Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC -

Under-10 Blues match reports 2005-06

Spurs entertained Denham United Wildcats, another side with 100% record and with both teams beginning the day without conceding any goals, something had to give. 

Spurs won the early exchanges when some fine work by Danielle Wheeler and Chloe Smith produced a corner.  Skipper Molly Bartrip attacked the near post leaving Lulu Fox clear to fire home the opener at the far post.  

Denham had the odd breakaway, but were well contained by Molly and Keegan Russell, who were instrumental in the Spurs attacking play, Phoebe Guiver then picked up a ball from Keegan which was fed through to Danielle, who in turn released Chloe to finish off a fine move, with a well taken goal. 

Spurs' pressure was relentless with Molly and Phoebe combining well down the left, when suddenly Phoebe switched the play to the right.  Danielle fed a through ball into Chloe, who fired in a shot which the keeper could not hold and the ball broke back to Chloe, who squared it to Lulu to hit home taking the home side into the break 3-0 in the lead. 

After the interval the Spurs pressure continued with Keegan and Molly now pushing forward, playing in to Danielle who worked a one two with Chloe, before crossing to Lulu, who rounded the keeper for the hat trick.

Alison Woodward and Isabella Rueben-Crompton then entered the field to strengthen the midfield, Molly then produced her trademark foray, beating three Denham players and struck a superb shot to make it six.  

Spurs were now passing the ball round with supreme confidence, when not to be out done, Danielle stuck a fierce 25 yard shot, which gave the keeper no chance. 

Naomi Coulson had seen very limited action, but was called upon to make a fine save and soon after showed her superb handling ability, when plucking the ball from the air to stem another rare threat. 

Although the Denham keeper pulled off some fine saves, the seventh was a well struck shot by Lulu, which unfortunately deflected off a defender and left the goalie with no chance. Alison, Izzy and Chloe all went close late on, but Spurs finished in style to take the three points and remain top of the table.

PAUL FOX

Other results :
Tottenham Hotspur Whites  1     Hitchin Town Belles  0     
Buntingford Cougars  0     Luton Town Belles  6    

Tottenham started confidently and within four minutes Danielle Wheeler had put the home side in front with a fine drive.  Spurs were knocking the ball around with supreme confidence and with Chloe Smith playing a one two with Danielle, Spurs doubled the score with Danielle's second. 

A minute later Danielle and Chloe were at it again, but this time Danielle's shot was parried and it was down to Lulu Fox to fire home for the third.   Molly Bartrip and Lulu the got into the action after Phoebe Guiver played a through ball, Lulu crossed into Chloe, who struck for the Spurs fourth. 

The second half began with Keegan Russell making some superb surging runs, and two minutes after the kick off, Chloe had struck again.  Isabella Ruebens-Crompton was creating chances down the left, feeding Molly and Lulu, who picked up an Izzy pass, side stepped the defender and played into Molly, who struck a super drive to make it six. 

By now Spurs were at the top of their game spraying the ball around with speed, accuracy and skill, with Phoebe and Molly, dominant.  Danielle having left the field after taking a slight knock re-entered the game and immediately added the seventh and final goal. 

Alison Woodward came on late in the game and caused a few problems in the Buntingford defence, and a late strike by Lulu saw the visiting keeper pull off a tremendous save.  Spurs were playing today with great pace and skill, which deserved the applause in which they got at the final whistle. 

This was an excellent display of controlled football by a team who are getting better by the game. Buntingford stuck in well today, and with the goalkeeper in such magnificent form have a basis to build on, well done girls.

PAUL FOX

Other results :
Garston Ladies  1     Tottenham Hotspur Whites  6    
Denham United Wildcats  0     Luton Town Belles  2   

Match postponed.

Tottenham Hotspur Whites  1     Luton Town Belles  4    
Buntingford Cougars  0      Denham United Wildcats  4     
Hitchin Town Belles  0     Enfield Town Ladies  4     

Spurs travelled up to Hitchin today and came up against a very resilient side.  The home team began very defensively and it was difficult for Spurs to break down. 

