All the Tottenham supporters were wearing hats, scarves and waving flags as both teams entered the stadium as both sets of supporters gave the teams a great reception. 

Whilst Spurs had won the cup the year before, it was Beacons that created the early pressure with Becca Dowling putting in an early tackle and Vicki Blake and Tianna Carrington having to peddle backwards and complete some clearances. 

What became however clear from early on was whilst Beacons were quick on the break, but were vulnerable at the back, which Tori Tripp nearly exploited after a couple of minutes as she darted down the right hand side, crossed the ball to Nina Pontes who was one on one with the keeper and unfortunately didn’t fully connect on this occasion and the keeper had an easy save. Beacons however weren’t hanging around and attacked the Spurs defence once again, with Saskia Collins being fully employed on the left and Tianna producing another clearance at the back. 

The midfield started to get into the game with Bobbi Cubberley putting a through ball to Laura Newby who was just beaten to the ball by the keeper. Tori once again, found Nina with a cross and once again, it was an easy save for the keeper. Beacons were battering at the Tottenham door and Becca, Vicki, Tianna and Saskia found themselves at full stretch with Charlotte McLucas and Alexa Rangecroft also tracking back to stop the Beacon attacks. The defence however remained firm, with no shots getting through to Lily Tyrimos.  Vicki delivered a long ball to Nina ,who found Tori who was one on one with the keeper and unfortunately the ball was blasted directly at the keeper, who held on to it. 

However the first goal came after 12 minutes when Bobbi delivered a lovely weighted pass to Nina, who made no mistake and buried the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.  If however if you thought that Beacons would just lay down, how wrong you would have been. Saskia was defending like a tiger on the left and Alexa was throwing herself around to make sure that they couldn’t break through. Some relief came when Tori dashed down the right and had a brilliant shot, well saved by the opposition keeper.   

Bobbi was pushing up and was starting to make some telling passes in the midfield. Charlotte was tracking back and getting stuck in, with Vicki clearing the balls away with some great headers. Still the girls were looking for the breakthrough and Nina drilled a ball to Bobbi who flashed it to Laura, whose shot just went wide of the post.  A moment later and some super passing between Alexa, Bobbi and Tori, saw her shot being well saved.  

Beacons however were still very dangerous and suddenly broke through the middle of defence and Lily had to sprint off her line and dive bravely on the ball just as the Beacon striker was bearing down on her. Tottenham now had their backs against the wall and Vicki, Tianna, Saskia and Becca were all involved in some goal mouth scrambles and telling clearances. Whilst some other teams may have buckled under the pressure, the Spurs girls are made of stronger stuff and don’t have one of the best defensive records in the Home Counties League for no reason. 

The second goal was a joy to watch as Bobbi passed the ball to Becca on the right, who at the time was just behind the half way line, she ran onto it at pace and glided past one midfielder.  Now for the defender, who she floated the ball past and was on it in a flash, leaving the defender in her wake.  She was now closing in on goal, with the rest of the Beacon defence scrambling to get to her, she looked up and blasted the ball into the far top left hand corner, as the Tottenham crowd went wild with excitement. It was an awesome goal to watch, fantastic stuff, well done, so 2-0 with 30 mins on the clock. 

Becca’s goal was a trade mark Tori run and not to be out done, Tori was charging down the right hand side and smashed the ball away to make it 3-0 after just 32 mins. 

Beacons however still didn’t give up and Saskia and Tianna were called into action before the half time whistle. 

The opposition came out once again strongly at the start of the second half and Becca was battling nicely at the back, with Saskia stepping up to clear the ball away. Lily was called into action to hold a long range shot.  Alexa was cutting out the searching balls in the middle of the park and Laura and Nina were tracking back to assist as required. Nina produced a through ball to Laura whose was just beaten to the ball by the keeper. Lily was called to do the same thing down the other end and both sides were looking for ways through. 

At this point Lydia Maher and Blerta Berisha joined the show with Nina and Charlotte taking a well earned rest. 

The fourth came when Tianna produced a long ball to Laura who passed to Tori, who made no mistake and buried the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-0 after 45 mins.  Soon afterwards Laura had a shot well saved and Hollie Watson came on for Becca. 

