot wide, but in the 33^rd minute, a break away by Flamingoes resulted in the ball being cleared for a corner kick.  The initial corner was cleared by Sarah Mair at the near post for another corner.  The second corner was again met by Sarah, but unfortunately this time, her header went straight inside the far post for the Flamingoes equaliser.

33 minutes played and the scores were now 1-1.

The next 12 minutes left a serious question mark regarding the mental toughness of the players and their desire to succeed.

In the 34^th minute a mazy run by the left midfield player ghosted by four half hearted challenges and crossed from the touchline for the right midfield player to run in and score.  In the 40^th minute the ball was played into the Flamingoes centre forward who despite being surrounded was able to shield the ball from seven Reserve players and play the ball back for a player to shoot from the edge of the box to make it 3-1 to the Flamingoes.

In the 43^rd minute the defence were again caught not clearing their lines, with the ball being crossed into the middle for a tap in front of goal to make it 4-1 to Flamingoes.  In the 45^th minute an innocuous knock into the penalty area allowed yet another free header for the striker to make it 5-1 to Flamingoes.

In the space of 12 minutes the reserves had conceded five goals and every one was due to poor defending whether it was by the defence or midfield players.  No words can explain the shocking defending by the team.

The second half started like the first, with the Reserves having the upper hand and pressing forward.  Within the first minute of the restart, Kirsty was again through on goal, but lacked the belief and conviction shooting straight at the keeper.

After sustaining early pressure, in the 55^th minute the Flamingoes finally broke away into the Reserves half.  Their first shot in the second half was pushed wide by Lisa McCabe, but another Flamingoes player ran into tap in to make it 6-1.

In the 61^st minute, the ball was played up to the Flamingoes strikers.  The ball was allowed to bounce twice in the box before a Flamingoes player rammed the ball home.  7-1.  In the 80^th minute, having not learnt any lessons all day the ball was played into the box where everyone stood and watched as the Flamingoes striker made it 8-1.

Fortunately the referee called time on the game to put everyone out of their misery.

A shocking defeat which should be a wake up call to the team that they need to turn up and be on their game from the beginning.  This result will be either make or break the team.

The players will need to show greater desire if they have any ambitions to succeed.

in the next game Spurs Reserves face Charlton in the quarter finals of the London Cup.

Lady of the Match: Fiona Butterfield – Scoring the only goal and working tirelessly for the team.

HARRY YENNARIS

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The gulf between Division 2 North and Women’s Premier League was evident.  This was the equivalent of Liverpool v Havant & Waterlooville  in the FA Cup 4^th round.

From the start the Reserves were under pressure and with the wind behind them, Charlton pressed forward at will. In the 13^th minute the ball was played to the Charlton striker, who was able to hold off Rocket and lay the ball back to a midfield player that had not been tracked to rifle the ball home from 20 yards.

Unlike the last game, this time the Reserves took it on the chin and came fighting back.  A through ball by Hannah put Natalie through who shot just wide.  In the 25^th minute Charlton made the score 2-0, when a clearance by the defence fell to a midfield player, who was allowed the time to pick her spot and shot home from 25 yards.

Lacey Amato was having an outstanding game, but there was nothing she could have done with either strike.  The Reserves were battling away, but could not find a way past the Charlton defence.  In the 40^th minute a move down the right wing resulted in a diving header at the far post to make it the 3-0 at half time.

The Reserves came out for the second half firing on all cylinders.  The first 10 minutes of the second half was dominated by the Reserves, but they could not get the goal they deserved.

In the 50^th minute Charlton broke away down the right.  A fierce shot from the edge of the box was pushed onto the bar by Lacy with the ball dropping on the line.  The referee's assistant indicated that the ball had crossed the line and the referee awarded the goal.  4-0 to Charlton. 

Charley Sandford came on to replace Katie Taylor who started to tire.  The never say die attitude of the Reserves was finally rewarded. In the 73^rd minute, a cross into the box was cleared by the Charlton defence, but the ball fell to Hannah Charman, who volleyed the ball home from 22 yards.  Great goal and well deserved.

From the restart Charlton attacked.  A missed tackle by the defence allowed the Charlton midfield player to break away, a deep cross was knocked back across the goal for the striker to tap in from close range and make it 5-1.

Chanel Breen came on to replace Lizzie De Asha with 15 minutes left to play.

In the 85^th minute to round off the Reserves day, a misplaced pass across the back by the defenders allowed Charlton through on goal to make it 6-1.

The positives from today’s game is that despite being outclassed, we still attempted to do the right things and play our football.  The Reserves are unlikely to face such strong opposition again this year and should look forward to the rest of the season.

Its been a great season despite losing in both cup competitions and all their efforts should now focus on the league to ensure that all their efforts are rewarded at the end of the season.

Lady of the Match: Lacy Amato – Great saves throughout the game to keep the score at six.

HARRY YENNARIS

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Considering the last two games resulted in defeats the Reserves appeared to be in good spirits and keen to get started, well those that turned up at least.

The team started well getting the ball down and starting to move the ball around. The midfield players were comfortable to get the ball down and play backwards as well as forwards.  Sam Garner back from lengthy lay off was quickly getting back into the swing of things and creating opportunities for the strikers.

