It was a fairly even affair to start of with and Charlotte McLucas found the first bit of space up front and her shot went wide of the right hand post.  Tori Tripp looked in good form on the right and was constantly looking to cross the ball to Nina Pontes up front. Tianna Carrington and Vicki Blake were covering well in central defence, with Lily Tyrimos called into action to collect a ball fairly early on. After only about six minutes the first Tottenham player that went down clutching her chest was Tianna Carrington, who has been suffering for a bad cold. Hollie Watson came into defence and the back four slightly re-arranged themselves. 

Hollie was in the action quickly and delivered a long ball to Tori who burst down the right hand side and her shot went wide. Lily was called into action to hold a long range shot. 

Still the girls pushed on and Charlotte produced a great ball to Tori to run onto on the right, she ran on with the ball and smashed the ball past the keeper at an acute angle to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes. 

Belmont however weren’t going to give up without a fight and Saskia Collins was being kept busy on the left, making sure that not much got past her. Nina was showing good skill on the ball up front with Laura Newby. Alexa Rangecroft was doing her normal job of holding up play and acting as a brick wall, to not let people come through the middle with her tackling and determination.  

Becca Dowling had a shot from a ball coming away from a corner and it was a real up and under, which went over the top on this occasion.  Then player number two went off, also with chest problems and that was Becca who was also suffering from a bad cold. Now normally Shoshana Field would have joined the affair, but she was busy today being a bridesmaid for her Uncle (a very worthwhile excuse and everyone hopes all went well).  So Spurs now had to re-arrange again, with Charlotte moving across and Blerta Berisha coming on the left. 

Tori was still causing problems down the right and crossed the ball in, which went to the keeper this time.  Alexa produced a great ball to Nina, whose shot was saved by the keeper. 

Bobbi Cubberley was battling well in the middle and had a number of runs on the left hand side, looking to cross the ball into the middle. Still Belmont were pushing forward and Vicki needed to intercept a number of times, with Hollie clearing the ball away.  Blerta was darting around on the left and was looking to push up front when she could.  The second goal came from a super individual effort by Tori who had sped off down the right, she thumped the ball at pace it smashed off the bottom side of the crossbar and bounced into the net. It was such a tight angle, it was brilliant to watch. 

However this is when Belmont started to get back more into the game, they had a shot which just went wide of the post.  Blerta and Laura however were battling up the front, with Tori very nearly finding Laura with a searching cross. Lydia Maher had come on for an injured Nina and was in the thick of it straight away. So three players had gone off with injuries and Vicki became the fourth when she twisted her back, so the subs bench now looked more like a scene out of casualty than the normal tranquil place.  

Lily pulled off a great save from a Belmont shot which she parried off for a corner. However Tori wasn’t finished and she got her hat trick in style just before half time when she chipped the keeper to make it 3-0, brilliant stuff. 

The girls knew that the game wasn’t over and the second half started, with Spurs pushing once again, with Lydia very nearly beating the keeper to a through ball.  Blerta delivered a through ball to Bobbi, who tried to chip the keeper, but she managed to hold onto it.  Tori was still explosive down the right and Hollie was closely marking her player, cutting out an through balls before they became dangerous. 

Charlotte ran down the right and passed the ball onto Bobbi, whose shot went over the bar. The girls were passing the ball well and Laura delivered a nice ball to Blerta who drilled the ball into the goal to make it 4-0 after 40 mins. Charlotte and Lydia were battling away. Belmont still weren’t giving up and Lily once again rushed out of the goal, to stop a shot. Saskia was defending well on the left, with Bobbi looking for the through ball.  Hollie was linking up well with Vicki to make sure that Belmont couldn’t come through either on the right on middle of the park. 

The fifth goal was a real team effort, when Bobbi passed the ball onto Blerta, who beat a player then passed it to Jade Finch, who then flicked the ball onto Charlotte on the right, who smashed it past the keeper to make it 5-0 after 50 mins. 

Belmont to their credit however didn’t give up and Hollie was involved in clearing a shot away, just in the nick of time, as it was heading towards Lily in goal.  Saskia had now moved into the midfield and was looking to goal hunting.   Jade intercepted a goal clearance and rifled her shot into the back of the goal, with her outside of her right boot to bend it away from the keeper to make it 6-0. 

Nina had recovered and was back on, with Vicki also showing great ball skills in defence.  Hollie delivered a long ball onto Bobbi, who flicked it on to Jade and her shot went wide of the right hand post.  Alexa delivered a great ball to Lydia, who passed onto Nina, whose shot was well saved. 

Tianna had come back on and was once again patrolling the centre of defence well. Becca had also returned and was pushing forward on the left. Bobbi found Nina with a searching ball, who was just offside.  Alexa and Lydia, finished with a flourish on the left and the final whistle blew. 

Belmont had played well, but Spurs, I believe, proved today, how much they have improved from the second game of the season and what sort of close knit outfit they have become, with every member of the squad playing their part when required. 

Charlotte showed passion and desire today and was player of the match. Well done girls a superb performance today. For all those girls suffering with bad colds, we hope you get better soon, but as men we know how you feel, but of course it will never be as bad as Man FLU!!

