Tottenham Hotspur Ladies -

Under-11's Whites reports 2006-07

On Saturday, the Under 11 white team went to Denham to play what was the Whites first real competitive game together and it was impressive to watch, showing good potential for the coming season.

Each girl played to the best of their ability and gave 100% commitment in achieving a very satisfying result, achieved with a well-taken hat-trick from Alison Woodward in the Panthers match and with Louise Waldock and Abigail Barrett hitting the net against the Wildcats.

Well done girls.

Peter Maynard

Spurs Ladies Under-11 Whites won this opening match of the season and dominated the play for long periods. 

The full eleven players were used and the substitutions were thoughtful and frequent.  In goal Lauren Holman was not called upon often, but made some brave – and important - saves when she had to, while Kayla Miles performed reliably in defence and midfield and, like Nicole Hall, played energetically up and down the pitch.  The first goal came from Kathleen Jackson, who ran with the ball and scored with an accurate long shot.

ALAN WOODWARD

Denham United U11 Wildcats  0     Enfield Town Ladies U11 Blues  3    
Enfield Town Ladies U11 Reds  0     Harvesters U11  7    
Luton Town U11  3     Denham United U11 Panthers  1    
Hitchin Town Belles U11  0     Tottenham Hotspur U11 Blues  16    
Queens Park Rangers U11  7     Watford Ladies U11  3    

A second close victory this season for the Under-11 Whites was marked by two distinctly different performances in each half.

The first half started badly – an unlucky goal-mouth collision resulted in two Spurs players getting injured and down on the grass, but before the ref could blow up, Denham had scored the opening goal.  The rest of the half was marked by only a mediocre performance - players getting caught in possession, some ill-timed back passes, too many individual efforts, but, in contrast, long shots going just wide from Abigail Barrett and Charlotte Chaloner.   As previously predicted, Monique Thompson’s long throws started movements in defence and attack. 

In the second half, Spurs were a different team.  Goalkeeper Lauren Holman hardly touched the ball and Abigail scored a clever equalising goal after a few minutes.  Kayla Miles and Rhiannon Bassett played soundly in a defensive partnership, with Kathleen Jackson clearing up in front of them.  Rachel Brier, Louise Waldock and Nicole Hall took control of the midfield and eventually Alison Woodward beat a defender and netted the winning goal.  

By now dominant, Spurs created several chances including long shots by Monique, Charlotte and goal area efforts by Abigail again.  Even so, many corner kicks and other chances, were not converted. 

By the time a settled side was established in the second period, the visitors gave the home team little lee-way and the practised passing routines became effective.  A pattern is beginning to emerge after only a few games, with players knowing their own role and that of others.  The first half is best forgotten ... as soon as possible. 

ALAN WOODWARD

Spurs Under-11 Whites lost this match to Watford Ladies with a goal scored just after half time that was against the run of play.  Both before and after this, the home team dominated the game with a series of shots that the opposing goalkeeper managed to save.   In the defence, Kayla Miles made several strong tackles to win the ball and several important clearances in the best traditions of a stalwart stopper.  Nicole Hall was similarly a good supplier for the midfield.

As in previous matches, Monique Thompson made a number of long throws from the by-line, to begin attacks and put in some big clearances up the pitch. 

In the midfield, several players passed the ball on – Rachel Brier, Louise Waldock and Rhiannon Bassett, with Alison Woodward, whose contribution was a series of intelligent through balls.  However, the goal came soon after the re-start and a substitution.  Goalkeeper Lauren Holman made at least one brave save in the match, but after long periods of inactivity, when the goal came, she had little chance to stop it.

Spurs resumed the pressure at once.  Despite changes, the forwards could not finish off the moves once they reached the penalty area.  Abigail Barrett and Charlotte Chaloner both went close and Kathleen Jackson was unlucky with a spectacular long shot.  For that, and some weaving runs, she was latter given the Player of the Match Award. 

This was a story of unrelenting attack through Abigail, Charlotte, Rachel, Louise and Alison, who all had chances that tested the goalie.  The shots on the target lacked a little in placement, while Kayla and Nicole stopped the occasional  counter attack from the Watford side.  

In the end, to the relief of the visitors, the whistle blew.  The Spurs girls had all played hard and well.  This type of result is hard to live with, but these things happen in a season. 

Better luck next time Spurs.

 ALAN WOODWARD

ALAN WOODWARD

Spurs travelled to Southgate this morning to play their local rivals Enfield Town Ladies Blues, who so far this season were undefeated.

Charlotte Chaloner had a goal bound shot blocked by a defender early on, but then Enfield then began to use the advantage of the sloping pitch with the Whites defending resolutely.  In the seventeenth minute, Spurs took the lead, from a corner on the right, as Kathleen Jackson powered home a left foot flick giving the keeper no chance.

Spurs then held on until half time, but two minutes into the second half Enfield equalised with a deflected corner from the right wing.  The Whites battled on valiantly, with Nicole Hall, Monique Thompson and Kayla Miles frustrating the Enfield attack with their defending.

Abigail Barrett, Alison Woodward, Kathleen Jackson, Louise Waldock and eventually Rhiannon Bassett all worked tremendously hard in midfield and Charlotte gave their defence plenty of problems with her runs up front.  Abigail and Alison had shots saved by their keeper late on in the second half.

