qpr  v  headstone manor  -   match postponed

With the resignation of the previous manager the Tottenham girls played  this match under the managership of Clive Bassett, taking charge on the day.  Five of the squad were absent, mainly due to illness and some of those that did play were under the weather.

With only eleven players available, there would be no substitutes, and the kick off was delayed for 30 minutes due to a frosty pitch.  Stand-in goalkeeper was Lucy Edwards. With the absences, the defensive duo of Kathleen Jackson and Dot Penders were reinforced by two experienced players Alison Woodward and Melody Jones.  Xelia Mendes-Jones, Samantha Delves, Helena Scotland and Jade O'Brien made up the midfield four, with Shanai Jackson and Rayian Brown in the attack.  All the first half the play was fairly even, with equal possession, corners and suchlike.

Highlights of this half were several speedy run down the right wing by Helena resulting in some dangerous centres. Ray did break away twice, but her speed could not penetrate the home defence.  Perhaps the best chance of the game was given to Xelia from a corner by Sam but her effort went over the bar.  There were however near misses at both ends but the strong Spurs defence meant that Lucy was not called upon for agile saves.

0-0 at half time and in the second half the visitors probably had slightly more of the game than the much improved home team.  Even so Dot, Mel and Kathleen were called upon to make last ditch clearances. The midfield were pushing up field in front of the well organised defence and all the defenders were laying on accurate passes which Sam and Helena were able to collect and use.  On the hour Jade was injured but carried on playing energetically.  Spurs were still being penalised for foul throws and the occasional off side but generally kept up the pressure, with Mel and Xelia making good ball distribution.

Exceptional incidents as the match wore on included a clever run through the middle and shot on goal by Helena and several well placed corners by Sam. Ray and Shanai could not make much headway near the home goal.  Near the end there was a flurry of attacking play, to no avail, but Lucy had played competently making no mistakes.  Ally had  directed the play intelligently shaking off minor injuries, as also did several others.  Generally the defences were in control

The match ended goalless and as Ray and Shanai said, "The team played well but could have done even better." (and repeated their earlier win, it could be added).  Manager Clive Basset add that "Given the adverse circumstances and ill health, with players in unfamiliar positions, it was a reasonable performance, if not a pretty one.  And we kept a clean sheet !" 

Clive considered Sam had played well but nominated Helena as Player of the Match for an outstanding game.

alan woodward

hemel hempstead  0     enfield town  2    
denham united  1     harvesters  1    
cheshunt youth  v  qpr  - match postponed  

denham united  -     cheshunt youth  -    
headstone manor  v  harvesters  -   match postponed 

After a long break due to frozen pitches, the THLFC Under-13s resumed the league programme with some absences,  against a team in the bottom half of the League table, but one who nonetheless put up a vigorous performance against the odds to the final whistle.  Highlights of the match for Tottenham were creditable performances for the stand-in goalkeepers, a typically thorough game from Kathleen Jackson in defence and a hat trick of goals for Alison Woodward. 

Substitutes at the start were Naomi Coulson, Shanai Jackson, Rayian Brown, Alison Woodward and Hannah Fenton Burgess [14].  Unfortunately, Rhiannon Bassett was not able to take part as she was still on crutches.

Spurs began in top gear and it was not long before Melody Jones, getting a centre from Helena Scotland, put the ball in the net, in off the post.  Next Ally marked up two goals after crosses from Hannah and Ray.  Xelia Mendes-Jones had a constructive partnership with the goal scorer, exchanging passes well.  There were shots on goal from Georgia Miller, Mel and Helena, who made several attempts and was unlucky to have one powerful shot in particular defected round the post.   Helena was also the provider of some dangerous corners kicks.

In the midfield Shakira Waithe  was cutting off the visitors attacks before they got under way and sending passes down the middle.   Xelia played energetically, linking up well with Georgia.

The core of the defence was Yasmin Roudsari, Kathleen and Dot Penders who nearly always saved goalie Jade  O'Brien much work.  New girl Ellie May Goodey played both forward and defender and soon found her form.

At the half time it was 3-0 and the manager had experimented with all the players.  When play resumed, Lucy Edwards switched goalkeeping roles with Jade and was in for a busier game.

More goals soon arrived.  First Ray put the ball in the net after five minutes, then Ally notched up her third with a  clever shot over the keeper, after another of Helena's tricky corners.  By now the passing sequences were starting to improve the game overall.  One move in particular involved Naomi, Mel, Jade and Helena and was an outstanding example of its kind.   Jade finally made it 6-0.

