watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
headstone manor  -    
lner  -    

The season is finally drawing to an end and with one more game to go next week this was a game Spurs Ladies Thirds wanted to win to finish as high in the league as they can after losing out on the title last weekend.

The aim of today’s game was to forget the disappointment of not claiming the title and putting in a good solid team performance, which the girls did from the first whistle.  They attacked straight away and within five minutes they were in front from a Ruby Marlow finish.  The girls continued their passing football that had helped them during the season and by half time they had opened up a four goal lead with goals coming from Becky Shephard, who hit two and Chloe Kraemer.

The half time score 0-4

The second half was just as good as the first, but the girls seemed to change into Chelsea and missed chance after chance and only managed to score another two, which were from Sasha Kelly and Chloe Kraemer hitting her second of the match.

The final score finished 0-6 but with the chances spurs made it should have been well into double figures.

Manager’s comments 

A good professional performance by the girls after last week's disappointment, but credit to Alexandra Park Ladies for battling to the end even though they had been outclassed by a very young and still developing team. 

One game to go and hopefully a win to finish of the season nicely. 

Player of the match was Chloe Kraemer for her superb wing play and well taken goals.  

dave shephard

watford development  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
headstone manor  -    
east london  -    
lner  -    

The girls started the first game brightly and were camped in the opposition for most of the first half, with minutes remaining the visitors broke out and with their only attack in the half took an undeserved lead into the break.

The girls knew what had to be done and went out in the second half much as they did in the first and attacked the opposition.  This was rewarded with a penalty which Gill Blackmore calmly slotted home and with the game now level.  Spurs pushed on and got a deserved lead through Isabella List, as the first game finished with a 2-1 win for  Spurs and their title hopes still on. 

The second game was a bit like the first with Tottenham dominating the opposition, but, without their usual strike force, goals were hard to find.  The visitors again had one attack in the first half and scored against run of play, so the girls had to work hard again in the second half to turn this game around, but it was not to be and a game Spurs had 90% of had ended in defeat. 

Manager’s comments

The girls knew that they had to win their last four games to lift the title and this defeat has ended their title challenge for this season.  The girls should be proud of what they have achieved this season as they were thrown together a week before the season started with no pre-season matches, no training together beforehand and have produced some great football this season.  There are still two games left of the season and the girls will look to finish with two wins, but at the moment it is hard to believe they cannot win the league title, but this will make the girls stronger and more determined next season. 

These girls have battled all season and in the eyes of the manager and coach they are the best team in this league and should have won the title, but as the saying goes “It’s a funny old game.” 

Well done girls still two games to go and win and then a well deserved break, until it all starts again next season. 

Player of both matches was Chloe Kraemer. 

dave shephard

watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
east london  -    
lner  -    

paolo di fabrizio

watford development  0     luton town 3rds  3    
hackney women reserves  4     lea valley united  0    
headstone manor  7     alexandra park  2    

The goals were scored by Ruby Marlow 2, Becky Shephard, Sasha Kelly and Julia Bariotakis.

paolo di fabrizio

After some sloppy play saw Tottenham concede a goal, which could have been avoided, but another change brought Dom Clarke on to replace Jenny Curtis at centre back and by the end of match Spurs Ladies has showed their dominance with an 11-1 score-line.

paolo di fabrizio

watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
headstone manor  -    
east london  -    

Spurs were down to a minimal squad due to injuries and players being away.  The game started and Spurs started the brightest and was putting pressure on the ball which did not allow Luton to play there kind of football.  The Tottenham players kept hold of the ball well and was looking for the right passes to open up the Luton defence and after 10 minutes the perfect through ball saw Sam Garner run through from her centre midfield position past the last defender for a one on one with the keeper, when she neatly rounded the keeper and placed the ball into an empty net to give the girls a 0-1 lead.

Much of the first half was a battle of the midfield which Spurs seemed to be just winning, but both teams were not creating many more chances.  Five minutes Tottneham were awarded a corner, which entered the penalty box, but was cleared up field where the waiting Luton player received it and took the ball past two defenders and slotted home to make the half time score 1-1. 