Monique, contributed the usual long throws despite a wet ball, and was a fast improving, strong performer.  She was named Player of the Match.  Lauren Holman had a faultless match in goal, her handling throughout was superb and she made two great saves to thwart the Blues attempts at a winning goal.

A parent supporter commented, "Spurs were solid in defence and especially powerful on the counter attack."

Well done Whites, 100% effort by all as usual, earning a deserved point.

DAVE BRIER & Co.

Denham United Panthers  1     Harpenden Blues  3    
Hitchin Town Belles  0     Luton Town Belles  4    
Queens Park Rangers  3     Denham United Wildcats  1    
Watford Ladies  1     Harvesters  3    

Spurs struggles to break through and it was only immediately before the half-time whistle that Charlotte Chaloner pushed home the ball from close in to give Tottenham the lead. 

ALAN WOODWARD & Co.

Denham United U11 Wildcats  1     Luton Town U11  1    
Enfield Town Ladies U11 Reds  2     Hitchin Town Belles U11  1    
Harpenden U11 Blues  0     Enfield Town Ladies U11 Blues  10    
Queens Park Rangers U11  6     Denham United U11 Panthers  0    
Tottenham Hotspur U11 Blues  4     Watford Ladies U11  0    

Spurs U10 Whites continue their climb up the league table with this fiercely fought home victory against a valiant Luton side. 

The girls went behind at the start with a rather harsh penalty decision resulting in a penalty goal against them, but following the opening goal, the match went from end to end with Rhiannon Bassett going close and Louise Waldock making some strong forward runs, always challenging for the ball.  Then from one of Monique Thompson’s long throw specials, Rhiannon scored with a neat left foot shot from close in at the far post. 

Next, Alison Woodward scored an unexpected goal with her left foot from the edge of the area.  Spurs kept up the pressure with substantial attacks, Louise making several chances.  Finally, just before half time, Abigail Barrett again put in another fine shot and Alison, tenaciously following up, netted the rebound to make the score 3-1.  At the other end Nicole Hall was solidly stopping everything that came her way.

After the break Luton mounted consistent attacks, but Spurs showed some constructive counter attacking moves, as Abigail in particular made some dangerous runs.  Luton managed to pull one goal back, but Spurs defended in strength.  Kayla Miles came on and made several powerful moves, including one in which she ran past two players and laid off a clever through ball.   Rachel Brier also came on and held out well in midfield.  Charlotte Chaloner and Katherine Jackson played together in attack, putting in creditable sequences.

However, the final honours must go to the defence - Lauren Holman in goal, Nicole, Kayla and Monique - for keeping the Luton attackers at bay.  Afterwards Katherine said, “We played really well. They were a good team, but we managed to win out.”

Team manager/coach Peter Maynard said the Whites were now either top or joint top of the league, after an outstanding performance.  He added that there would be no Player of the Match, because the whole team deserved it, so he said they were all Team of the Match. 

This was perhaps the best result so far and the team have a chance to consolidate in the next week or so.

ALAN WOODWARD & REPORTERS

Enfield Town Ladies U11 Reds  -     Enfield Town Ladies U11 Blues  -    
Harpenden U11 Blues  -     Harvesters U11  -    
Hitchin Town Belles U11  -     Queens Park Rangers U11  -    
Watford Ladies U11  -     Denham United U11 Wildcats  -    
Denham United Panthers  -     Tottenham Hotspur Blues  -    

Spurs Under-11 Whites lost this away match to a Denham United Wildcats team that had fewer chances, but took more of them. 

The visitors began well with a series of corners and long throws from Monique Thompson into the goal area.    Rhiannon Bassett went close with a shot just over the bar and after several counter attacks, Spurs went one down to a predictable goal before the break.  Half time saw the goalkeeper Lauren Holman forced to go off with a nagging injury and Alison Woodward took her place.

Almost immediately after the restart, Kathleen Jackson shot hard from outside the area and the ball found its way to the corner of the net for the equaliser, a vital goal.  Spurs now showed a dramatic improvement with Abigail Barrett, in her last match before going up to the Blues first team and Charlotte Chaloner, going close . 

Kayla Miles, now playing in the midfield, worked energetically with Rachel Brier to create chances.  Kathleen again probed the home defence, but Denham held out.  At the other end, the Wildcats could make little headway against Nicole Hall who marshalled the Spurs back line. 

However, disaster came near the end.  It was the old problem of a high bouncing ball evading the defenders and the decisive goal was conceded against the run of play - Denham had only twice threatened the goal.

Meanwhile Rachel suffered a severe nose bleed, but the team were still attacking at the final whistle.  The result was  a disappointment after the recent run of good form, but Kathleen performed well and was nominated Player of the Match.  

Kayla commented after the match, “We should have been passing more and helping each other, especially at first.  I did try hard.“  

Peter Maynard, Team Manager and Coach said, “In the first half, we took too much for granted, but then we improved and played well."  Clive, the Assistant  Coach, confirmed, “Yes, we had plenty of chances, but couldn’t take them.“

ALAN WOODWARD & REPORTERS

Denham United Panthers  -     Enfield Town Ladies Reds  -    
Harvesters  -     Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Luton Town Belles  -     Enfield Town Ladies Blues  -    
Tottenham Hotspur Blues  -     Queens Park Rangers  -    
Watford Ladies  -     Harpenden Blues  -