Blerta was showing her balls skills in the middle of the park, taking on a number of defenders, with Vicki reaming strong in the defence. 

Blerta drilled a ball to Laura who flicked it on to Lydia and she was just beaten to the ball by the keeper. Bobbi had a long range shot which was well saved by the keeper. The girls were now really putting Beacons under pressure and Tori found Lydia with a great pass and she put the ball away to make it 5-0 after 51 mins.  A moment later and Hollie produced a long throw to Lydia which put her through on goal, but the defender stuck out her leg and a penalty was awarded.  Bobbi confidently strode up to the penalty spot.  Her mum Paula couldn’t watch as she coolly placed the ball in the far left hand corner to make it 6-0 after 53 mins. 

Alexa was involved in creating a pass to Laura, who saw her shot deflected off a defender to go wide.  Still the girls were pushing forward at will and Blerta and Alexa were creating a lot more space in the middle. 

Goal number seven came when Tori charged down the right, she beat about three players in the penalty box, then drilled her shot towards the keeper who parried it away, straight into the path of Saskia who had come on a raiding mission from defence and she absolutely smashed the ball with all her power into the back of the net, before the keeper could blink to make it 7-0 after 60 mins. 

Still Beacons however didn’t give up and had a shot which whistled over the bar.  Blerta had a shot which was well saved and then unfortunately the defence were undone at the back and whilst the linesman flagged for offside, the goal stood to make it 7-1. 

The girls however were still looking for more goals, as Hollie produced a long ball to Lydia, who found Blerta, who slid a ball to Shoshana Field who had jus come on and very nearly scored with her first touch of the day. Shoshana then was battling up front, won the ball which she passed to Lydia who was looking to find Laura who was just called offside. 

Shoshana then was involved again, when she found Amy Woff who had come on, she passed the ball to Laura whose shot just went wide of the post. Hollie was called into defending at the back and Lily was called into saving a long range shot.  Shoshana was then through and was one on one with the keeper, which the goalie just held.  Amy then had a shot that was saved and the girls finished with a series of corners, which they couldn’t quite convert. 

The final whistle blew and a large cheer went up. Beacons had played really well, they had never given up, had battled really hard and they should be really proud of themselves, considering that they normally play 9-a-side every week. 

The Tottenham girls showed what they are truly made of, despite being under pressure for periods in the game, they held their nerve and shape and came out fighting, punishing the opposition when they had the opportunity. Player of the match was awarded to Tori, who had scored two goal, made another of others and had run her heart out in the process.  Brilliant stuff well done. 

What can I say; I know that Gerry and the two Paul’s are really proud of you. More Silver for the trophy cabinet, hopefully it won’t be the last in 2008 !!

DAVID WATSON

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

It was a bright start in all senses of the word, as Hollie Watson drilled a ball to Bobbi Cubberley out of defence, who ran on down the left, she then passed to Laura Newby who pushed the ball onto to Lydia Maher, who crossed the ball back to Bobbi who had charged into the box and smashed the ball away to make it 1-0 after 45 seconds. 

The girls were pushing Hitchin hard and Lydia hit the bar with a shot. This was followed up by a pass from Amy Woff to Lydia, who drove the ball over the top of the bar. 

Becca Dowling had pushed up from defence and she had a strike which went over the bar.  Amy crossed the ball to Alexa Rangecroft whose shot was parried out and Laura nearly got to the rebound.  The girls were all over the opposition with Charlotte McLucas crossing the ball to Amy, whose shot went over the top. 

The wind was blowing strongly which meant that Vicki Blake had to carefully watch any high balls and clear them away safely.  Laura was pushing forward, she broke through and her pass was just picked up by the Hitchin keeper, before Lydia could put her foot through it. Becca was creating space down the right and was showing her speed in attack as well as defence.  Tianna Carrington had pushed up from central defence and had a shot which just went wide of the target.  The girls were putting Hitchin under tremendous pressure, but hadn’t capitalised on their chances, which changed in the 14th minute, when there was a great passing move, which saw Bobbi float a ball to Amy who drilled it to Lydia and she buried it in the back of the net to make it 2-0. 