DAVID WATSON

Buckden Girls  2     Stevenage Borough Juniors A  0    
Enfield Town A  4     Denham United  0    
Harvesters  3     Luton Town  0    

We knew that Hemel would be a difficult side to break down as they started with nine players behind the ball and from previous results haven’t conceded many goals.  The first corner was won by Spurs and when Lydia Maher collected the ball on the right hand side, she smashed her shot across the face of the goal. 

Hollie Watson and Becca Dowling were playing on the wings of defence and were intercepting any balls that Hemel were trying to push down the wings.  Becca drilled a ball forward to find Nina Pontes up front, who was being closed down quickly.  Hollie produced a lofted ball to Lydia who ran on with it and passed it to Bobbi Cubberley who then found Nina, who was stopped before she could unleash a shot. 

It took a bit of time before the ball came out to Tori Tripp on the right and she was now getting into the action with Alexa Rangecroft who was controlling the centre of Midfield.  Blerta Berisha was looking dangerous on the left and she found Nina, who was just beaten to the ball by the keeper. 

Bobbi crossed the ball well into the centre and Lydia ran onto the ball, but was just cut off before delivering her shot. Tori had a shot from the right which sailed over the bar.  Blerta was still on the search for the breakthrough and passed to Tori whose shot just went wide of the post. 

Tianna Carrington was very comfortable at the back, along with Vicki Blake and they were just clearing any balls away that came through the middle.  It was about now that the Heaven’s opened and it wasn’t just raining cats and dogs, I am sure it was more like Rhinos and Elephants, as it absolutely threw it down and within a nanosecond everyone was totally drenched.  The rain and wind combined to make it a very unpleasant experience for both sets of girls, but especially Spurs who were now trying to run through the wind and rain, which was blasting into their faces.  I apologise if I missed anything at this time, but I had put my note book away and was having a full on wrestling match with my umbrella, which had taken on a mind of its own !!

Still the girls battled on and Lydia and Tori were linking up nicely on the right and were giving it their all. The final breakthrough came when Alexa crossed a lovely ball from the left into the box, which Tori grateful accepted and drove her shot past the keeper to make it 1-0.  Saskia Collins had come on for Becca and was straight away intercepting the ball to clear it away, before it got anywhere near Shoshana Field in goal, who had only touched the ball about twice in the first half.  

Charlotte Mc Lucas, who came on for Blerta, also got stuck in straight away and had a shot which just went wide of the post. Tori then broke away down the right and her shot just went wide of the left hand upright. The girls continued to battle on with Lydia running all over the place up front to look for a way through.  Finally the half time whistle blew and fortunately the rain had now dropped to a trickle.  

The girls now had the strong wind behind them and they were on Hemel straight away. Vicki had a shot which was well saved and goal number two came early, when Lydia battled for a loose ball, which she drilled to Tori, who took aim and fired the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.  Her hat trick was only a few moments away, when she hammered the ball at pace into the back of the net from the right hand side to make it 3-0.  Despite Hemel now having ten players behind the ball, Spurs had well and truly pitched their tents in the opposition half and weren’t going to let them off the hook at all.

Tianna had a much more roving role in the second half and her patience was rewarded when she took a shot from just inside the area, the keeper couldn’t hold it and it was goal number four and more importantly Tianna’s first of the season.  Well done.  

The girls were now on fire and Tori’s fourth goal of the day, came after a goal mouth scramble to make it 5-0 overall.  Amy Woff had joined the party and it was her first start for Spurs following her recent re-signing for the club.  It was a great welcome back when Amy and Alexa linked up on the left, Amy had a shot and it whistled in to make it 6-0 for Spurs and a goal on her return.  Amy delivered goal number seven a few moments later after beating a number of players, she drove the ball at the goal; the keeper didn’t hold it and it made the score then 7-0.

Hollie was intercepting the ball well from the centre of defence and it was Amy’s turn to assist Nina, when she passed the ball to her in the box and Nina, finished it off without compromise to make it 8-0.  Nina continued to battle on and Shoshana had now come out of goal for Lily Tyrimos and she was delivering some nice balls forward from the right hand position.  Hollie intercepted a ball, which she passed on to Becca, who drove it to Alexa, who drove it back to Beck, who then passed to Nina and she buried it to make it 9-0. 

Everyone was now forging up the park and it was a problem to leave someone at the back as everyone went on the hunt for a goal.  Shoshana produced a good ball to Laura Newby whose shot was well saved by the keeper. Tianna had a shot which was blocked off, just at the last moment and Amy had a shot which just went wide of the post. 

Becca had run from sweeper into the box and managed to get a shot away, which was well saved.  Hollie broke out of the defence and went for a stroll up the park with the ball. 

Tianna and Amy were linking up well and Blerta added to the score line, when Laura delivered a great ball to her, she beat a couple of players to make it 10-0.  Laura very nearly had her own goal, when Bobbi produced a good free kick, which Amy flicked onto Laura, but unfortunately it sailed over the crossbar. 

The girls had played really well again today, especially in the appalling conditions in the first half.  Well done to Hemel however who had battled really hard in the first half.  No one player picked this week, very much a team effort. 

I am sure the Mums are so pleased that the Tottenham kit is white, when it’s a very muddy day !! 

