Tottenham Hotspur Ladies -

Reserves 

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

3

The sides were very evenly matched in the first half, with both teams creating chances and it took a goal in the 30th minute to break the deadlock.  Angela Dewar (one of the club's new signings from Arsenal 3rds) struck to put Spurs 1-0 up, scoring her first goal for the club on her League debut.  QPR struck shortly before the break to level the score.

The second half saw Spurs having 90% of the possession, the constant pressure bringing a goal from Leona Dewar in the 57th minute (again, another signing from Arsenal 3rds scoring on her League debut), but a cross was not cleared and QPR drew level once more.

Less than 60 seconds from the resulting kick-off, QPR picked up a sloppy pass in the middle of the field and the cross from the left needed no assistance as it flew in the net for an almost identical goal.

Spurs then threw everything at QPR, with less than 10 minutes remaining to find an equaliser.  An estimated eight scoring chances could not find the target until Natalie Hussein struck in the 89th minute, her shot rolling in to ensure an equal share of the points.

Not the easiest team to start the season with, QPR being a strong team on their day.  Pleasing to equalise and share the points and also to see that Spurs do not give up until the final whistle.  Although the many chances squandered in front of goal and the amount of possession we had should have been capitalised on to see us win this game easily.  his match has shown us where we need to improve for the coming season.

LA

Wimbledon 3rds

1

The second half was very patchy, Tottenham finding it difficult to settle, although there was plenty of attacking play.  The 55th minute brought a second goal for Tracy Ryan, before she reverted to a more familiar role on the left wing.  Joanne Barton then struck in the 66th minute, an excellent strike, to score her first goal for Tottenham.  Sam Wooden came on to replace Kate Sparrey, who was feeling ill.

Wimbledon pulled a goal back on 70 minutes; a bizarre goal resulting from an over-hit back pass, which gave the Spurs keeper little chance, despite a valiant attempt to head it away.

Despite winning this game, the mood of the whole team was one of disappointment.  Play was poor and the chances that were created were not capitalised on.  In comparison to last year's 10-0 victory, this was a poor performance and we should have won by a greater margin.

Individual performances were adequate, but one person who did stand out was Joanne Barton, playing in an unfamiliar role of midfield.  Her heading, tackling and commanding of the midfield were justly rewarded with an excellent goal.

LA

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

4

Sustained pressure brought a second goal, midfielder Natalie Hussein scoring in the 17th minute.  A stunning save from goalkeeper Nicky Vale kept Spurs' sheet clean and we struck again in the 38th minute, with a goal from Leona Dewar.

The second half performance was less than impressive, bringing only one goal on 80 minutes, again from Leona Dewar.  Sam Wooden came on shortly after for the injured Lorraine Ashard.

The pitch was in bad condition, which was not conducive to Spurs' style of play and was responsible for three injuries to Spurs players.  The play started brightly for the first 20 or so minutes, but play deteriorated from there.  Lack of organisation, shape and discipline showed as we allowed a team of Camberwell's calibre several chances to score, al of which were thankfully missed !  Whilst we created some good scoring opportunities, we failed to convert them to goals.  An outstanding all round performance by goalkeeper Nicky Vale kept the sheet clean and she was arguably our best player on the day.

LA

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

7

A Zoella Freeman hat-trick lead the way and further goalscoring contributions from Natalie Hussein 2, Leona Dewar and Michaela Richardson wrapped up an assured victory.

Romford

3

Goals from Angela Dewar and Tracy Ryan were not enough to prevent Spurs' exit from the competition.

Arsenal IV

4

Spurs had scored through Allyson Browne, Tracy Ryan, Zoella Freeman and Lucy Barton to equal out the goals conceded, but after extra time, the teams could still not be separated, so the penalty kicks were required to determine who went through to the Second Round.

In the tense atmosphere of the shoot-out, Spurs held their nerve and won out 5-3 to progress in the competition, with Michaela Richardson, Sam Wooden, Angela Dewar, Zoella Freeman and Lucy Barton being the successful penalty scorers for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

1

Barnet Reserves

0

Tracy Ryan went on to add a second half hat-trick on 48, 73 and 87 minutes, with Leona Dewar adding a further goal in the 61st minute.

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

18

A goal on 50 seconds by Handan Djoshkoun opened the way for four goals from Natalie Hussein (34, 60, 65, 70) to lead the way on the goalscoring front.