As the match entered the last quarter Cheshunt mounted something of a rally and won a penalty.  However Lucy was up to the task and saved it brilliantly.  Shortly after that the visitors did get a consolation goal, but almost immediately  Jade served up a reply with a last goal, after Georgia hit the bar.   Nobody had tried harder than Georgia, but her
efforts went round both posts and over the top in equal numbers.

It should also be recorded that Shanai Jackson also went close on three occasions and Helena finished as strongly as she started with both centres and corners.  She was unfortunate not to score, as was Georgia.

The game ended at 7-1, with Spurs having probably a majority of the play.

The parents et al selected Ally as Player of the Match for the scoring total and Hannah commented, "It was my first match and I think I played quite well, as did the team".  

General Manager Glenn Weaver said, "It was a pleasing performance and it was good to see the moves Dave Rose had practised with them in training  being used in the game.  The overlapping moves for example were very effective."

 

alan woodward

enfield town  1     hemel hempstead  0    

denham united  6     cheshunt youth  0    
qpr  3     enfield town  1    

The game was played on ground marked out to be the intended third runway for Heathrow airport, on a sunny day, but the polar wind chilled the temperature down to about zero. This was the coldest weather this reporter can recall for decades.

Rhiannon Bassett and Alison Woodward suffered damaged leg and arms respectively and there were several other absences. In Ally's absence, Helena Scotland was captain.

Yasmin Roudsari was stand-in goalkeeper for Tottenham and after a shaky start, performed bravely and cleverly.   In the first half, QPR scored after five and ten minutes, both after defensive errors.  The Spurs back four of Melody Jones, Dot Penders, Naomi Coulson and Xelia Mendes-Jones soon found their form and kept the opposing forwards under control.   Mel made two crucial tackles preventing goal chances being taken and was helped off injured after one of them.  Dot also played an excellent game in both halves and Naomi marshalled the formation with repeated interventions.  Xelia tended to link up directly with the midfield and push forward.

Samantha Delves was the key player in midfield and displayed the energy we have come to be associated with her.  She made a number of important runs and always went back if the ball was taken away.  Combinations of Sam with Helena and Georgia Miller provided the bulk of the Spurs game in the middle.   Even so all three players had shots on goal that tested the keeper.  Ellie May Goodey was also active as a midfield link, making numerous useful passes.

In the attack, Hannah Fenton Burgess acted as the central player.  In particular she did a series of foraging runs,  exchanging passes with Georgia and Sam to reach the opposing penalty area.  Shanai Jackson and Rayian Brown  attempted a number of solo runs at the QPR defence but this was too well organised, Jade O'Brien worked very hard, passing, running and had three good shots on goal.

The score was 2-0 at half-time and the home team were to add two more goals in the second half, despite several good saves by Yasmin.  The run of play gave Spurs an equal number of chances.  Highlight of this half included   Hannah and Georgia continuing to penetrate the defences with wall passes;  Sam sending over several high corners that caused panic in the goalmouth; Dot and Xelia pulling off important defensive challenges; Mel still running despite her injury and Helena tackling her way into advantageous positions.  She also got a kick in the ankle.

In defence, Naomi and Xelia stopped the continuous attacks of the west Londoners with strenuous interventions.  At the final whistle QPR, who were the better team, had got their win, but the score was deceptive.  Spurs had about the same number of corners and shared much of the play, with Ray and Shanai still probing.

Yasmin was voted by the parents as Player of the Match and was presented with her badge/key ring.  Dot commented that the team had played well and should have got on the score sheet.  Coach Dave Jones said the girls had tried to play football, lots of passing, despite the difficult conditions and deserved a better result.  It seems appropriate to congratulate the players, managers, parents and supporters, as well as the officials, for persevering in the Arctic wind.

alan woodward

enfield town  6     headstone manor  0    

qpr  3     harpenden  0    

all other ties postponed

With the return of milder weather, the team can expect to resume regular matches, unlike the pattern of the past two months, and hopefully re-gain the level of their previous performances.  Substitutes at the start were Shanai Jackson, Rhiannon Bassett and Jade O'Brien.

Spurs nearly began in a grand manner with Melody Jones hitting the bar right at the start, but the match was pretty even in this period.  Soon after Georgia Miller was making one of her usual runs down the wing, but she was tripped before she could centre. Ellie May Goodey was combining well with Helena Scotland who was already covering a lot of ground to create chances.  Shanai Jackson came on and pushed the game forward.