DAVID WATSON

Barnet Azzuri 1     Harvesters  8  

Spurs started brightly with Charlotte McLucas attacking the goal with an early run and just couldn’t find Nina Pontes on this occasion. Tori Tripp started her usual runs down the right wing and Tianna Carrington was clearing everything away that came through the middle.  Lydia Maher started up the engine and very nearly find Nina with a searching through ball. 

Both Tottenham outside defenders knew they would be very active and Saskia Collins was being kept busy on the left.  Bobbi Cubberley passed a lovely ball to Lydia who drilled it onto Tori and her shot was well held by the Palace keeper.  Bobbi was looking for searching balls which were testing out the Palace defence.  Following a corner a goal mouth scramble ensued and Tori couldn’t quite pull the trigger this time.  Vicki Blake and Tianna were holding the centre of defence well with Alexa Rangecroft mixing it up in the middle of the park.  Charlotte had a long range shot which was well held by the keeper.  Tianna delivered a great long ball to Bobbi who was just beaten to the ball by a Palace defence which was under constant attack. 

Becca Dowling and Saskia were stepping up when required to intercept through balls and Alexa was also dropping back when required to ensure that Lily Tyrimos wasn’t bothered in the Tottenham goal. The next minute Alexa was up front putting Palace under pressure. The first goal came after about 15 minutes when Nina had a shot which was pushed out, Lydia chased after it and the keeper took her out, but at the same time Nina had managed to retrieve the ball and smash it into the back of the net for 1-0.  The girls were now pushing forward even more with Tori charging down the right and goal number two came when Tianna delivered an excellent long ball out of defence to Lydia who put her after-burners on and coolly stepped past the keeper to stroke the ball into the net for 2-0 after 18 minutes. 

Still Spurs had to keep their wits about them with Saskia intercepting some through balls. Tori however had a shot from just inside the area which was parried away by the Palace keeper.  Vicki was cutting out the Palace attack time after time.  Alexa delivered an outstanding pass through to Nina who was just beaten to the ball.  Bobbi was looking to provide heat seeking missiles to the front two.  To be fair Palace weren’t giving up and they had a shot which Lily held well. Tianna was also defending well at the back.  The girls however were still very dangerous and Nina broke through and although she could have had a shot, squared the ball to Bobbi, who stroked it majestically over the keeper to make it 3-0. 

Becca was strong in defence and Alexa was charging her opponents down to ensure that they didn’t have a minute to think.  Lily delivered a long kick out which found Lydia and she was just foiled in her attempt at goal at the last moment. 

The girls started slowly in the second half and both sides were cancelling each other out for long periods .You sensed that the girls had let Palace back into the game and so it proved to be when their Captain wasn’t closed down quickly and took a great shot at goal from just outside the area which went over Lily’s head to make it 3-1.  A very well taken goal, well done. 

The girls still took a few more minutes before they started to warm back up, with Bobbi battling through and her shot whistling past the keeper's out stretched hand and Lydia popped up at the far corner to tap the ball in, unfortunately it went the wrong side of the post.  Bobbi had the bit between her teeth now and was battling really hard down the left, linking up with Laura Newby, who had come on for an injured Nina.  

Still Palace hadn’t given up and Tori was called into action to cover on the left. Bobbi had run herself ragged and came off to allow Amy Woff a go. Laura was very busy up front and Becca and Saskia were still getting stuck in. 

Amy had a shot which was held by the opposition keeper.  Vicki and Becca were linking up at the back to make sure that the goal was secure.  Vicki delivered a ball to Amy who drilled it to Laura who couldn’t quite get her shot away. 

Tori very nearly scored one of her trade mark goals, when she sped past two defenders on the right, cut inside and let fly with a guided missile which just whistled past the far hand post. Amy battled down the left, beat a couple of players and then passed the ball to Laura who smashed the ball towards goal it was parried away by the keeper, but Palace didn’t fully clear the ball and Lydia then decided to dance around three defenders and smash the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-1.   

Overall a very good game of football with both sides entering into the spirit of the occasion.  Excellent stuff everyone. 

Well done girls, don’t eat too much Christmas Pud !!!

DAVID WATSON

A moment later and there was a goal mouth scramble with Charlotte McLucas and Bobbi Cubberley getting involved. 

Hollie Watson cleared the ball away on the right.  Blerta Berisha decided to dance around three players on the left wing and cross the ball to Lydia Maher, who pulled it back to Laura, who drilled it back to Lydia, who then passed it to Blerta, whose shot whistled over the bar. 

Tianna Carrington was her normal cool self in the centre of defence with Vicki Blake making sure no long balls got through.  Tori charged down the right once more and crossed the ball to Blerta who passed it onto Laura, whose shot was saved.  A moment later and Laura returned the favour by laying a ball off to Blerta who produced a high lofted left footed shot which beat the keeper and nestled in the back of the net to make it 2-0 after six minutes.  Spurs continued to push forward with Bobbi producing a great through ball to Charlotte who was pushing up from the middle. 

Saskia Collins with Vicki were ensuring that nothing was getting past the defence.  Charlotte produced a run down the left and crossed the ball to Laura, whose left footed shot missed the goal by a whisker.  Bobbi produced a good pass to Tori, whose shot was well saved by the keeper.  Blerta was causing problems on the left wing and she passed to Charlotte, who flicked it onto Lydia and her shot missed the post by a fraction. 

