Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC -

Under-11 match reports 2005-06

With Holly Watson away, we had to fill the right back position that could keep at bay a difficult team in Bushey.  With her positive show at right back the previous week in a friendly Paul and Gerry decided that Tianna should start in this position only to find that before the game she did not feel very well.  After discussions between Tianna and her Mother it was decided to start Tianna and see how she was.

The girls started brightly with Lily Tyrimos in goal the new back two of Vicki and Tianna covering, Charlotte McLucas, Bobbi Cubberley and Tori Tripp in a strong midfield and Laura Newby up front.

With Both teams finding their position the battle started in midfield with Bushey trying to push forward only to find either Vicki intercepting the Bushey players or finding Tianna Carrington.

As the first half progressed the Tottenham girls found themselves pressuring the Bushey goal through intelligent play.  The first breakthrough came after Laura Newby was fouled after making space and heading towards goal only to be brought down just outside the goal area.  Up stepped the ever-improving Bobbi Cubberley to take the free kick with the full backing from the THLFC supporters.  You expect something special when Bobbi is in this situation and this was no exception as she rifled a superb free kick into the back of the net 1-0.

THLFC started to play football and although Bushey tried to push forward with their long kicks and throw ins the Tottenham girls were pushing forward with Charlotte McLucas battling hard and controlling the game on the right hand side.

Tori Tripp proved to be a massive problem for the Bushey girls with her runs on the left hand side.  Tormenting the left hand midfield and defence.  Her just rewards for her effort was reward with a tremendous run from midfield with both Charlotte McLucas and Laura Newby pulling their markers away from the ball to allow Tori to shoot and score a great individual run to make it 2-0.

The second half started with the Tottenham girls nearly scoring early on.  With relentless pressure and numerous chances thwarted by the Bushey goalkeeper THLFC could not find the back of the net.  With changes in midfield with Amy Woff on for Charlotte McLucas and Katie Bell on for Laura Newby up front, who had worked her socks off without any reward.

Shoshana Field replaced the tremendous Tianna Carrington, who had a brilliant game at right back even though she was not feeling very well.  Vicki Blake marshalling the defence Bushey could not find a way through.

Full praise should be given to the Bushey goalkeeper, as the score line may have been very different.

We await and welcome Bushey Rangers U11's in the semi-final of the League Cup.

Well done all the girls keep your determination up for the final run in to the end of season.

GERRY McLUCAS

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Spurs started well after the Easter break with Tori Tripp making an explosive run down the left. However, Bushey weren’t going to let Tottenham have it all there own way today and Hollie Watson and Vicki Blake were soon in action at the back.  Charlotte McLucas pushed forward in midfield and let fly with a shot which went passed the right hand post. Lily-Anna Tyrimos was asked to collect the in-coming ball fairly early on and made a good kick out. 

The girls won a free kick about 25 yards out and Hollie struck the ball well, but it just whistled passed the left hand upright.  Bobbi Cubberley passed a nice ball through to Tori who ran on to cross over to Laura Newby who couldn’t quite get on the end of it on this occasion.  A few minutes later Tori broke down the left again and delivered a sweet ball into the box, which Laura pounced on and guided it into the back of the net to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes. 

The girls continued with the pressure on the Bushey goal with Vicki constantly pushing forward from defence and make some cracking headers into the box.  Laura and Bobbi once again attacked, but Bobbi’s shot just went over the bar.  Hollie made a very long ball clearance to Laura up front, who turned quickly and squared the ball to Tori whose shot went over the top. 

Vicki had a great shot from outside the area, which was well struck, but the Bushey keeper made an outstanding save, which Laura couldn’t quite get to the follow up in time.  Spurs really had the bit between their teeth and Amy Woff, who had come on, produced a good cross to Tori whose shot just went wide.  Amy followed this up a moment with a shot of her own, which once again the keeper pulled off an excellent save and then managed to save it again, with Laura’s follow up. 