Bobbi was showing her footballing skills in the middle of the park and she floated another ball to Laura, whose shot just went wide.  Lydia was battling up front and Bobbi had a shot which went wide.  Alexa was now showing her moves in the middle and Vicki produced a couple of strong headers from high lofted balls.  Hollie and Becca were patrolling their flanks and no letting anything get past them. 

Bobbi and Laura were giving the defenders trouble, as the entire Hitchin team had now camped themselves behind the ball.  Blerta Berisha came on and immediately showed what a tricky player she is as she left four Hitchin players in her wake as she weaved past them.  The girls continued to press forward with Tianna having another shot which went wide.  Finally the breakthrough came when Charlotte charged down the right and smashed a great ball into the top left hand corner, which was very clinically delivered to make it 3-0 a few minutes before half time.  

The girls started the second half with the wind behind them.  Hollie produced a long searching ball into the box, which Alexa laid off for Lydia whose shot went wide.  Bobbi was looking for the through ball and she found Lydia, who was one on one with the keeper but she pushed it wide.  Laura had also burst into the penalty area and saw her shot hit the post.  Blerta was pushing down the left and had a shot which went wide.  Bobbi had a couple of chances when closing down the goal kicks, which went wide of the mark, however her patience paid off when she beat a couple of players and placed the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-0. 

To be fair despite being under constant pressure, Hitchin were still battling away.  Hollie and Blerta linked up on the left and Blerta shot went over the top.  Saskia Collins was playing in midfield and linking up with Tianna who was looking to push down the right.  Bobbi had a one on one with the keeper and the ball just hit the post. 

Bobbi however completed her hat trick a few minutes later when she coolly collected the ball in the middle of the box and drilled it past the keeper to make it 5-0.  The girls were now fixed in the Hitchin area, but were struggling to get past the mass of players in the middle.

 Shoshana Field came off at this point as she had hardly touched the ball in goal and was replaced by Lily Tyrimos.  

Amy had come back on and she beat three players and drilled the ball into the back of the net to make it 6-0.  Saskia then passed to Nina Pontes up front who was just beaten to the ball.  Charlotte charged down the right and her shot went wide.  Blerta had a shot which was well saved. 

Goal number seven came from some great individual skill by Lydia (or our kid as her Mum kept shouting out !!), when she beat a couple of players and buried the ball.  A few moments later and there was a goal mouth scramble, which saw Nina, slam the ball into the goal to make it 8-0.  Blerta then darted down the left and crossed the ball, which saw Nina pop up again at the far post and tap the ball in to make it 9-0. 

Charlotte had a cross to Nina, which saw the keeper save the forward's effort.  Lydia had a final sprint and was just beaten to the ball by the keeper. 

Player of the match went to Bobbi who had scored a hat trick and produced some real tricky play in the middle of the park.  All credit should go to Hitchin girls who battled hard despite being under the hammer for most of the game. 

Yet again another good squad performance, with all the players adapting their play to the conditions and positions they were asked to play in.

DAVID WATSON

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

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This week’s match was a friendly against Cambridge City Under-13s, who have already won their League and haven’t been beaten for the last two years. 

We all couldn’t believe that the match was still on, after the rain the day and night before, but to be fair the pitch was in a good condition despite the awful weather conditions over the last 24 hours.  Also, the team was without it’s two strikers Nina Pontes (who had the flu) and Lydia Maher, with midfielder Blerta Berisha also suffering from the flu. We hope they all get better soon.   

My report will be very short this week, because I was given the flag to look after during the match rather than my pen !!! 

Cambridge are a strong side and they pushed back Tottenham into their own half.  The defence of Vicki Blake, Tianna Carrington, Hollie Watson and Saskia Collins had their hands full, but the opposition didn’t break through. Unfortunately Hollie had to go off after about 15 minutes, with breathing problems, which was a shame on her Birthday as well. 

There was some re-arrangement with Becca Dowling dropping back from her position of striker with Laura Newby moving to right back.  Amy Woff came on to go into midfield.  All the midfielders - Alexa Rangecroft, Charlotte McLucas, Bobbi Cubberley and Tori Tripp - did a great job of pressurising the opposition and Amy scored a great goal after about 20 minutes to make it 1-0.  She scored her second goal about five minutes later, following a super cross from Tori to put Tottenham 2-0 up at half time. 