Goal number three was a great individual effort by Blerta who beat a couple of players on the left and then smashed the ball home to make it 3-0 after 15 mins.  The girls were peppering the Barnet goal, with Charlotte’s shot being well saved and then Tori a few moments later her shot sailing over the crossbar.  Tori went on one of her famous runs down the right, she crossed the ball to Blerta, whose shot was saved it fell to Lydia, who then drilled it away to make it 4-0.  It was after this goal that Barnet had their best chance of the game, when they broke through on the right and one of their players had a shot, from just inside the area, which Shoshana Field held firmly. 

The girls quickly went up the other end, with Blerta producing some very skilful football down the left.  Laura had a shot which was superbly saved with one hand by the Barnet keeper.  The girls then went on a run with Charlotte passing to Blerta, on to Laura, then to Lydia to finish it off and make it 5-0.  One minute later and it was 6-0 when Amy Woff passed the ball to Lydia, who squared it back to Bobbi who smashed it away for 6-0.  Goal number seven was an own goal, after pressure from Laura and Amy.

Becca Dowling was battling away to make sure that no Barnet attacker was going to get past her.  

Hollie produced a great long ball to Blerta, who dashed down the line and her shot just went over the top.  The next move saw another long ball from Hollie, this time to Laura, who ran onto it.  As the keeper came out to meet her and slipped, Laura tucked the ball past her to make it 8-0.  Still the girls didn’t stop with Amy crossing the ball to Bobbi, whose shot just went over the bar, before half time. 

Barnet started the second half more brightly and Tianna was called upon to clear the ball away, however goal number nine came within a couple of minutes when, Bobbi crossed the ball to Nina Pontes, who chested it into the goal.  A moment later and it was 10-0 when Bobbi produced a great through ball to Nina who took it on and buried it past the keeper.  The girls were dominating the pitch and Amy passed the ball to Nina, who saw her shot cleared off the line by a Barnet defender. 

Blerta was at it again when Bobbi crossed the ball to her and she smashed the ball away to make it 11-0 and her hat trick of the day.  Nina was battling away up with Alexa Rangecroft having a shot which just went wide of the mark.  Nina had a shot saved by the keeper. 

Goal number four came for Blerta when she was on the left and whipped a shot across the goal, which the keeper couldn’t hold and it was 12-0 to Spurs.  A moment later Bobbi hit the post.  Still the girls weren’t finished with Blerta getting her fifth goal when she chipped the keeper to make it 13-0.  The girls continued to forge forward and Bobbi found Nina with a searching pass and she slammed the ball into the net to make it 14-0. The last goal of the game came when Amy battled through on the right, she had a shot which the keeper couldn’t hold and Alexa popped it up to tuck it away for 15-0.  

To be fair to Barnet they never gave up for which they should be proud of.  The girls were in one of those moods today, so let’s hope they can continue in the same vein for the rest of the season.

Well done girls and a special well done to Blerta who was named player of the match for her five goal haul !!

DAVID WATSON

Belmont United -    
Buckden Girls  -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Harvesters  -    
Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Luton Town  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -    

Now every time the girls have played Luton it has rained, so with the floods during the week, we thought that today would be no different, indeed we were surprised that the pitch wasn’t water logged.  We also didn’t have Gerry the Manager or indeed Charlotte, who were both at a christening, so it was down to the two Pauls.  

No the pitch wasn’t water logged, but, oh boy, the mud was something to die for ... but more of that later.  Let's get on with the game, which the girls started at a pace, winning the first corner which Tori Tripp delivered, with the keeper holding onto to it.  A few seconds later and Tori was bombing down the right, delivered a great cross into the box, which Laura Newby expertly chested down and slammed the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0 with just 90 seconds on the clock. 

The girls were battling against the wind which was in their faces and were running through the glue which was the pitch.  Bobbi Cubberley was putting some pressure on the Luton defence and Vicki Blake and Tianna Carrington were holding firm in the centre of defence cutting out the long balls that Luton were putting through.  Becca Dowling had her hands full on the right of defence and was battling hard.  Vicki delivered a good ball to Lydia Maher whose Dad, John was probably on his way to the Airport to catch a flight to Canada and would be thinking of her, as she flicked the ball onto Tori who, once again, was causing problems for the Luton defence. 

Spurs switched the pressure to the left wing, when Bobbi produced a sublime pass to Blerta Berisha who rushed on and her shot went wide of the mark.  Still Luton were pushing hard down their left and Becca was standing firm.  Tianna was clearing up well at the back and produced a long ball to Bobbi, who drilled it to Blerta which was hard through the mud and she found it as her shot was held by the keeper.  Saskia Collins was battling on the left and looking to deliver through balls to Blerta.  

Alexa Rangecroft was controlling the centre of midfield and I am sure that Mr Anderson in the USA would be proud.

Bobbi was linking up with Blerta well on the left and Lydia was doing the same on the right with Tori.  Despite the wind the girls forged forward with Blerta passing to Bobbi, who lofted the ball to Laura and her shot was well held by the keeper.  It was then a very busy period for Alexa who one moment was delivering through balls to Tori, then cutting out attacks in the middle and finally tracking back to assist the defence on the right. 