Bushey weren’t finished however and started to put pressure on the Tottenham defence which held firm, but was being tested.  Amy had another shot at goal which once again the keeper brilliantly saved by tipping it over the bar for a corner.  Then Laura and Tori had shots at the Bushey goal which were once again well saved.  Bushey won themselves a corner and Lily caught the ball well as it came across the face of the goal.  Her kick out found Tianna Carrington, who had come on and she had a shot which just went wide, just as the first half came to a close. 

The girls knew they needed to score at least one more goal to be safe and once again they started the second hand brightly, with a shot from Laura which was deflected for a corner.  Amy had a shot soon afterwards after shaking off her marker, which went over the top on this occasion.   Laura completed a nice pass to Tori whose shot once again was saved by the Bushey keeper.  The girls were moving smoothly with a great movement between Tianna to Amy to Tianna to Vicki whose shot went wide. 

Katie Bell had now joined the action and another free kick was awarded to Spurs about 30 yards out this time.  Hollie stepped up once again and this time the ball was struck firmly, the keeper was unsighted and the ball bounced into the back of the net to make it 2-0 after 38 minutes. 

A goal mouth scramble followed soon after, but the girls couldn’t quite find a way through.  Bushey however were now really starting to push forward and Hollie and Vicki needed to make some important interceptions or head them off at the pass.  Lily needed to run out a couple of times and bravely dive on the ball before the opposition could get to it. 

Shoshana Field had come on in the midfield to add some fresh legs and Katie showed some excellent ball control to beat a couple of players and was also linking up with Marva Kreel, who had come on up front.  Indeed Katie delivered a great through ball to Marva whose shot just went wide.  Marva then returned the favour and Katie’s shot went wide. 

Shoshana was having to track back and swapped to go into defence with Charlotte coming out into midfield.  Probably the best move of the game was when Marva was on the right hand of the penalty box, she cheekily backed heeled the ball to Katie who crossed the ball to Vicki who slammed the ball, it hit the underside of the cross bar and bounced out (without a television replay we will never know how close to going over the line it was !!). 

Bushey however continued to push forward, never giving up and both Vicki and Charlotte produced some good defending.  Marva nearly scored towards the end when she was battling with the keeper, but couldn’t quite slot the ball away. 

If it wasn’t for the Bushey keeper the game would have been buried early in the first half, but the whole Bushey team showed real spirit and battled to the end.  The Spurs girls did really well today and ran their socks off.  Player of the match went to Tori, who had covered nearly every blade of grass and really battled well. 

So for the second year in a row the girls make it to the Cup Final. Let’s hope it isn’t as wet as was last time !!   

DAVID WATSON

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Garston are a good side and they aren’t in 3^rd place in the division for no reason.  Spurs started slowly with Bobbi Cubberley having a shot at goal which was well saved by the keeper. 

Garston started to test out the midfield and the defence of Vicki Blake and Hollie Watson had to be watchful at all times.  Tori Tripp was starting to rev up her engines and was making some excellent movements down the left and right, with Charlotte McLucas also moving up to assist.  

Vicki made an excellent run down the left hand side from defence and was only stopped when she was well into the opposition’s penalty box. 

Another move from the back saw Tori collect the ball from her own half on the right hand side, she then started to move at speed, she weaved passed one midfield, darted passed another, twisted herself past a defender and then danced around another, she now only had the keeper to beat and she coolly drilled the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 after eight minutes and put herself in the running for goal of the season. 

Still the girls pushed forward and had a number of corners which whilst well struck by Bobbi, didn’t find themselves falling to a Tottenham player. Then one did find Vicki whose shot was well saved by the Garston keeper. 

Hollie was making some timely clearances at the back, to ensure that Garston didn’t have a chance on goal.  Charlotte was also trying to push up front.  Bobbi skilfully delivered a ball to Tori in the middle whose shot just went wide of the mark.  Laura Newby was battling really hard up front, but suddenly was found with a long ball from Hollie, her shot was pushed away for a corner. 

One of Tottenham’s strengths is their ability to pass the ball and a lovely move ensued when Vicki on the run up the left passed to Tori who flicked it on to Laura who then found Vicki once again as she ran into the box, once again the shot was deflected off for a corner. 

Katie Bell had joined the midfield and was getting stuck in, showing some excellent ball control and skills, whilst under pressure and putting others under pressure. 