In midfield, Shakira Waithe, captain for the match, was making many useful interventions and trying to pass the ball forward.  In defence Yasmin Roudsari, Dot Penders, Xelia Mendes-Jones and Rhiannon Bassett,  with Naomi Coulson, were holding their own with Dot assuming the role of last defender to clear the lines as play went from end to end.

The game developed in this manner, with Georgia exchanging passes with Rayian Brown and Ellie.  Jade O'Brien had a shot on goal as did Helena and Ray but to no avail.  Near the end of the half, tragedy struck when
a Hemel attacker's shot, going wide, was accidentally deflected in by a Spurs player, giving the keeper no chance.  So the score at half time was 0-1.

In the second session, Spurs mounted a sustained attack and for a long time kept the visitors pinned down in their own half.  Helena delivered several dangerous centres both from corners and after speedy runs down the wing.  During this period the forwards had several chances but could not crack the opposing defence.  Jade was put through but shot straight at the keeper.  Ray could not find the goal and Shanai was equally unlucky.

Georgia was now emerging as a key midfield player, sending several through passes to the penalty area.  Her own runs down the wing were constantly blocked but she did combine with Xelia and Mel to start attacks.

The Spurs defence had a tight hold on the Hemel players, giving the keeper little to do.  Rhiannon kept running despite an injury which also affected Xelia, Yasmin and Naomi did as well as expected, with Dot keeping the structure organised. Shakira was as forceful as ever in the middle.

However the team as a whole were not functioning well, with silly mistakes like foul throws resulting in lost possession.  The passing sequences also were just not happening often enough and the game concluded with the home team unable to get the equalising goal.   Spurs were ahead on possession and corners, but not goals .

Afterwards, Clive Bassett presented the parents Player of the Match Award to Helena, who had shown great energy and perseverance.  Naomi commented, "We played just as well as the other side, but could not finish
the moves off."  Jade added, " We deserved a goal at least."  

Coach Dave Jones said, "The team was good in patches, but there's still a lot to do.  We have a big match next week [in the cup against Denham] and need to be at our best."

alan woodward

denham united  1     qpr  6    
cheshunt youth  0     headstone manor  4    

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Under-13s bounced back from a mediocre performance last week to win an exiting cup match that was probable the best contest of the season so far. 

The team still had some absences, but played in a milder climate than recently and had the advantage of a home fixture.  Highlights of the match were a hat trick for Georgia Miller and some outstanding performances in the midfield.  Subs at the start were Rayian Brown, Shanai Jackson and Ellie May Goodey.

The home team dominated the first half and a series of shots on the goal was an indication of this.  Samantha  Delves and Melody Jones went close and both Helena Scotland and Xelia Mendes-Jones had long shots on target.  The passing movements were excellent and one involving Sam, Helena and Jade O'Brien stood out in particular.  Georgia finally opened the scoring with two goals, both the result of combination with Sam.  These came after 15 minutes and shortly before half time.

For the defence, stand-in keeper Yasmin repeated her previous reliable performance and both Dot Penders and Rhiannon Bassett distinguished themselves with crucial last ditch saves.  Naomi Coulson was also useful in blocking the Denham attack and in addition took the goal kicks with powerful balls to the midfield.

In that area, Shakira was displaying her usual energy, especially after Sam was slightly injured.  The team were all contributing, being first to the ball and running intelligently to receive passes, perhaps the results of moves on the training field.  Finally in this half, Mel was caught offside, but the score at half time was 2-0.

In the second session, Denham managed to break out from being pinned in their own half, but even so were lucky when a third Tottenham goal was disallowed.  The home team were however caught out with high balls down the middle and the visitors were first able to equalise then take the lead.  After this set back, Spurs applied themselves to again pile on the pressure.  Rayian Brown came on to replace Jade.

She soon managed to bring her team level with a strong solo goal into the corner of the net after 55 minutes.  The game was now more evenly balanced and play went from one end to the other, some times very quickly.  In one  move, Naomi cleared from the goal area, her pass went to Helena who was able to race speedily through the defence to send in a dangerous centre.

The pressure was kept up.  Mel was distributing passes at will and was once bundled over near the goal.  In defence Xelia and Dot were co-operating to keep the back line solid, Yasmin made some excellent saves and the defence was once again more secure.  Rhiannon went up field for some of the many corners that Helena was taking and ran back quickly afterwards.