Shoshana Field joined the party and the girls battled on, with Cambridge trying very hard to break through.  Still the girls charged on and Amy scored her hat-trick to effectively seal the game at 3-0. 

Still, to be fair, Cambridge tried everything to score, but the defence, with Lily Tyrimos in goal, were superb and despite Cambridge throwing everything at them, they resisted and the score remained at 3-0. 

All the players had battled well, but Becca had shone at the back and was awarded player of the match.  The girls showed what a true force they are and they can all now have a well earned Easter break. 

For all those that are going on the Easter Team holiday, have a smashing time.

DAVID WATSON

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I can’t believe it, the girls were playing Luton Town U13s and for once it wasn’t throwing it down with rain, nor was the wind blowing a gale !!  In fact it was a lovely spring day. 

The girls started slowly with Luton attacking from the kick off.  The defence of Vicki Blake, Tianna Carrington, Hollie Watson and Saskia Collins however held firm and the team weathered the first few minutes well. Tianna was clearing the ball away, with Vicki stepping up and Luton won the first corner of the game. 

Tottenham however started to edge back into it and Tori Tripp had a good run down the right. Spurs should never be under estimated and Bobbi Cubberley delivered a long range shot at goal, which nestled in the back of the net to make it 1-0 with five minutes on the clock. 

Charlotte McLucas then had a long range shot which was held by the keeper.  Vicki was busy in the middle of defence with Alexa Rangecroft digging into the tackles and Charlotte fending off some attacks down the left.  Goal number two wasn’t far away when Charlotte passed the ball to Laura Newby who drilled it to Lydia Maher and she very neatly chipped the ball over the keeper's head to make it 2-0 after eight minutes.  Luton were still battling and Vicki continued to step up to clear with Saskia patrolling the left hand side. Hollie delivered a long ball to Lydia who won a corner and the lofted corner ball fell to Laura, whose shot just hit the crossbar and bounced out. 

Hollie cleared the ball at the back and Charlotte was pushing forward with Laura and Lydia causing the Luton defence some problems. Laura was holding up the ball well and a lovely moved happened when Vicki defending flicked the ball onto Tianna who smashed it up field to Lydia, who collected it and ran on, with her shot being parried away by the keeper, but Tori was on hand to bury the ball to make it 3-0 after 16 minutes. 

Saskia was called upon again to undertake some good defending at the back. Bobbi played a lovely ball to Lydia, who drilled the ball to Tori, who finished the move off to make it 4-0 after 20 minutes.  At this point Shoshana Field came on for Hollie and she got straight into the action, with a good ball to Tori down the right.  Laura had a shot which was well saved and Lydia had a chance after a great cross from Tori on the right. 

Lily Tyrimos was called into action for a long range shot and held the ball firmly.  Alexa was working really hard in the middle of the park and Saskia was battling away on the left hand side, unfortunately she injured herself and Hollie came back into the action on the left hand side. 

Charlotte then delivered an excellent long ball to Lydia, who as the saying goes “rose like a salmon" and headed the ball over the keeper into the back of the net  to make it 5-0 after 31 minutes.  Laura passed to Bobbi and she had a shot at goal which just went wide of the mark.  To finish the half Alexa was turning the opposition inside out. 

A number of personnel changes at half time with Blerta Berisha, Nina Pontes and Amy Woff coming on with Laura, Lydia and Alexa taking a breather. 

Shoshana produced a long ball to Blerta who showed some skill on the left. Nina was very nearly through on goal, following a great ball from Tori.  Hollie was battling away on the left.  Bobbi went through the middle, pushed on to have a great shot parried away by the keeper, but she kept on running and smashed it in the back of the net to make it 6-0 with a few minutes of the second half gone.  Still Luton didn’t give up and Vicki was called into action at the back.  Amy was looking for Bobbi with the ball and Bobbi passed to Blerta, who pushed forward on the left, coolly ran around the keeper and placed the ball into the goal to make it 7-0 after 45 mins. 

Blerta crossed a nice ball to Nina, who couldn’t quite get her shot away on this occasion.  A moment later and Amy had a long range shot which whistled over the keeper and in the back of the net to make it 8-0 after 47 mins. 