With Garston under pressure, one of their defenders unfortunately handled the ball in the area and the referee pointed to the spot.  Bobbi very bravely stepped up to take the shot, with a number of the parents, watching the situation through their fingers.  Bobbi ran up to the ball and drilled it in the bottom hand corner as cool as a cucumber.  So it was now 2-0 after 24 minutes, with the half time whistle blowing shortly afterwards. 

The second goal had steadied the nerves a little, but the girls still knew that this game wasn’t over.  They started brightly with Bobbi producing a good cross to Laura , whose shot was saved by the keeper. 

Spurs however weren’t having it all their own way and Garston produced a good long shot which was well saved by Lily-Anna Tyrimos in goal. 

Katie then had a long shot of her own down the other end which just went wide of the mark.  Vicki was very strong in defence today and wasn’t afraid the venture up the pitch producing a lovely pass to Laura.  Bobbi was getting in on the action on the right and her shot just hit the side netting. 

The girls were putting Garston under real pressure, with Bobbi producing a solid pass to Amy Woff whose shot whistled passed the goal.  Amy delivered a nice through ball herself to Laura, who was just beaten to the ball by the keeper who bravely dived on the ball. 

The girls worked a short corner with Amy shot bouncing off the keeper and Tianna Carrington’s follow up just hitting the post. 

Garston seemed to be getting stronger and stronger and were now getting back into the game in midfield.  Hollie was defending really well and Lily had to make an excellent reaction save at the near post following a corner. 

Everyone was starting to relax as their wasn’t long to go and then disaster struck.  Garston broke on Tottenham’s left hand side, and their player sped down towards goal. The Spurs midfielder was under pressure and Lily advanced forward, unfortunately the spurs player accidentally struck the ball and it went passed Lily’s outstretched hands. 

The girls were stunned for a moment as they have only conceded three goals in the entire league season. They however quickly gained their composure and got themselves back into the game, which just left the parents and supporters as jellies on the floor, with some not being able to watch and others giving their fingers nails a work out. 

Spurs did once again push forward and they were awarded a free-kick just on the edge of the area.  Hollie stepped up to take it and whilst she got it over the wall, it didn’t dip early enough to go under the crossbar. 

Garston were of course also pushing forward to find the equaliser which would have meant a play off.  Spurs however made some tactical changes to strength the back and to everyone’s relief the final whistle sounded. 

The player’s parents and supporters jumped for joy with the final whistle.  Garston had played really well, in a very sporting and friendly way which they should be commended for. 

It has been a long and hard season. Whilst the girls haven’t scored as many goals as last season, they have only conceded four in the league which must be seen as an outstanding achievement.  Whilst the whole squad didn’t have the opportunity to play today, it is the entire squad that won the league and every one of them should feel proud to be part of such a wonderful outfit, who play with skill, flair, determination and the right attitude.  

Great thanks and praise should also go to Gerry who has managed the team to its second league victory in a row and has been well supported by Paul Newby.  I just personally want to say thank you to the parents and supporters who have been brilliant and lastly to the girls who all are stars and have given us so much entertainment over the season. 

There is only one task left to do and that is to bring home the League Cup next weekend.  Well done.

DAVID WATSON

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Match played at Vauxhall Recreation Centre, Luton
After extra time : score at full time 1-1

This League Cup Final was always going to be a close game with drama, tension, a nail biting affair and it certainly didn’t disappoint !! 

Enfield started as the stronger team, pushing the girls back into their own half and Vicki Blake and Hollie Watson knew that they had their hands full.  Spurs however started to build on movement up the pitch and Bobbi Cubberley showed good skill down the left. 

Lily-Anna Tyrimos was called into action fairly early on as she made a good save from a low struck shot.  Tottenham however won a corner down the other end and the ball was scrambled away by the Enfield defence. 

Following a long kick out by Lily, Bobbi was able to strike the ball well with her left foot and the ball went to the side of the goal. 

Enfield were throwing everything at Tottenham and Lily had to run out of her goal to close down an attack and Hollie and Vicki made some important clearances under pressure. Tori Tripp was working hard down the left hand side, but was being well marked by the opposition. 