Tracy Ryan got two in the 4th and 62nd minutes, as did Kate Sparrey (5, 27), Zoella Freeman (68, 71), Teresa Broderick (61, 73) and Joe Howard (84, 87).  The latter two were scoring their first goal for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

Single strikes from Michaela Richardson (6 min), Angela Dewar (49) and Joanne Barton (82) wrapped up the total for Spurs.

Only defender Lorraine Ashard and goalkeeper Nicky Vale were left goal-less in this free-for-all.

LA

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

1

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

-

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

6

The second half saw better attacking play from Spurs and Tracy Ryan notched another goal on 50 minutes to make it 4-0.

Substitute Sam Wooden came on in the second half and struck to make it 5-0 and Natalie Hussein hit the last goal of the game to ensure entry into the next round.

Tottenham Hotspur Reserves

1

Wimbledon then took the lead in the second half and this seemed to unsettle Spurs, despite a Kate Sparrey goal on 59 minutes to level the score.  Tottenham's passing failed and there was, at times, total disorganisation. Wimbledon then struck another to take the lead for the second time.

Wimbledon had specifically set their tactics around our type of play and defended very well. However, Tottenham still created many chances and should have put one or two of them away to possibly secure the game in the first half.

Once Wimbledon scored, Spurs were unsettled and lost their confidence.  Wimbledon battled well and were delighted to beat us for the first time and they deserved their win.

LA

QPR Ladies

1

Tottenham settled down and tried to regain their advantage and their pressure paid off on 36 minutes, when the referee awarded a penalty for a push in the box.  Tracy Ryan stepped up to convert the spot kick and give Tottenham a 2-1 lead.

The second half saw some excellent play by Tottenham, particularly midfielder Natalie Hussein, whose marvellous solo run deserved a goal, her shot going inches wide.  Substitute Handan Djoshkoun also played excellently in an attacking defensive role, hitting a two yard pass to find Tracy Ryan, again the move deserved a goal.

As the 90th minute arrived, we added to our tally, Tracy Ryan grabbing a second of the match.

We gave a much improved performance from last week's game against Wimbledon.  The passing was, at times, wonderful and so much a trademark of Tottenham.  However, we still have a problem converting chances, when we are creating the opportunities. Hopefully, the return of striker Leona Dewar, back from injury, will help solve this problem.

Natalie Hussein played well, but man of the match was Teresa Broderick for a great display in defence as well as adding an attacking option to the right wing.  Her marking, tackling and passing were second to none.  Another solid performance.

LA 

Hackney B

0

Another high scoring game saw Tottenham triumph with goals from
Michaela Richardson   7 mins
Natalie Hussein           22 mins
Sam Wooden              40 mins
Sam Wooden              44 mins
Angela Dewar              47 mins
Own goal                      77 mins
Natalie Hussein            84 mins
Michaela Richardson   89 mins
Allyson Browne            90 mins

Spurs played exceptionally well from the start of the game to the end of it, every player giving an excellent performance.  However, the opposition was very poor, so we can't get carried away.

LA 

Welwyn Garden City

0

However, despite their Fifth Division placing, Welwyn were very organised and determined, and gave Tottenham no time on the ball, closing down very well.

We continued to pressure Welwyn in the second half and capitalise din the 48th minute, skipper Lorraine Ashard heading in from a corner kick.

Spurs sealed victory in the 80th minute with a goal from Michaela Richardson to make it 3-0 and ensuring Spurs a place in the semi-finals.

Despite winning our last game 9-0, the girls were all aware that the opposition was of a poor standard, and that we couldn't be carried away.  We knew this would be a different game entirely, as Cup games always are, and everyone played admirably.

We soaked up some heavy pressure from the visitors and an encouraging sign was the fact that we were not unnerved by the pressure, and our football didn't fall apart.  Everyone did what was asked of them.  A notable change to the team was the switch from defence to midfield for Michaela Richardson, the team now benefiting from a stable, better organised midfield.

LA 

Redbridge Wanderers

1

Spurs increased the pressure in the second half and it looked like it had paid off in the 52nd minute, an own goal drawing the teams level.

The winning goal came form an inspired substitution by manager Tracey Clay; striker Sam Wooden scoring in the 85th minute.  However, victory was soured by what many thought was an unjustified sending off for Joanne Barton, with 30 seconds of the game left to play.

Redbridge proved to be tough opposition, fairly well organised and willing to battle, although they tended to play the long ball game.  In the bad weather conditions, our football tended to suffer and the team, as a whole, did not play well and we were lucky to win.