To their credit Luton still didn’t give up and Tianna had to clear the ball at the back.  Shoshana drilled a ball to Nina up front, with Hollie also busy on the left hand side of defence. 

Tori had a long range shot which just went wide of the post.  A moment later and Tori delivered a fabulous cross into the box, which Blerta couldn’t quite bury this time.  Vicki, Tianna and Hollie were all battling away in defence to make sure that Luton couldn’t get a clean shot away.  Tori ran down the right again and her shot was well saved by the keeper. Shoshana was also stepping up in defence to keep Luton out. 

Tianna cleared the ball out from a Luton corner onto Blerta, who charged down the pitch, beat a couple of defenders and scored to make it 9-0. 

Luton still pushed forward and Tianna had to undertake at least two last ditch clearances to make sure that they didn’t break through. Vicki was also very busy and to be fair Luton probably finished off the game as they had started it. 

The Luton girls showed great spirit and determination, despite the score and we wish them well for the rest of the season.  The Tottenham girls showed once again what a great squad of players they have with everyone playing their part.  Player of the match went to Tianna, who battled away at the back to make sure that no one broke through. Well done. 

On to the next round !!!!

DAVID WATSON

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Tottenham got into their stride fairly early on and the midfield of Alexa Rangecroft and Bobbi Cubberley were looking for the through ball for Laura Newby up front.  Enfield are a good and dangerous side and it wasn’t long before Vicki Blake was engaged in the middle of defence clearing the ball way.  Tianna Carrington delivered a good long ball to Laura up front who tried to battle through the Enfield defence.  Tori Tripp bombed down the right and crossed the ball well into the middle, but no one could get on the end of it. 

Tianna was solid at the back and Lily Tyrimos come out of goal to collect a through ball, then delivered a great kick out to Lydia Maher up front who sped on and her shot was collected by the Enfield keeper. 

Saskia Collins was having a brilliant game on the left hand side, as she was closing down the dangerous Enfield striker Lauren at each and every opportunity.  Becca Dowling was also busy on the right of defence, cutting out a potential cross.  The next minute, she delivered a long ball to Tori, who had a long range shot which went wide.  Becca was called upon to make a great last ditch tackle in the box to take the ball away from an Enfield players feet. Tianna was also now under pressure and Charlotte McLucas cut out another potential cross. Enfield were now pushing Tottenham back, with Saskia cutting out chances on the left and Tianna clearing away the ball in the middle of defence. 

Whilst Spurs were under pressure, the game did ebb and flow and there was a nice move between Tori to Lydia, back to Tori again, with her shot going wide of the mark.  Hollie Watson had come on for an injured Becca and she was straight into the thick of it, firmly clearing the ball away from danger.  Alexa was battling away as normal in the middle of the park, giving no quarter to the opposition.  

Bobbi put a through ball to Tori, who was just beaten to the ball by the Enfield keeper who had sprinted out of her goal.  Enfield were still pushing forward and Saskia, produced an amazing interception, once again in the box, when she took the ball away from an Enfield player who was just about to let fly with a shot at goal.  Lily parried away the ball from the resultant corner.  Blerta Berisha had joined the midfield on the left. 

The girls won a corner and Tori floated the ball into the area, once again however the ball was cleared away.  Enfield broke away and the girls were at full stretch, an Enfield player broke through the middle and Lily dashed out of goal, the player placed the ball round Lily and it was heading towards goal.  Just at the moment, Vicki, who had kept running, burst past everyone and cleared the certain goal away just in the nick of time. 

It was end to end stuff, with Hollie finding Lydia with a long ball.  Blerta made her skill tell when she danced down the left and floated a lovely cross into the box. There was a bit of a goal mouth scramble and Lydia couldn’t quite keep her shot down as it sailed over the crossbar. 

A very entertaining first half with honours even. 

The second half started with Blerta having a shot saved by the Enfield keeper who parried it off for a corner.  Alexa was once again battling in the middle and she produced a ball to Laura who broke through and her shot was well held by the keeper.  Still Enfield were breaking out and Nina Pontes got stuck in the middle of the park to stop their advance.  Their girls were putting Enfield under pressure as Lydia broke away up front and she passed to Nina, who drilled the ball to Bobbi whose shot went wide of the mark.  The opposition however were having their own chances as Lily held a well struck shot. 