In the last quarter, when extra time seemed inevitable, the Sam and Georgia partnership, after several near misses, at last managed to get the ball in the net for what was to be the winning goal.  But the game was not over yet.  Rayian got a pass in the middle and was able to make a powerful run to the opponent's goal, despite their protests.  Both sides made desperate efforts to clinch the match, with Mel and Sam still pushing forward at the final whistle.  Spurs probably had a slight majority of possession of the ball and a clear lead in corners achieved, but the game was closely contested.

Afterwards, Shakira and Sam were  elected to be Players of the Match.  Shanai, who like Ellie May had not come on, commented, "It was a hard match, but we played well and deserved to win."  Manager Glenn Weaver said, "Everyone in the team played well without exception.  The heading and the passing and so on has all improved a lot recently as a result of Dave Jones training and the prospects for the team are becoming clearer and better."
 

alan woodward

headstone manor  -    
enfield town  -    
cheshunt youth  -    
hemel hempstead  -    
qpr  -    
harvesters  -    

alan woodward

headstone manor  -    
enfield town  -    
denham united  -    
hemel hempstead  -    
qpr  -    
harvesters  -    

Spurs Ladies Under-13s played this match against a background of a excellent performances against stronger teams, but less well against the weaker ones.  It was a bright cloudless Spring day at the start and a raging pelting thunderstorm at the end, with a strong wind throughout.  The team was still hit by illness and injury, and had no substitutes to bring on.  Helena Scotland was again captain and Naomi Coulson  played in goal.

In the first half the play was just about even with Enfield perhaps shading it on possession.  Samantha Delves was dominating the play in the middle of the pitch and laying off some very useful passes while other midfield players, Helena and Georgia Miller were making powerful runs down the right and left respectively, Georgia was trying hard to get down the wing, but unusually found her way blocked in this session.  She did manage two long shots however and kept up the pressure.  On the other side Helena was regularly too speedy for the defence and able to send over series of centres.  She also took the corners to menace the Enfield goal.

The defensive section of Dot Penders, Shakira Waithe, Yasmin Roudsari and Ellie May Goodey were doing a brilliant job of containing the visitor's attack.  Ellie in particular soon got the measure of the opposing winger and forced her to go inside.  Yasmin had her best game so far and, like Dot, scarcely put a foot wrong.  Shakira,  playing much further back than she normally does, was extremely reliable in tackling and clearing.  Naomi was not called into action very often, but was very quick in getting to the hopeful forward passes Enfield were over-reliant
upon.

There were not many chances at this stage, but Rayian Brown, Melody Jones and Shanai Jackson did have some.  Mel was constructive with her short passes as well.  One interesting feature was the referee stopping the more aggressive shouting of some visiting supporters, but otherwise the game proceeded without incident.

The score was 0-0 at half time and at the re-start it was again end to end stuff.  Enfield were lucky to go ahead with a goal after 40 minutes, but this reverse seemed to drive Spurs to play up a gear.  The passing moves which had been adequate earlier on now became crucial.  Ellie was sending the ball forward and Sam was even more energetic, getting everywhere.  Virtually all the team were performing the moves they had practised in training and Shanai and Mel had chances on goal.

It was not long before the equaliser came.  Helena tried another long shot which hit the post and Georgia was able to score from the rebound.  Tottenham kept pressing on and Rayian chased a forward pass and harassed the keeper into a mis-kick, which she just failed to get to.  In a similar incident, Georgia was very unlucky to have her shot cleared off the line by a defender, having beaten the goalkeeper.

The defence was proving 100% effective.  Dot was kicking and heading as required, while both Yasmin and Mel  were injured, but played on.  Naomi was giving her usual brilliant performance reminding us of how well she played last time these teams met.  Her long goal kicks were a constant threat with the forwards running to receive them.

The home team consolidated its dominance now - Georgia was fit enough to start getting round the defence and it was from one of her efforts that Ray was able to make a well aimed lob to score what was to be the winning goal after 66 minutes.

The final minutes were played out with rising excitement.  In spite of all their best efforts, Enfield, one of the leading teams in the Division One of HCGFL Under-13 age group, were not able to crack the increasingly confident Spurs defence.  With a breakaway always on the agenda, from Sam and Helena in particular, the game ended on a high note. 