Luton were really starting to put Tottenham under pressure, but the central defence of Vicki and Tianna were stepping up well and Becca and Saskia were also battling away.  Still Lily Tyrimos hadn’t had any shots to save. 

Spurs started to battle back and Blerta had a couple of shots saved, with the Luton defence clearing their goal mouth time after time.  Tori was still crossing the ball in from the right and Laura was prowling the goal area, looking for an opportunity to pounce.  Becca was stepping up to cut out the through balls.  Unfortunately Alexa had a clash of heads and see had to be substituted after 30 minutes by Amy Woff, who had a shot saved by the keeper just before half time. 

Now the girls had the wind at their backs and during the break had managed to remove some of the mud from their boots, with that trusty tool a stick !!  

The girls started the second half like they did the first at pace.  Hollie Watson had come on for Becca and straight away managed to turn Luton attackers charging the other way as she beat them to the ball and drilled some long passes to Tori and Lydia who were causing mayhem on the right.  After one of these moves, one of the best goals I have witnessed occurred.  Tori headed the ball onto Lydia, who headed it onto Laura, who without flinching volleyed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0 with only two minutes of the second half having elapsed. 

I am sure that Mr Williams in Bristol would have been delighted to have seen Lydia’s involvement in this superb goal by Laura. 

The girls were now pushing Luton harder and harder, with Lydia battling forward with Tori in the Luton box, as they were scrambling to get the ball out.  Still the girls had to keep their wits about them and Saskia was charging back to cut out any chance of the Luton strikers taking a shot at goal. Hollie was very strong on the right, slamming the door in the faces of the opposition attackers time after time, also by stepping up and using her strength in tackles. 

Blerta darted up the pitch she beat a couple of players and her shot towards to goal, was parried away by the keeper and Laura almost finished the re-bound off, but it just whistled by the post.  Tianna cleared the ball away at the back and it fell to Tori, whose shot went wide.  It was at this point that the two Pauls decided to out do the Luton manager who had made three changes at once, by introducing a quadruple change, with Nina Pontes, Becca, Shoshana Field and Alexa coming on for Lydia, Saskia, Lily and Blerta.  Well done boys.  I like your style !!  

Nina was in the action straight away and delivered a flick on to Tori, whose shot went wide of the post.  Still Luton were dangerous and when they forged down the Tottenham left, they managed to get in behind Becca and Tianna, but Hollie had come across from the right to cover and smashed the ball away, before it could reach the striker who was running onto it. 

A moment later and the girls were back up the Luton end and Nina had a shot, which was kicked away by the keeper and then Laura’s shot was cleared off the line by the tall Luton defender.  Bobbi floated a great ball over to Tori, who couldn’t quite get on the end of it and Tori repaid the favour a few moments later, when she put in a super cross, which went across the face of the Luton goal, but, unfortunately, none of the four Spurs players couldn’t get a foot on it. 

Alexa produced a great through ball to Nina, who was just beaten to it by the Luton keeper.  All this pressure however paid off a few minutes later when Amy broke on the left hand side and her shot, flicked up off a Luton defender into the path of Laura, who buried it into the back of the net to make it 3-0 and also her hat trick of the day.  Despite the conditions the girls were still looking to pass the ball on the floor and there was a good move between Amy, Lydia and Tori.  Luton however to their credit never gave up and unfortunately there was a goal mouth scramble, where the referee gave a penalty decision.  All I will say is that it was an interesting decision.  To be fair the Luton striker took the penalty well and Shoshana didn’t really stand a chance.  Luton tried to look for another one, but despite all their endeavours they didn’t have another shot at goal.  Blerta had a shot which was saved and also there was a move between Tori to Nina to Blerta, whose shot was saved by the keeper. 

This game had been a real test for the girls, who couldn’t play there normal passing game because of the sticky conditions under foot and Luton who had given them a good work out.  Whilst Luton only managed the one shot (i.e. the penalty) they had pushed the girls really hard, which is a great credit to them. 

The Spurs girls should be applauded for their effort and determination, with a special mention to Laura who had a magnificent game and of course the two Pauls, one of whom did it all with only one fully functioning arm. 

A special mention should also go to the Stick that did a brilliant job of cleaning up many boots and stopped half of Luton returning to Tottenham !!

DAVID WATSON

Belmont United -    
Buckden Girls  -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Harvesters  -    
Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -    

Belmont United -    
Buckden Girls  -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Harvesters  -    
Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Luton Town  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -    

Belmont United -    
Buckden Girls  -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Harvesters  -    
Luton Town  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -    

The girls knew the game today would be tough, as Buckden are a strong physical side, with the girls not having played a competitive match for a couple of weeks. 

The game started and the girls took a few minutes to adapt their style of play to the much smaller pitch.  The defence of Tianna Carrington and Vicki Blake was called into action early, with Tianna clearing the ball away positively. 

Tori Tripp broke down the right and showed what a danger she is.  Becca Dowling was battling hard down the right of defence and Alexa Rangecroft was active in the middle of the park, keeping the ball moving.  Lily Tyrimos came off her line to collect the ball and made a strong goal kick out.  Saskia Collins had her hands full on the left of defence and was working hard.  