Spurs played a patient passing game to draw the Hitchin defence out, after ten minutes Spurs got their rewards when Danielle Wheeler, Phoebe Guiver and Chloe Smith linked together well ending in Danielle firing home the opener.  Spurs then made the pressure tell and Chloe Smith received a Keegan Russell pass down the right flank, Chloe took on the defender and put in a superb cross for Lulu Fox to double the score after twelve minutes. 

Spurs dominance was becoming apparent with Hitchin defending very deep and Chloe again took on the defence to put in a cross and after a goalmouth scramble, Lulu got onto the end of a failed clearance and sent Spurs into the break three up. 

The second half started much the same, with Alison Woodward and Isabella Rueben-Crompton joining the action.  Skipper Molly Bartrip and Keegan Russell moved up from the rear to join the attack and by now the Spurs possession was telling on the home defence with Phoebe, Molly and Keegan spreading the play well.  When a through ball for Izzy fell nicely for her, the newcomer fired in the fourth.  Izzy again got on the score sheet when Alison's hard work left her free to fire home from the edge of the area. 

Numerous corners were won by Spurs with Molly and Chloe both going close with headers and with Molly and Keegan constantly pushing forward the chances were mounting, Molly fired in a thunderous drive which the young Hitchin keeper saved well, Keegan hitting one from the half way line which just crept over and Chloe working endlessly to create chances. 

Danielle who was creating havoc in the home defence sent in a super cross from a good build up and this saw Lulu pick up the ball just outside the box, but she needed two bites at the cherry, ending in a great drive which capped of a fine Spurs performance to keep the Blues in poll position at the head of the league. 

PAUL FOX

For a very nice report from the Hitchin Belles website, click here.

Denham United Wildcats  3     Tottenham Hotspur Whites  4     
Luton Town Belles  7    Garston Ladies  1     
Enfield Town Ladies  3     Buntingford Cougars  0      

Spurs travelled to Garston and after knocking the same team out of the cup 18-0, were very confident. 

Garston, on the other hand, were not prepared to just lie down.  Spurs again were the dominant side and on a very difficult pitch passed the ball around patiently, restricting the home side from breaking out of their own half.

Spurs, although playing the patient game, needed the first goal to settle into any rhythm and found themselves three goals to the good at half time.  

The team got switched around at half time and opportunities started to arise as the home side tired.  Spurs passing and movement was superb again today and this was the key factor on today's pitch. 

Goals for Spurs were scored by skipper Molly Bartrip 3, Lulu Fox 2, Chloe Smith 2, Danielle Wheeler 2, and Phoebe Guiver in a game that took them past 100 goals scored and they are still to let one in throughout their nine league and cup games this season.

PAUL FOX

League
Buntingford Cougars  0      Hitchin Town Belles  1     

Chairman's Cup - quarter-finals
Denham United Wildcats  2     Tottenham Hotspur Whites  4     
Luton Town Belles  0    Enfield Town Ladies  2     

The Tottenham derby was played today at a great tempo.  The Blues came out with the intention of showing that they were in no mood to be beaten.  

The Whites however didn’t let them settle with the ball and tried to make life as difficult as possible and showed great resilience in midfield, but in the end the Blues. even though giving a below par performance, showed that games can also be won with determination, persistence and when they needed to dig deep, came through in the end with ease. 

Goals by Lulu Fox 3, Chloe Smith 2, Isabella Rueben-Crompton and an own goal gave the Blues the win, even though they had numerous other chances, but today was not a day for big scorelines.

PAUL FOX

Garston Ladies  1     Buntingford Cougars  1      
Denham United Wildcats  2     Enfield Town Ladies  4     
Hitchin Town Belles  0      Luton Town Belles  2    

Today was the clash for the outright league leaders with Spurs travelling to  Luton to try and retain the lead in the title race and their 100% record. The playing surface wasn't in the best condition, but playable. 