The female referee (the first we've had I believe) was of a very bad standard, her decisions erratic and misjudged at times, and this appeared to unsettle the Spurs side.  We can perhaps take the view that we still won the game despite playing badly.

LA 

Camberwell

0

Lorraine Ashard and two strikes from Tracy Ryan gave Spurs a well earned home win over Camberwell.

The game went ahead despite blustering winds that made conditions very difficult.  After coming close with two or three attempts, the pressure led to a Tottenham free-kick from which skipper Lorraine Ashard scored for a 1-0 lead on 27 minutes.

In the second half, Spurs missed a chance to further their lead, Tracy Ryan failing to convert a penalty kick (the Camberwell keeper saving it), but Spurs did go 2-0 up in the 52nd minute when awarded a second penalty.  Tracy Ryan successful on her second attempt.

In the 87th minute, Tracy again found the back of the net, a superb free-kick to beat the keeper.

Spurs didn't play their best football, but we still won, in much the same vein as last week's win over Redbridge.  Conditions were difficult and Spurs did well to play to them, keeping the ball on the ground in the second half.

We can play better, so it's heartening to know that we can still produce a win when we don't play so well. 

LA 

Tottenham Hotspur

4

Despite starting the game well with a Tracy Ryan goal in the 3rd minute, the home side equalised shortly afterwards with a converted penalty.  Kate Sparrey regained Spurs' lead, with a fantastic chip over the keeper in the 33rd minute to make it 2-1 to Spurs at half-time.

In what must be one of the most eventful games of the season, Comets then equalised and proceeded to grab a further two goals to make the score 4-2 to them with eight minutes left.

A Michaela Richardson free-kick on 82 minutes gave a glimmer of hope and Tracy Ryan saved the day with a goal in the 89th minute.

The game was very tough, but what made it so much harder by what seemed the most appalling display of bias by the referee.  A single linesman, who also happened to be the opposition's manager flagged almost every Tottenham move for offside, yet as we had to abandon the offside trap as every attempt failed. 

Tottenham did not get more than three decisions in the whole match and frustration boiled over into disbelief as the ref seemingly gave every decision to the Comets.  Upon triumphantly getting one free-kick, Tottenham striker Leona Dewar clapped and cheered, and was duly sent off, having been booked previously.  It felt like we were playing 12 people, the ref seemingly determined to gift victory to Comets.

Spurs did extremely well to pull this one back, but if we had been able to capitalise on our break-throughs (many of which were clearly onside), we would probably have won by a clear margin. 

LA

Tottenham Hotspur

2

Tottenham Reserves had made it to the semi-final of the Sue Sharples Cup for the third time in four seasons - an admirable record.  Captain for the day was Tracy Ryan, who was handed the armband  as the game was being played on the anniversary of her mother's death.

Despite being in a lower division than Tottenham (in the 6th div. I believe), Millwall were well organised and a good side.  They took the lead in the early stages before play stopped in the 13th minute - an ambulance being called for a Millwall player with a dislocated kneecap.  Millwall were now down to 10 and play resumed for a further five minutes before central defender Lorraine Ashard was taken off - a head injury which deemed it unsafe for her to continue.  Substitute Allyson Browne came on in midfield and Michaela Richardson reverted to defence.  

Tottenham pulled themselves back into the game with a goal from Leona Dewar, a superb strike to level the scores.

The second half saw countless attacks fail as Millwall's offside trap worked time and time again.  Millwall took the lead again, with a direct free-kick placed high, leaving keeper Kay Lovelock little chance.

Time seemed to be running out for Tottenham with two or three good chances being missed before Natalie Hussein sprang the offside trap and ran through to equalise, a well taken shot beating the keeper in the 88th minute.

It seemed as though extra time wouldn't be able to separate the two teams and penalties loomed.  With two minutes left of extra time however, the Tottenham keeper failed to hold on to a corner kick and Millwall put away the loose ball to see them through to the final.

Defender Joe Howard was sent off late into extra time, for a foul on a goal-bound Lioness, although she had not been previously booked and it seemed a harsh decision, with less than five minutes left of extra time.

Tottenham were unsettled for the first ten minutes, but play improved as the game went on.  Three or four chances could have won us the game, but it wasn't to be.  Injuries may have been a factor, but we cannot use this as an excuse; Millwall were a very good team and we wished them luck in the final. 

LA

Tottenham Hotspur

1

The Barnet manager stood in as ref for this important fixture and the game was played in a good spirit compared to the previous meeting of the two teams.  Both teams were evenly matched but Tottenham took the lead on 30 minutes, with Natalie Hussein stealing in from a corner.