Spurs bombed up the other end and Tori crossed to Bobbi in the middle, who couldn’t quite get her shot away this time.  Blerta had a long range shot which wasn’t far away.  Once again Saskia delivered some brilliant defending on the left and Lily dashed out of goal a few moments later to retrieve a ball before the opposition could get to it. 

Tianna and Saskia were tidying up at the back, as Enfield tried to break through.  Tottenham pushed out once again and Blerta had a long range shot on the left.  The keeper dropped the ball above her head and scooped the ball out of the goal, a few people thought the ball had crossed the line, but neither the linesman nor the referee gave it and without any fuss the game carried on. 

Tottenham continued to attack the Enfield goal and unfortunately there was a clash between Nina and the Enfield keeper, which was totally accidental, but it saw both players having to be carried off the pitch.  We all wish both girls a swift recovery. 

Lily was called upon to make a save at the other end and Tianna cleared the ball out once again.  Enfield were pushing forward and had a couple of shots at goal which went wide of the mark, with the Spurs defenders breathing down their necks.  Vick, Becca and Tianna were all defending at the back, with Saskia, producing a solid silver performance.

The final whistle was blown and a great match came to an end.  This was a very entertaining match despite the lack of goals.  Both sides had battled hard and to be fair a draw was probably the right a fair result. 

Personally, I was impressed with how the girls had behaved on both sides; firm, but fair and it was also a pleasure to see both sets of supporters clapping both teams at the end.  The game, in my opinion, was certainly played in the right spirit and enjoyable as it should be. 

Everyone that took part played well, but with out a doubt the player of the match was Saskia who had battled and never gave an inch throughout the whole game.  Not much of a rest girls before the next match on Wednesday. 

Well done, I have just looked in the mirror and realised how strong the sun was as a red face is looking back !!

DAVID WATSON

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The girls started brightly with Vicki Blake clearing the ball up field to Tori Tripp who was looking for space on the right.  Within a minute Becca Dowling had pushed up from right back and struck a long ball towards goal, it bounced just before the keeper and given the hard ground it sailed over the keeper's head to make it 1-0.  Spurs once again through Vicki delivered a long ball to Tori whose shot was blocked for a corner.  The girls have been practising their set plays of late and Tori curled a beautiful ball into the box, which Nina Pontes didn’t hesitate to smash into the back of the net and make it 2-0 after just three minutes. 

Charlotte McLucas was looking for Lydia Maher in the middle of the park with a good pass. Alexa Rangecroft was also in fine form crossing a ball out to Lydia who had a shot at goal, which the keeper parried away but Tori, was on the ball in a flash and buried it in the back of the net to make it 3-0 after five minutes. Alexa now had a shot herself saved by the keeper and the girls were putting Lea Valley under all sorts of pressure with Nina passing to Lydia who flicked the ball onto Tori and once again the ball ended up in the back of the net to make it 4-0. 

Lea Valley are a good side and Tianna Carrington cleared up a long ball, with Lily Tyrimos also coming out to intercept a pass through the defence. Once again Tianna was called upon to clear the ball and didn’t disappoint, with Saskia Collins also stepping in on the left to clear the danger away. 

Becca was looking to find Alexa in the middle of the park as the girls pushed forward. Vicki remained strong at the back heading the ball away and Lily held and long range shot well. 

Hollie Watson who had come on for Becca had a long range shot herself, which went wide of the mark on this occasion. Blerta Berisha had joined the party on the left and was soon showing off her pace and skill on the ball. Spurs however couldn’t relax as Vicki was again cleared away a dangerous attack and a Lea Valley player smashed the ball over the bar from a corner. 

Tottenham won themselves a corner and Tori found Bobbi Cubberley whose shot just went a little wide and high. However a few minutes later and the girls teamed up again with Tori delivering a cross to Bobbi who made no mistake and buried the ball in the back of the net after 25 minutes to make it 5-0. 