Spurs gained the upper hand from the kick off in a physical affair, when after some heavy Spurs pressure Danielle Wheeler hit a high cross, which confused the home keeper, who consequently spilled the ball, which then crossed the line.  Luton however, against the run of play equalised within two minutes and tried to make a game of it. 

The second half began the same with Chloe Smith, Lulu Fox and Phoebe Guiver all going close.  Molly Bartrip and Keegan Russell were supreme today in defence and although Luton pressed more in the second half, the two girls coped excellently.  The midfield of Danielle and Phoebe both put in solid performances interchanging with Chloe, who in turn found Lulu alone in the Luton box, Lulu then slotted home to make it 2-1. 

Alison Woodward came on to strengthen the midfield and although in the last minute Luton put a dangerous corner which seemed to elude everyone, Naomi Coulson in goal was the first to react with a fine stop.  That was the final action of the game, the score-line in the end flattered the home side, as Spurs failed to finish the game off with a hatful of missed chances.

PAUL FOX

Hitchin Town Belles  1     Buntingford Cougars  0      
Denham United Wildcats  3     Garston Ladies  1     
Enfield Town Ladies  3     Tottenham Hotspur Whites  1    

Spurs continued their fine record with a good win at Buntingford today, playing with superb confidence and passed the ball around excellently. 

The home keeper was again in fine form, but with Spurs continually on the attack, Buntingford finally cracked when Chloe Smith opened the scoring.  Spurs settled into the game with Molly Bartrip and Keegan Russell dictating the flow of play. Phoebe Guiver and Danielle Wheeler created chance after chance and it wasn't long before Chloe doubled the score. 

Danielle then added a third before Lulu Fox completed the tally before half time as Spurs eased through the first period. 

Isabella Rueben-Crompton and Alison Woodward came on in the second half and Spurs continued to dominate.  Danielle fired home the fifth, as by now Spurs were totally in control.  Lulu added two more and skipper Molly finished the scoring off. 

Molly and Lulu both rattled the woodwork and Chloe narrowly missed with a fine header.  Phoebe, Izzy and Keegan all had chances before the final whistle blew and Spurs retained their 100% start to the season.

Buntingford played the perfect hosts today, their hospitality was excellent and much appreciated, so we would like to say thank you and well done to all the home staff, parents and especially the players. 

PAUL FOX

Denham United Wildcats  3     Hitchin Town Belles  0     
Tottenham Hotspur Whites  5    Garston Ladies  1      

An early two goal blast in the second half set Spurs U10 Blues on course for a place in the Chairman's Cup final.

The early chances fell to the visitors, but they failed to capitalise on them and some good defending from Molly Bartrip and Keegan Russell kept them at bay.  Anything that got through was well saved by keeper Naomi Coulson.

Danielle Wheeler had a chance to hit a volley late in the first half, but her shot was too high and Chloe Smith's cross beat the keeper, but just drifted across the face of goal.  Phoebe Guiver was instrumental in keeping the play moving through the midfield and stopping Enfield from progressing on more occasions than they did.

A blistering start to the second half saw Lulu Fox race onto a through pass to beat the goalie to make it 1-0 and in the very next minute, Chloe's cross bounced off a defender's leg and into the net to double the lead.

Alison Woodward and Izzy Rueben-Crompton entered the action to consolidate the lead in the second half, as Spurs played some nice passing football, the chances came more regularly, but a combination of the post that denied Lulu from point blank range and some dogged defending kept them out until five minutes from the end, when Wheeler broke onto a pass and smashed a low shot across the goalkeeper to round up the scoring at 3-0 and put them into the final where they will face their colleagues Tottenham Hotspur U10 Whites.

Naomi had to grab a late shot at the second attempt to keep another clean sheet, but it was a patient and clinical display from the Spurs girls, which exemplifies their footballing development this season.

Chairman's Cup - Semi-final
Hitchin Town Belles  1     Tottenham Hostpur Whites  2