The second half was a much tougher battle, with the sun beaming down on all the players and starting to take its toll, Luton seemed to have an advantage because they had plenty of subs to help give fresher legs on the pitch but not many chances were created by either side and time was ticking away. Both teams wanted to win this match, but also did not want to lose, so a draw looked the most likely outcome.  With play entering injury time, Chelsea Orridge Golding cleared the ball up field and Becky Shephard chased after it, but looked second best when the keeper came running out of her box to clear the danger.  All of a sudden, the keeper totally missed her kick and the ball went past her towards her goal and Becky had carried on her run and picked up the loose ball and slotted it into an empty net to give the Tottenham a 1-2 lead. Luton took the kick off and a few moments later the ref blew his whistle and spurs came away with a very hard fought victory. 

Manager’s comments

A good battling team performance by the girls today with the heat playing a big factor on both teams, this was a massive three points because this now means the league title is in Spurs hands to win it. 

The girls battled for everything today and probably just deserved the win, it was a very good match to be part of and Luton should be thanked for their part in a very tough but fair game of football.

Player of the match was Chelsea Orridge-Golding for winning the midfield battle which helped the team to victory.

dave shephard

watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
headstone manor  -    
east london  -    
lner  -    

The much awaited Russell Cup Quarter Final against Hampstead arrived and THLFC Thirds felt they had a chance against the team a league above them in this cup, but it was not to be Tottenham's day.  With a limited squad to pick from because of injuries and due to illness on match day, Spurs could only field a squad of 10 players of which two were goalkeepers.  So with Laura Baker playing her first ever game as an outfield player, this was going to be a massive task for the girls to get through this round of the cup.  The pitch was probably the worst the girls have played on this season with one side of the pitch running uphill at a steep climb and due to the lack of players it made this game all the more difficult.

The first half started and the girls tried to keep a good shape and discipline, but with a much weakened side, Spurs could not compete with the team from the league above and soon found themselves behind and were now chasing a game they were going to struggle to win. 

But at half time the girls were only 3-0 down and were playing downhill in the second half, which seemed to help ease the pressure a bit, but during the second half the Spurs players were getting injured and tired, there was a least three players with injuries that would in normal circumstances had them taken off.  However, they soldiered on until the end and because of this, the depleted side ran out of steam.  Hampstead went onto to score three more in the second half to make the final score 6-0; a score that flattered Hampstead, because if only we had our full squad this result could have been in Spurs favour rather than Hampstead’s.  

Manager’s comments 

A massive game with a depleted side, but every one of the girls who played showed the fighting spirit that runs through this team and has done all season.  These girls deserved better for the determination they showed but it was not to be.  The league title is still in their hands and with no cup distractions now, the girls can put everything into winning the league and still make this a great first season together as a team.

Player of the match was Laura Baker for digging deep and playing outfield in a role she is not used to and doing a job for the team. 

Well done girls you showed why myself and Paolo enjoy managing and coaching you all because of the team spirit you all showed today in a very tough match. 

dave shephard

watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
headstone manor  -    
east london  -    
lner  -    

This was always going to be a very tough encounter with Hackney Womens Reserves, as both teams are at the top end of the league table and battling it out for that all important first place. 

Hackney brought most of their first team players along to help with winning this game, but the Spurs Thirds are no push over this season and they started the brightest with some good link play.  Spurs were on the forward foot and after five minutes Becky Shephard broke down the right flank and crossed to the far post for Ruby Marlow to despatch the ball home for a 1-0 lead.  Spurs continued to dominate and limited Hackney to few chances, which Chelsea Spurrier in goal dealt with comfortably.  As the half wore on, Sam Garner broke in from the left to curl a shot wide of the keeper and into the far corner for a 2-0 lead at half time. 

After the break Spurs started the brighter once again but Hackney were starting to come into the game more and more.  It was Hackney who scored the next goal, which seemed to give the Spurs team the jitters and the team started to lose shape and discipline, which gave Hackney the upper hand, the equaliser was a very soft goal to give away, when a nothing ball dropped into the area and the keeper seemed to catch it, then drop it right onto a Hackney player's foot, which now made it 2-2.

Hackney then seemed to start to dominate, with the experienced players in the squad from their first team, they then scored a third to make it 2-3 and it seemed the game was slipping away from Spurs, who after a really good first half performance looked as if they were going to get nothing from this game.  With time ticking away and Hackney dominating, Spurs broke from the left and Sam Garner ran through the defence and scored a superb equaliser which made it 3-3 and gave Spurs what they had deserved.

The game finished 3-3 and this was probably the fairest result, because this was definitely a game of two halves.  