Tottenham broke away down the left and Blerta showed what a tricky customer she is as she beat a couple of players and drilled the ball in the bottom left hand corner of the goal to make it 6-0. 

Still Lea Valley didn’t give up and Charlotte cleared the ball away well with Vicki heading the ball away from danger. Tianna was pushing up and she had two shots at goal which were brilliantly saved by the Lea Valley keeper to deny Tianna this time round. Becca had come back on and was also defending very well. Charlotte floated the ball out to Bobbi who pushed it onto Lydia and she was tackled at the last minute before unleashing a shot at goal. 

The second half started with Alexa and Charlotte battling away in the middle of the park. Tianna had a long range shot at goal which was saved but the ball spun out to Lydia who charged down the ball and Blerta finished off the move to make it 7-0 after 38 minutes. 

Spurs still needed to keep their wits about them with Hollie defending well at the back. A few moments later and Becca produced a good header at the back, with Hollie having a strong shot at goal, with her left foot which just whistled wide of the mark from about 30 yards out. 

Blerta and Shoshana Field were battling up the front after a good through ball. Once again however the defence of Becca and Tianna held firm, with Hollie and Becca also cutting out some long balls from Lea Valley. Lily was also called upon to smother a ball that flew into the penalty area. 

Down the other end and Nina headed the ball onto Tori whose shot was well saved. Hollie delivered a great long ball to the feet of Blerta. Tori was also charging down the right and had a shot which just whistled across the face of the goal. 

Lea Valley to be fair didn’t give up and were rewarded when a long range shot was very unusually fumbled by Lily and one of the Lea Valley strikers pounced on the spill to make it 7-1.   

The girls however weren’t finished themselves and Hollie produced a long ball which Bobbi very nearly got on the end of.  The ball swung down the other end and Lily produced a monster kick out, which found Tori, who then ran at full tilt, beat a couple of players and stroked the ball sweetly in the back of the net to score her hat trick and make it 8-1. 

Spurs were pushing forward more and more, with Tori finding Bobbi, whose shot smashed off the cross bar, the rebound, came out to Blerta whose shot just sailed over the crossbar.  Nina also got in the act a few minutes later and her shot was well saved.  Hollie showed her speed and strength by charging back from a break away move and held up the attacker to stop further advancement.  Becca was also very determined at the back and cut out a crucial move at the back. 

Lea Valley however managed to develop another attack, pushing Becca off the ball and delivering a strong shot which beat Lily to make it 8-2 with about three minutes left on the clock.  Saskia was called upon to undertake some defending and the next minute was up the other end having her shot well saved.    

Once again the girls had produced a super performance and it was very much a full team effort which sees the girls reaching their second final of the season.  Well done girls; a brilliant show of speed, skill and determination.    

DAVID WATSON

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The sunshine was already strong and the weather very warm for the time of year. The grass the week before was long, but this week it had shot up even further and obviously the Council hadn’t found their lawn mower, probably lost in the long grass somewhere !!  Indeed, one of the Dad’s on the adjacent pitch had brought his own strimmer (no kidding) and was doing his best to cut through the grass before their match kicked off !!

Anyway, the match got underway and the girls knew that they were going to face a tougher test than the week before, as Lea Valley were playing for pride.  Tianna Carrington cleared the ball away at the back and Nina Pontes was looking to penetrate up front.  Vicki Blake was holding the centre of the park well and Alexa Rangecroft was looking for the long ball forward.  Spurs were awarded a free kick and Bobbi Cubberley who tried to find Lydia Maher and Nina, but the defence cleared it away.  A moment later and Bobbi had a shot which was held by the keeper. 

Vicki and Tianna were strong at the back and Vicki delivered a great ball through to Lydia, whose shot was held by the keeper.  The girls won a corner and Nina’s resultant header was saved by the keeper.  Becca Dowling was battling away down the right hand side of defence, which wasn’t easy considering she had a damaged wrist. Eventually after 10 minutes she was replaced by Shoshana Field.

Bobbi delivered a great through ball to Nina who ran onto it and unfortunately she blasted her shot over the bar.  A moment later, Nina passed the ball to Alexa, who drilled it to Tori, who ran on down the right, which wasn’t easy given the grass and her shot bounced off the right hand post and out again.  You just got the feeling then, that it was going to be one of those days for the attackers. 