Bobbi Cubberley broke down the right and crossed an excellent ball into the box, which unfortunately Laura Newby couldn’t quite get hold of it on this occasion.  The flow of play then moved down to Buckden attacking through the long ball, which this time went through and Lily had to bravely dive on the ball before an attacker could get to it. Once again Tianna was clearing the ball away strongly and Charlotte McLucas was creating some movement in the middle. 

Tori went dashing down the right and slammed the ball towards the goal which the keeper held well. Lydia Maher started to put more pressure on the left hand side, with Bobbi having a shot which was well saved by the keeper. 

Bobbi was really starting to boss the middle of the park and she passed the ball to Tori, who was in front of goal and made no mistake in smashing the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0 after 15 minutes. 

Laura was linking up with Bobbi who was skilfully dancing around a few players and sending over testing balls, which the keeper was just getting to in time.  Lydia was very nearly through on a well weighted pass by Alexa and then Lydia produced a great pass through to Laura, who very nearly got past the last defender.  Charlotte had a shot which went over the bar and this was followed up a few minutes later by Alexa, who had a shot which went wide. 

Tori had a great chance just in front of goal, but unfortunately smashed it over the bar.  The girls were putting Buckden under pressure, with Becca drilling a ball to Laura who switched it onto Tori, whose shot just went over the top.  The Buckden keeper then pulled off a great save, when Bobbi blasted the ball at the goal, the keeper tipped the ball onto the bar and it bounced down and out of the goal.  You started to have the feeling it maybe one of those days.  However, a few moments later there was a goal-mouth scramble, with the ball bouncing around, this time Bobbi managed to tap it in to make it 2-0 after 25 minutes. 

Still Buckden didn’t give up, Tianna Carrington was defending well at the back, with Vicki Blake covering and Becca and Saskia knowing that they were in a real battle.  The girls however were doing well and Buckden whilst very dangerous at times, still hadn’t a clear shot at goal. 

The girls very nearly made it 3-0 just before half time, when there was a goal mouth scramble, but no one could finish it off. 

Buckden came out in the second half with the bit between their teeth and Alexa was called to defend, with the assistance of Vicki.  For the first 10 minutes there was a great midfield battle, with no team making much headway either way. Hollie Watson was in a battle down the right hand side and Tori had moved over to the left hand side.  Tori charged down the line and had her shot well saved by the keeper. 

Saskia was defending very well down the left.  Buckden very nearly scored when there was a goal-mouth scramble from a corner, with Tianna clearing the ball off the line with her leg, it spun up, hit the crossbar, hit Lily’s arm and then she finally caught it, before an attacker could get hold of it. 

Blerta Berisha was on the right and she had a shot which went wide of the mark. Vicki decided to go on a long run from defence and passed the ball onto to Tori, whose shot was well saved once again by the keeper. 

Nina Pontes had joined the party and had a shot which was saved brilliantly by the Buckden keeper, who dived to her right and palmed the ball away with one hand. 

The girls swapped over and Blerta was now pushing down the left, with Tori charging down the right and having at least a couple of shots which whistled over the bar. 

Bobbi was still floating in the middle of the park, with Vicki covering well in the middle of defence.  Shoshana Field was called into the attack, up front and Nina Pontes passed the ball to her, but the defender just managed to clear the ball away, before she could pull back the trigger.  

Tori had another shot at goal, which unfortunately went over the top. Still Buckden didn’t give up and Vicki was clearing the ball away, with Hollie Watson, making sure that they didn’t break through on the right and covering when necessary.  Tianna was also clearing the ball out of danger. 

Becca had come on again on the left for Saskia and made a good couple of clearances up the park.  Shoshana was once again just beaten to the ball up front as she was about to let loose with a shot.  Tori flicked the ball to Nina, whose shot was saved and Lydia was working the midfield to make sure that the game flowed.  Blerta had one of the last chances of the game, which was saved by the keeper. 

The girls knew that they had been in a battle, but they had dug deep and it is no coincidence that they have the best defensive record in the League, which certainly helps in these tight games.  

Buckden should be praised for their determination and spirit, they never gave up.  The opposition Manager also needs special mention, as he was wearing shorts, whilst the rest of us had our coats, hats and scarves on, it must be a Northern thing !!! 

Well done girls, fantastic stuff the bus keeps rolling on.

DAVID WATSON

Belmont United -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Harvesters  -    
Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Luton Town  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -    

This League cup game was always going to be interesting and tough as the girls hadn’t beaten Harvesters at 11 a side in their last four encounters over the last couple of years. 

Tianna Carrington was called into action fairly early on and cleared the ball away nicely from the back. Alexa Rangecroft was getting stuck in straight away and you just knew that she would have a busy day in the centre of the midfield. Tori Tripp was battling down the right looking for space and testing out the defence. 

Nina Pontes produced a nice pass to Charlotte McLucas whose long range shot tested the keeper.  Becca Dowling on the right of defence produced a searching ball up to Nina and Laura Newby up front. 