In the 15^th minute Fiona Butterfield finally broke the deadlock chipping in from 20 yards over the advancing goalkeeper from Laura Allen’s through ball.

Five minutes later it was Natalie's turn from Sarah Mair's pass, but unfortunately handled the ball in her attempt to control it before shooting narrowly wide.

In the 25^th minute the same combination worked again but this time Natalie was able to control the ball and slide the ball home to make it 2-0.

The Reserves were not allowing Hampstead any time on the ball constantly pressing to win possession.

In the 35^th minute Fiona scored her second goal in the game.  This time good play from Sam opened up the space allowing Fiona to run through on goal to score to make it 3-0.

In the 40^th minute Katie Taylor won the ball at the back, played it into midfield to Chanel who ghosted past two opponents and played the ball to Fiona, who took the ball forward and struck with venom towards goal which the keeper was able to get a hand to the ball.  As it made its way towards the goal Natalie followed up and smashed the ball home from six yards to make sure.

4-0 and both Fiona and Natalie had scored twice.

The message at half time was simple, do not relent and allow the opposition time to get back into the game.

Charley Sandford came on for Katie Taylor at half time and to their credit the Reserves did not relent in their application in the second half.  They started as strong as they had finished the first.  Laura was having a great time in midfield alongside Sarah, winning tackles, breaking up play and trying to find players in the same shirt.  From another intervention she launched the ball forwards, the Hampstead defenders hesitated and allowed Natalie to muscle through to make it 5-0 and complete her hat trick.  Another pair of boots will soon be finding their way to her again.

The team were playing well and using the game to regain some of the confidence which had been dented previously.

In the 65^th minute, Charley won the ball in midfield and threaded the ball to Natalie who turned and fired hard and low to score her fourth.  6-0 and Natalie had scored four.

In the last 20 minutes the team kept the ball well and created a number of opportunities, but instead of looking for the easiest pass everyone wanted to score and as a result where not able to increase the goal count.

On the plus side, it was a joy to see smiles on the Reserves' faces again after two very heavy defeats.  What this team accomplishes will be measured at the end of the season, but its imperative that they do not rest on their laurels and blow it all way. That would be a shame.

Well played today but you are only as good as your next game.

C’mon you Reserves ... let's be having you.

Lady of the Match: Sam Garner – Contributed throughout the game with three assists.

HARRY YENNARIS

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The day did not get to great start, having arrived early and prepared for a 1.30 k.o. only to be told that all games were running late and would not be starting until 2 p.m.

The game, once started, was influenced by the heavily blustery conditions.  The conditions should have influenced the Reserves to the fact that they would need to keep the ball on the floor, but instead resorted to same kick and run tactics of their opponents.

On the few occasions that the Reserves did get the ball down and play was resulted in their best opportunities to score.

In the 17^th minute, Spurs received the ball from midfield, played the ball to Fiona Butterfield who spread the ball wide to Sam Garner.  Sam burst down the right wing and crossed to Katie Taylor on the far side who joined the Kanu club by missing an open goal from five yards.

In the 25^th minute Natalie broke away, took her shot early forcing the keeper to save to her right.

Up to this point the reserves were comfortable and in control, The game was being played in difficult conditions but the team was under no real pressure from Dynamos.

In the 35^th minute, the self destruct button was pressed. Lisa threw the ball wide to Ebony Heath, who tried to cut inside the oncoming attacker, unfortunately the ball got away from her and the attacker was able to shoot from 25 yards over Lisa McCabe into the empty net.

This was Dynamos first strike on goal.

The reserves huffed and puffed but having resorted to kick and run football were never creating any clear opportunities.

At half time Hayley Graham replaced Katie Taylor.  In the sixth minute of the second half Sarah Mair played the ball through for Natalie Arbuckle to run through and lob the ball over the advancing keeper to equalise.

In the 14^th minute a corner by Dynamo allowed them a free header which went straight to the keeper, Unfortunately Lisa was unable to hold onto the ball and presented the Dynamo player with a simple tap in. 1-2 to Dynamos.

In the 16^th minute the reserves battled back, Hayley played the ball through for Natalie, this time her shot was to weak over the advancing keeper who was able to turn and get hold of the ball.

The game became very scrappy with neither team getting the ball down and trying to play on the ground. The reserves were creating opportunities but were not releasing the ball early enough to convert them into goal scoring opportunities.

Jade Perrin replaced Natalie with 30 minutes left to play; Charley Sandford replaced Laura Allen with 20 minutes left.

The reserves were struggling to close the ball down from up front and midfield which resulted in the defence being under pressure from the constant launching of the ball to the front. Eventually in the 40^th minute Dynamo scored again, the ball was launched over the top and the attacker lobbed the ball over Lisa to make it 1-3.

Congratulations to Dynamo and good luck in the next round, but the Reserves need to raise their game, as today’s performance was very much below par.

The biggest disappointment of the day was left to the end when Jade, Charley and Katie decided that they would walk off whilst everyone else was continuing with the warm down.  This showed a complete lack of respect to everyone else.

In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first - ahead of their own personal glory.

Lady of the Match: Hayley Graham – Came off the bench and made a difference.

HARRY YENNARIS

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