Spurs had double the number of corners and won the possession count in the second half.  This formation, without changes, did seem a good combination.

After the match, Ellie was voted Player of the Match for a much improved performance.   Mel echoed Georgia's comments of last week; "We battled well in midfield and deserved to win."

Coach Dave Rose commented, "The team played well, all of them.  We kept our shape and didn't rely on one tactic. The passing was superb."

alan woodward

headstone manor  -    
enfield town  -    
denham united  -    
cheshunt youth  -    
hemel hempstead  -    
qpr  -    
harvesters  -    

Spurs Ladies Under-13s came to this match with confidence after recent wins against leading League teams and  welcoming the return of Alison Woodward as captain.  It was also the first game for new goalkeeper Tahlia Wensley on a warm Spring day and the subs at the start were Kathleen Jackson, Rhiannon Bassett, Jade O'Brien and Alison Woodward.

The match began in a familiar way with Helena Scotland running quickly down her wing and getting past slower defenders.  Samantha Delves was again marshalling the midfield and getting an occasional shot on goal as well.  Melody Jones was also foraging forward and pressuring the opposition.

Spurs defensive players - Naomi Coulson, Ellie May Goodey, Yasmin Roudsari and Xelia Mendes-Jones - were comfortably keeping Headstone at bay and Tahlia was only called on once to even touch the ball.  Shakira Waithe was also playing back and sending passes to Helena and from one of these, the forward ran on and beat the keeper with a well placed kick after 10 minutes.

The next goal was a brilliant example of opportunist thinking by Georgia Miller.  She won the ball and fired in a long shot from outside the penalty box, catching the keeper unawares, after 20 minutes.  By now all the substitutes had been brought on and even Shakira from the midfield had a go at goal, as had the two front runners Melody and Shanai Jackson.

Before the half time whistle, Georgia had doubled her total when she seized on a poor goal kick out to run  forward and put the ball in the net.  Jade O'Brien chasing a high centre registered a near miss and Helena just missed after a spirited run down the right, one of many.  3-0 at half time as Spurs, though not at their best, had knocked up a good lead.

In the second half Tottenham increased the tempo and Headstone were pinned in their own area.  Ellie May was intercepting the ball and sending passes up-field.  Alison Woodward, faced with a packed defence, made several delicate lobs over defenders to create opportunities.  Spurs were now firmly in charge, but the visitors began to stage a come-back about half way through the session.

Mel, Georgia, Sam and Helena from the midfield  were all exchanging passes accurately and the last two players were crossing the ball for worrying centres.  The Headstone come-back continued and they were inspired by a well taken goal after 55 minutes.  Soon after, they had a chance to close up the scores when they were awarded a penalty after a strong tackle.  However, the shot went well over the bar and Tottenham resumed the attack with near misses for Sam, Georgia and Jade.

In the defence Kathleen made last ditch saves, as did Ellie May and Yasmin.  Naomi was required to head the ball forward on several occasions.  Keeper Tahlia had nothing to do for long periods, but when she did get the chance, she threw the ball to unmarked defenders.  Ally retired injured and the pace was tiring.

The temperature was getting hot and players were constantly being substituted.  Xelia was now up front and her running meant she was twice able to get through, though her last touch was not enough.  The passing sequences began to re-appear.  Kathleen made one really significant long kick to Georgia who ran on and just missed the goal with a strongly hit shot.  Shakira combined with those around here to begin movements as the near misses total mounted up.

It was 3-1 when the final whistle sounded.  Corners were evenly divided, Spurs had won most possession, though Headstone battled to the end.  After the match, Naomi and Yasmin agreed, "The team could have played better and we did get a bit sloppy at the end."  Coach Dave Rose said, "This match was a demonstration of work in progress.  There's still a lot to do."

alan woodward

headstone manor  -    
enfield town  -    
denham united  -    
cheshunt youth  -    
hemel hempstead  -    
qpr  -    
harvesters  -    

As they say on Sky it will be a Super Sunday !!

glen jones

headstone manor  -    
enfield town  -    
denham united  -    
cheshunt youth  -    
hemel hempstead  -    
qpr  -    
harvesters  -    

Shanai commented " This was a tiring and hard match.  We played quite well but  they took their chances and had the benefit of some lucky goals."

alan woodward

headstone manor  -    
enfield town  -    
denham united  -    
cheshunt youth  -    
hemel hempstead  -    
harvesters  -