Blerta Berisha was feeling her way down the left of midfield, she won a corner for Tottenham.  Charlotte floated the ball into the box; it fell out to Laura who smashed it in the back of the net after just five minutes to make it 1-0. 

Saskia Collins started brightly on the left of defence making some important tackles and stepping up nicely to intercept the ball. Tori bombed up the right hand side and crossed the ball nicely into the box, Nina just couldn’t get on the end of it on this occasion. 

Vicki Blake was stepping up in the centre of defence and clearing the ball away.  Unfortunately she suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Hollie Watson after just 17 minutes.   The girls continued to push forward and Alexa had a shot which was well saved.  Harvesters however hit back with a counter attack and Lily Tyrimos held a long range shot well. 

Spurs however didn’t hang about and were back down the other end with Nina having a shot which was well held by the Harvesters keeper.  Tori and Becca were swapping over from time to time and causing all sorts of problems to the Harvesters defenders. Following a couple of injuries, Harvesters fell to 10 people as they ran out of subs.  The girls continued to pile on the pressure with Charlotte having a long range shot which went wide and Nina chipped the keeper, with the ball missing the back of the net by a couple of inches. 

Still the girls had to be solid in defence with Tianna and Hollie clearing the ball.  There were some great passing moves with one of the best started by Bobbi Cubberley who had come on for Blerta, passed the ball out to Tori, who crossed the ball in and Nina’s header just whistled past the up right. 

Harvesters had now gone back to full strength and still Spurs pushed forward.  Following another attack Laura delivered her second goal of day as she drove the ball past the keeper's out-stretched hand after 27 minutes. 

Still Harvesters didn’t give up, with Hollie coming across clearing the ball away on more than one occasion.  The girls still pushed forward and Hollie delivered a long ball to Laura who drove it on to Bobbi who drilled it to Tori on the right and the ball just sailed over the bar, with her thumping drive. 

Saskia was doing a great job on the left, stepping up time after time and Becca was also making sure that Harvesters didn’t get a shot on target.  Harvesters did however break through on the Tottenham left just before half time and their shot luckily went wide of the mark. 

Alexa was very determined and solid in the middle of the park; unfortunately she picked up an injury just before half time and wouldn’t take any further part in the game as her foot started to swell up. 

The second half started and unfortunately the girls weren’t closing their players down quickly, with the midfield not tracking back, which meant that the defence was under constant pressure.  Lily made a great save when she very bravely dived on a long range ball, just before the Harvester striker could get to it. 

The girls were under sustained pressure for about 10 minutes, with the defence trying to constantly clear the ball away.  Following another goal mouth scramble, this time the ball wasn’t cleared properly and Harvesters made it 2-1. 

The goal did shock Tottenham into playing better football, although Lydia Maher who had come on for Alexa had her hands full in the middle of defence, with Bobbi, Charlotte and Tori.  Hollie and Tianna were clearing the ball away, but Tori wasn’t able to find the same sort of space she had in the first half and the girls still had their backs to the wall. 

Bobbi was looking for Laura up front and she tried a few long balls, which Laura was battling for, but was just being beaten to by either the last defender or goal keeper. 

Saskia was playing well on the left of defence and was stepping up to intercept time after time. Bobbi had a shot which was well saved by the keeper.  A few moments later and following a goal mouth scramble, Lily made a super reaction save with her feet to deny Harvesters an equaliser.  Blerta was looking to forge forward, with Hollie finding Tori with a long ball which she ran onto, crossed and the defender very nearly smashed it into her own net. 

A few minutes later and Blerta had a fantastic shot at goal, when she turned quickly; the ball was very well saved by the Harvesters keeper, as it looked like a certain goal. 

Vicki had come back on and was battling hard in the centre of defence.  Lily made another vital save as Harvesters had the bit between their teeth and were pressurising the Tottenham goal.  Unfortunately following a heavy tackle Hollie had to come off with a hand injury and Becca again joined the party. 

Shoshana Field came on to strengthen the midfield and was in the thick of the action, from almost the word go. 

Still the girls on both sides battled on, with Saskia continuing to be on top form.  Laura and Bobbi were still looking for goals, but Harvesters remained very dangerous and Lily pulled off a blinding save two minutes from time.  The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for some very nervous parents. 

Harvesters are a good side who have always got the better of Tottenham in the past, but Spurs showed the right amount of spirit and determination to weather the storm this time.  The girls will undoubtedly need to raise their game next week when they meet Harvesters in the League and need to put the sort of display together they gave in the first half, consistently throughout the whole game.  Hopefully all the injuries would have cleared up by then. 

Player for the match went quite rightly to Saskia who had a great game in defence.  Well done girls, sometimes it’s not going to be pretty but it’s the result that counts.

DAVID WATSON

Belmont United -    
Buckden Girls  -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Luton Town  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -    

The sun was very bright, but the game was delayed for 15 minutes to allow the hard frost from the night before to melt away, which it did.  The girls started brightly with Tori Tripp darting down the right and crossing the ball to Nina Pontes whose shot was just blocked off by the Harvester defender.  Becca Dowling on the right of defence was finding some good space to run into.  Spurs found a breakthrough early when Bobbi Cubberley passed the ball to Tori, who crossed it to Laura Newby in the middle, who smashed it away to make it 1-0 after just four minutes play.