Manager’s comments 

This game was a very important one in deciding where the league ends up and the order of the day was not to lose, which the girls managed very capably, considering Hackney played most of their first team. 

The girls battled superbly in the first half and got what they deserved a 2-0 lead, but in the second half they lost their way a bit, which allowed Hackney back into the match.  This was due to inexperience within this young team, but, having said that, the league title is still in Tottenham's hands and we are not having to rely on other results.

The season starts now for the girls and the final push for the title, but before they can win the title they have a Russell Cup quarter final next week against Hampstead to contend with. Hampstead are in Division 2, a league above the Spurs third team, but having already knocked one team out from the league above them.  However, on this showing, the Spurs girls fear nobody. 

Well done girls. 

Lady of the match Sam Garner for her tireless work rate.

dave shephard

watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
headstone manor  -    
east london  -    
lner  -    

The second half started and within seconds of the restart Becky made it 6-0. The game was now very one sided and Tottenham were starting to lose their shape and discipline a bit, because all the players wanted to score.  Wingate battled well but the Spurs girls were too good on the day and more goals were inevitable and they come from Sam Garner, who notched two, Yagmur, who scored her first goal for the club, Izzy scored another goal and Becky hit another three making the final score 13-0. 

Manager’s comments 

This game was about discipline and team performance which in times during the game the girls were superb, but other times they forgot about team shape and tried too hard to score goals instead of team performance.

But this is still a young squad developing this year and they will learn from this game and with hard work on the training pitch they will get stronger and move towards being the ultimate team in the league with good flowing passing football and the team everyone wants to beat.

A good result with regards the goal difference, but not the best all round team performance, but well done girls another three points on your way to hopefully lifting the league title.

Lady of the match was Becky Shephard for her five goals and all round performance.

dave shephard

watford development  0     headstone manor  1    
hackney women reserves  2     east london  0    
lner  0     bushey rangers  9    
lea valley united  3     garston 3rds  1    
luton town 3rds  1     alexandra park  0    

alexandra park  0     hackney women reserves  2    
garston 3rds  7     wingate & finchley reserves  1    
luton town 3rds  2     bushey rangers  1    
east london  4     headstone manor  1    

alexandra park  1     bushey rangers  2    
bushey rangers  3     alexandra park  0    
wingate & finchley reserves  -     headstone manor  -    
hackney women reserves  1     luton town 3rds  0    
lea valley united  0     east london  8    
garston 3rds  0     lner  2    
lner  5     garston 3rds  0    

Tottenham where pushing very hard to make it a bigger lead when a clearance from the Luton defence allowed their forward to run through on goal, but Victoria Taylor was quick off her line, but timed her dive a little too late and pulled the attacking forward down to give a penalty, so, totally against the run of play, the score was 1-1 and stayed like that till half time. 

Into the second half and Spurs started well and seemed in control of the game, but, for about 20 minutes of the game, they seemed to switch off and allowed Luton back into the game and for the first time in the match Spurs were on the back foot and absorbing a lot of pressure.  During this time Spurs made two costly errors, which allowed Luton to take a 1-3 lead.  This kicked Tottenham back into the game and the team started to play their football again, but could not find the net.

With about ten minutes left Luton where then awarded their second penalty of the match for an alleged handball, which they fired over the crossbar.  Spurs pushed all the way to the end, but could not find the goals to get them back into a game they overall did not deserve to lose.

Final score 1-3 to Luton.

Manager’s comments

Considering the girls have not played many games this year due to the weather, they went out like they do every week and tried to win a game of football, but did not succeed this time.  I feel the better team on the day lost, but that’s football and we move onto our next match full of confidence we can win that.

This team is a new squad this year and they are playing some great football, which is due to their hard work on the training pitch.  We are still in the Russell Cup, aiming to reach the quarter final stages and the league title is in our hands to win ,so overall this has been a superb first season together and they can only get better. 

Well done girls excellent in this match and all season. 

Lady of the match was Amanda O’Neill

dave shephard

alexandra park  3     east london  0    
east london  0     alexandra park  3    
wingate & finchley reserves  8     lea valley united  0    
garston 3rds  1     hackney women reserves  2    
luton town 3rds  2     headstone manor  1    

-

watford development  -    
alexandra park  -    
bushey rangers  -    
wingate & finchley reserves  -    
hackney women reserves  -    
garston 3rds  -    
lea valley united  -    
luton town 3rds  -    
headstone manor  -    
east london  -    
lner  -