There was a battle royal going on in midfield and Charlotte McLucas generated a blistering shot which rocketed it’s way to goal, the keeper pulled off a brilliant save to push the ball out for a corner.  

Enfield broke again and their striker blasted the ball across the face of the goal.  Bobbi was also helping out in defence and Amy Woff came into the midfield to give Tori a breather. 

Laura Newby was working hard up front to find some space, but the girls were struggling to give her service. However, as the end of the first half drew closer the girls started to apply more pressure, with an excellent run from Vicki out of the back, up the pitch and delivered a good ball to Laura in the box. 

Spurs had won a number of corners but couldn’t quite find the space that they have enjoyed in previous games. Vicki however did have a shot which was saved by the keeper. 

Enfield won a free kick just before half time which didn’t hit the mark on this occasion.  Tianna Carrington had come on to generate some pace and once again she was in the thick of it from the start. 

So it was 0-0 at half time with everything to play for.  Tottenham did start brightly and the girls were having the best of the early encounters.  Vicki once again led a break out in conjunction with Amy, but they couldn’t quite get past the final line of defence. 

Once again it was the midfield that were battling hard and they seemed to be getting the upper hand.  Unfortunately Hollie had sustained an injury to her foot and Tianna came back into defence to take her place. 

Tottenham won another corner, but unfortunately no one could get on the end of it.  The girls then secured a free kick about 25 yards out and Bobbi floated the ball in nicely with a goal mouth scramble taking place, but still no goal. 

Charlotte was working very hard in midfield, then suddenly the Enfield Manager's tactical changes paid off and their striker broke through the defence to slot the ball into the back of the net.  The Enfield team and supporters quite rightly were delighted.  It was very much game on, with some 10 minutes left of the second half. 

Whilst the girls heads did drop a little they soon continued to battle on regardless, with the midfield pushing on through Charlotte, Bobbi and Katie.  Enfield however were also trying to finish the game off and Vicki, Tianna and Charlotte were defending with all their might. 

Unfortunately, Laura got involved in a nasty fall and had to come off to receive treatment to her fingers and arm.   Tori came in on to push up front and look for the crucial equaliser.  The clock was ticking down and still the girls couldn’t seem to find the break through.  It was raining and the feeling of déjà vu regarding last years final started to rear it’s head ! 

Then suddenly a free kick was awarded on the edge of the area.  The crowd held it’s breath as Bobbi came up to strike the ball, she let it fly towards the goal, it seemed to deflect into Katie's path and her shot deflected off the unfortunate Enfield captain to find itself in the back of the net.  To be honest the moment is a bit hazy, because my tears of joy, mixed with the rain water had fallen onto my page of notes. 

Seconds after the re-start the referee blew his whistle, so the girls had managed to pull the game around from the jaws of defeat.  It was now into extra time of two sessions of three minutes.  The girls and supporters of course were delighted but they had been here before when they lost the game on penalties, so it was going to be a very very nervous six minutes. 

The first period seemed to fly by and the only things I recorded was a free kick that Enfield had on the edge of the box which went wide.  In the excitement I had forgotten to write anything else down !! 

So we now entered the last three minutes of the game and it was Spurs' turn to have a free kick which was cleared out for a corner and the game was end to end stuff.  There was about a minute left when the ball went out for a throw in.  Tori stepped up to take it ... she has a brilliant throw on her, which goes miles !!  This time the ball looped into the penalty area, bounced past the Enfield defenders and Amy came from nowhere to rise like a salmon and smash the ball into the back of the goal with her head.  As you can imagine the players went wild as did the supporters and parents. The girls held out for the remaining seconds and it was over.  

For a few seconds I thought I was in a dream and would wake up in a shower (for those that remember Dallas !!).   Whilst I know that the Enfield girls will be disappointed, they should be pleased with the way they played and the entertainment they provided with the Tottenham girls. 

What can I say about the Tottenham girls they showed great courage and determination, never giving up and the whole squad should be so proud of what they have achieved in pulling off the double of winning the league and cup.  It’s a fantastic achievement well done to all. 

DAVID WATSON

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