Tianna Carrington was clearing the ball away nicely at the back.  Nina was really getting stuck in up front and Becca continued to enjoy some freedom on the right.  Saskia Collins was very busy on the left of defence and was clearing the ball away when needed. 

Lily Tyrimos produced a long kick to Charlotte McLucas who then produced a great through ball to Laura whose shot just whistled past the post.  Tori continued to make a nuisance of herself down the right, trying to find Laura with her crosses.  Vicki Blake was strong in the centre of defence, stepping up when required to clear the ball away from danger.  Harvesters are a quick and dangerous side, as the girls found out from last week.  A couple of defenders missed the ball and Harvesters were on goal, Lily produced a brilliant save to push the ball against the post and the danger was cleared.  That was the wake up call that Spurs needed as they pushed once again on the Harvesters goal.  Bobbi produced a brilliant long pass to Nina, who flicked the ball over the keeper, who got a hand to it, but it wasn’t enough and the ball sailed into the back of the net to make it 2-0 after 15 minutes. 

Vicki was producing some very solid clearances in the middle of the park, with Saskia making the ball safe when required.  Tori produced another great cross, which the opposition defender nearly smashed into her own net.  Lydia Maher was very busy in the midfield and had a shot from outside the area, which went wide of the mark. 

Nina was showing her strength and skill up front, holding off defenders and turning them at will.  Laura was also very busy having a couple of shots that were well saved by the keeper.  Vicki continued to stand up and be counted in central defence, closing the attackers down quickly and stepping up when required. 

Nina produced a good ball to Charlotte, who produced a great long ball onto Laura, who was battling with the defender and managed to squeeze a shot away which was well saved.  Lydia was pushing up further and was joining in the battle with Nina and Laura up front as Alexa Rangecroft had joined the fray.

Lydia produced a good cross on the right which Harvesters were struggling to defend.  The best goal of the day came when the girls broke out of defence, Lydia passed the ball onto Laura who ran on and blasted the ball, which the keeper saved, but Nina was following up and drilled the ball away to make it 3-0. 

The girls were putting Harvesters under a great deal of pressure and Laura produced a good cross which Nina got on the end of and the keeper pulled off a brilliant save.  However you should never under estimate Harvesters as they continued to test the Spurs defence, with Becca clearing well and Tianna producing some strong kicks away before half time. 

A change of personnel at half time with Hollie coming on for Saskia on the left of defence.  The girls knew after last week Harvesters weren’t going to lie down and Tianna was covering well at the back early on.  Charlotte was battling away and Vicki had to step up and clear as Harvesters started to push forward on the counter attacks. 

Alexa was working really hard in the middle of the park and wasn’t shying away from anything.  Becca was clearing the ball away and having a battle royal on the right, with Nina prowling around the front looking for an opening for her hat-trick. 

Hollie was clearing up at the back on the left with Becca doing a similar job on the left as Harvesters continued to look for an opening.  The defenders of Vicki, Tianna, Becca and Hollie were under some strain, but they were working as a team to cover each other and make sure that the opposition didn’t break through. 

Alexa and Lydia were linking up in the middle of the park.  Blerta Berisha had now joined the game and was involved straight away when she drilled a great ball to Nina, who smashed the ball towards the goal, once again the Harvester keeper produced a fantastic save and pushed the ball off for a corner. 

Tianna was called upon to clear the ball away at the back and Vicki battled hard with the Harvester striker to ensure that she didn’t get her shot away, as she broke through the middle.  Blerta was showing what excellent individual skill she has on the ball as she beat three players on the left and her shot was saved by the keeper.  Lily comfortably held a shot from a Harvester player from range, which was their first of the second half. 

Blerta was at it again a moment later, this time on the right, when she danced past a couple of players and her shot was parried away by the keeper.  A few seconds later and a pass into Blerta saw her on the left and this time, with her individual skill she was unstoppable as she coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 4-0. 

To be fair Harvesters still didn’t give up and Vicki produced some super headers away from goal, with Hollie turning defending into attack with a great through ball to Blerta who crossed the ball to Shoshana Field in attack, who couldn’t quite, beat the keeper on this occasion.  Hollie repeated the event a few moments later and this time Blerta, just missed the post by a cat’s whisker, as she struck the ball with the outside of her right boot to steer it away from the keepers out stretched diving hand. 

Tianna produced another good clearance from defence and was venturing further up the pitch to see if she could have a go at goal.  Charlotte produced a good cross into the middle and once again the crowd cheered Shoshana on as she had a go at goal, which was saved by the keeper. 

The girls had finished with a flourish as Tori passed to Lydia and she had a shot which was well saved. 

This was a great display by the girls who had all battled well and unlike last week had made sure that they were in command of the game for both halves. Harvesters had fought really well and never gave up for the whole 70 minutes. 

The girls should be proud of themselves, for this important win in terms of the League and also for burying some ghosts of previous encounters.

Player of the match went to Bobbi for her vision and passing during the game.

DAVID WATSON

Belmont United -    
Buckden Girls  -    
Denham United  -    
Enfield Town A  -    
Hitchin Town Belles  -    
Luton Town  -    
Lea Valley United  -    
Stevenage Borough Juniors A  -