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Old
Actonians Reserves, the 2008-2009 Russell Cup finalists, travelled to
North London today to take on Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Reserves in the
Third Round of the John Greenacre Memorial Trophy.
Old
Actonians play in the Greater London League Division 3 South; two
divisions lower than Spurs Reserves and lay mid table with six games in
hand over division 3 South leaders AFC Fulham. With this in mind Spurs
were confident victory would be routine.
Spurs
kick off
and although the
early
play was not inspiring, with the ball spending a lot of time loose from
passes not being completed, chances did start to come. A third
minute corner from Kirsten Shaw dropped in the six-yard box and led to a
scramble that was cleared. With a large share of the early
possession, Spurs failed to make it count, as Shaw struck a shot over
the top from six yards out and Fiona Butterfield was thwarted by the
keeper, who dived at her feet on the edge of the box.
Kirsten
Shaw placed a free-kick just over the bar and two in-swinging corners
from Leesa Shields caused problems for the Actonians defence. In
the 23rd minute, a goal came from the boot of Fiona Butterfield, who
struck her shot through a mass of players to beat the goalie.
An
unsuccessful appeal for handball by an Old Actonian in the area was not
awarded and with ten minutes to half-time, Spurs Ladies allowed the
opposition time and space to build up from their own half and the move
was finished with an equaliser.
There
were chances at both ends, with Jenny Curtis heading over a free-kick
from Actonians and then another Shields corner causing havoc and
resulting in Shaw going close with a shot from five yards out. The
break gave the teams an opportunity to draw breath and Spurs turned
around playing into the face of an icy easterly wind.
Tottenham started well, with a spell of pressure and a series of
corners, but none lead to a serious chance being created. Seven
minutes in, Old Actonians nearly took the lead with a lob over Ricole
Vyse, but luckily for Spurs, the ball bounced wide. Both Sasha
Kelly and Leesa Shields went close, before a ball into the box from the
right wing was stopped by an Old Actonians hand and this time the
referee pointed to the spot in the 59th minute. Kirsten Shaw
stepped up to take the spot-kick, but the keeper guessed the right way
and fell to her left to keep the ball out.
With
Fiona Butterfield having a shot saved in the 61st minute, it looked as
though Spurs were pressing for the all-important next goal in the game,
but against the run of play, three minutes later, a shot from outside
the area through a packed penalty area ended with the ball in the back
of the Tottenham net to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
The goal
sparked a triple substitution, with
Charlotte Snow, Dee Gilbert and Charlie Archer coming on to replace
Kirsten Shaw, Fran Hussey and Beth Richards.
Snow
made a lively start, getting into a good position inside penalty box and
making good contact with the ball, but the keeper saved the drive on
goal. Sasha Kelly also tested the keeper from the edge of the box,
but once more the Old Actonians goalie proved equal to the test.
With time running out, Spurs were vulnerable to the counter-attack and
Acontians forced a corner, which Ricole Vyse made a good save from but
this only lead to the clock ticking down on what soon proved to be a cup
exit for Tottenham.
Occasionally, Spurs Reserves played some very nice football, and when in
combination play they looked very professional. Regretfully, for most
of the 90 minutes Spurs put in an uncharacteristic performance showing a
lack of composure which was costly. Regaining possession was not a
problem for Tottenham, but controlling possession was and all too often
passes were not completed. Spurs will rue the opportunities missed from
the many corners they had during the game and will now have to
concentrate on the league programme ahead.
Old
Actonians played in orange shirt, shorts and socks; Spurs played Lilly
white shirt, blue shorts and white socks.
Referee Mr. B Townsend.
amanda o'neill |