Tori had another shot at goal and it went wide of the mark.  The breakthrough finally came after 20 minutes when Amy Woff  passed to Nina who pushed it out to Tori on the right, who smashed the ball home to make it 1-0.  It was like buses, when the second goal came 30 seconds later as Alexa delivered a long pass to Nina, who ran on and the keeper crunched into her, the ball spun out and Amy drilled it into the back of the net to make it 2-0.  

Still Lea Valley didn’t give up and Tianna had to block off a run at the back.  Saskia Collins was stepping up well on the left, with Charlotte McLucas heading the ball bravely away from an opposition player’s foot. 

Alexa delivered a lovely ball forward to Tori and her shot whistled over the bar.  Lily Tyrimos made a very brave save when a Lea Valley player broke through the defence and pushed a ball forward.  Lily dived onto the ball, with two Lea Valley attackers diving in at the same time, but she managed to hold onto the ball. 

There was a good move towards the end of the first half with Nina passing to Amy who drilled it to Tori and her shot went wide once again.  Tianna also produced a long clearance which found Tori and she was just beaten to the ball by the keeper. 

Both sides took on plenty of water and the game started again. This time the first chance fell to Lea Valley and Lily managed to stop the shot.  Nina found Charlotte in the middle, who passed the ball to Tori, who was just tackled by the last defender.  Tianna produced another long range kick for Nina to run onto, but the keeper just got there first.  To be honest the long grass wasn’t doing either side any favours as it was very difficult to pass or run with the ball on the ground. 

The girls were awarded another free kick just outside the box, which Alexa struck firmly but was well held by the keeper.  Nina then broke through and had a shot which was goal bound, but the Lea Valley keeper stuck out her foot and saved a certain goal.  Tori then went on a great run through the middle and was goal bound when the ball just got stuck in the long grass and her forward momentum ground to a halt.  Alexa was very strong in the middle of the park and she with Becca were defending well when needed. 

Alexa looked to get another long ball through to Tori which was cut out.  Lea Valley still pushed forward and Tianna cut out a deadly ball at the back.  Lea Valley had a shot a moment later which whistled over the bar.  Lily also was called upon to rush out of her goal and collect a long range pass.  The girls were now weathering a storm from Lea Valley as Becca passed out to Tori, who pushed the ball to Alexa, who then found Amy and the keeper once again saved the shot.  Another long ball from Becca found Tori, who had switched back to the right and the keeper saved it.  A moment later and a shot from Tori just went wide.  Laura Newby was looking to create some space out on the left. 

There was a big shout for a handball in the box, but the referee didn’t give it and play continued.  Spurs had started to get back on top once again and Bobbi had a shot which went wide of the mark.  Lydia then broke free on the left and was heading towards goal, when once again the pitch played a part and she couldn’t get her shot away, but Bobbi chased after the loose ball and tried to float it back into the penalty area looking to find Nina. 

Vicki remained solid at the back with Saskia and Spurs continued to press forward with Tori having another shot which went wide of the mark.  Bobbi produced a long ball for Lydia to run onto and she was just denied.  Amy found Tori and her shot went over the top. 

Saskia and Vicki combined once again to hold the defence line strong.  Amy found Bobbi with a great through ball and Bobbi was one on one with the keeper, unfortunately as has happened previously on these occasions the keeper seems to have magnetic powers, which guide the ball directly to her, which happened again and she saved the shot.  The girls were all over Lea Valley and Tori had another shot which went wide of the mark.  However, Spurs weren’t quite finished and Amy found Tori, who found Bobbi, who blasted the ball from about 15 yards out into the back of the net to make it 3-0 just before the final whistle. 

The pitch conditions and weather hadn’t made it easy for the girls, but of course Lea Valley had to battle the same problems, however they came through the test and delivered another three points towards the League title. 

Player of the match went to Alexa, who had really battled away in the middle of defence and delivered some excellent balls forward, as well as defending when necessary.  Hopefully the girls shooting will be back on target when they play their last League Match of the season on Tuesday night.  

Well done girls, have a good rest.  

DAVID WATSON

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DAVID WATSON

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DAVID WATSON

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