However, a Barnet player cleared the ball in midfield and as it headed towards the Tottenham goal, keeper Kay Lovelock failed to catch it, palming it onto the upright before it fell in to draw the teams level.  It goes down as a Barnet goal on 40 minutes.

The team played well, although we still have a problems scoring goals, which have cost us games at times.  We should have won this fixture, even at 1-0, because Barnet never looked like scoring and failed to threaten the Tottenham goal for the remainder of the game - but a goalkeeping error lost us this game.

LA

Tottenham Hotspur

2

Spurs took the lead on three minutes with a goal from Angela Dewar and strengthened their lead with another on 27 minutes from Kate Sparrey before Redbridge clawed their way back into the game on 31 minutes, a hesitation in defence allowing the home team to score.

Despite concerted pressure in the second half, the home team again scored to equalise on 63 minutes - an excellent save from the Tottenham keeper not enough to stop the striker pouncing on the rebound.  The offside flag was unfortunately ignored by the referee and the goal stood.

Despite constant pressure, from Spurs for the remaining 25 minutes, we couldn't find a winner and had to settle for a point.

Spurs were hoping (for the only time in their history !) for an Arsenal win over Barnet, as this would ensure Tottenham's promotion to the Third Division.  However, Barnet surprisingly won the fixture and Spurs are left needing a single point from two remaining games to ensure promotion.  Those last two games of the season being against South London Women and Arsenal.

Tottenham Hotspur

South London Women

1 

Spurs welcomed South London Women for the first fixture at their new ground, Brimsdown Rovers FC.  Sitting second in the League, Tottenham needed just one point from the game to secure promotion to the Third Division.

Tottenham quickly settled into their passing game and pressurised South London from the off.  Scoring in the early stages, Natalie Hussein established a lead for the home side on 11 minutes.  Several further attempts on goal proved unsuccessful as we were either caught offside or woefully inaccurate in front of goal.  It took a penalty in the 27th minute to further our lead; a South London lady handling a goal-bound shot.  Tracy Ryan converted to make it 2-0 at half time.

in the second half, Tottenham were too slow to close down the opposition and a long shot found the back of the net on 72 minutes, giving keeper Kay Lovelock no chance.  Spurs replied almost immediately with a goal from Tracy Ryan three minutes later, consolidating our lead at 3-1.

Substitute Sam Wooden also got on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net on 79 minutes to secure the points - and promotion !

Every team member knew that a win was the only result we'd be happy with - and we got it.  Everyone played well, although we were caught offside far too many times and our shooting in front of goal was woefully inadequate.  Defensively, we had tightened up, but the opposition were not very well organised, which may have been a factor.

When you consider that away to South London Ladies, we beat them 7-1, you could say this was not a good result.  Our last game of the season, is against Arsenal 3rds.  Win, lose or draw, we have promotion - bit in the time-honoured tradition of London derbies, we will play as if our lives depended on it !!

Substitutions : - Handan Djoshkoun for Kate Sparrey (70 minutes)
                           Sam Wooden for Angela Dewar (73 minutes)

LA

Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal 3rds

3

In the last game of the season, with promotion secured for both sides, no one would expect an overly exciting game - except when the two teams are Arsenal and Spurs.

It was purely a case of playing for pride, but Tottenham were determined not to lose this, the second League fixture, having suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first meeting.

Spurs began well, with Tracy Ryan scoring on 20 minutes with a well-executed Tottenham attack.  Some determined defending kept the score at 1-0 until the half-time whistle.  The visitors equalised on 53 minutes with a well-taken free-kick, before Spurs replied almost immediately; a goal from Natalie Hussein restoring our lead one minute later. 

Arsenal then equalised again, another free-kick giving them a foothold in the game on 59 minutes.  Arsenal then took the lead for the first time in the game, an offside trap failing as the Reds' forward powered through to score on 65 minutes.  The goal looked to have secured all three points for the Gunners before an excellent Tracy Ryan free-kick (in the 91st minute of play !) nestled in the back of the net and broke Arsenal hearts.

Spurs gave a very spirited performance and never let their heads drop despite twice losing the lead.  We again displayed our never-say-die attitude and we could have kept the ball on the ground a bit more and we sometimes wait for the ball to come to us and this showed as Arsenal attacked the ball very well.  Hopefully, we will improve in this area.  We did well not to resort to their long ball tactics and it was an enjoyable game for both teams.

LA

We are indebted to Lorraine Ashard who provided match reports 
for the above matches.