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Today saw the Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
U13 Blues step into unknown territory playing a year up in The Essex
County Girls League.
With a pre-season changeover of
managers and new girls added to our already talented squad, everyone
waited for the season to start with anticipation and maybe some
nervousness after what can only be described as a dubious pre-season.
We found ourselves at Fred Knights on
what was turning into a beautiful sunny afternoon to start our season
against Tigers Yellow Socks Under-13s. Spurs had all eleven
players available today, although Isabel Philips found herself with a
bouncy castle injury prior to her arrival, so came ready to step up if
needed, but more to show her support.
So the first whistle of the season was
upon us and Spurs took control of the game straight from the off.
Shernelle Francois, Maisie Ryan and stand in defender Taylor Stapleton
steadfast as the defensive trio, Sydney Fairs and Summer Jordan superb
in the centre of the park, Tegan Burling and Shania Mogridge flying on
the wings and Mia Farrell waiting to pounce upfront. Throughout the
first half the girls in White went close on numerous occasions and only
missed chances and hard work by Tigers defence and goalie kept the
scores all level. Halfway through the half Mia made way for Kally-Ann
Westgarth to try a fresh approach upfront but rued chances found the
half finish honours even 0-0.
Tottenham started the second half with
the bit between their teeth, on too many occasions to count Tegan flew
down the right wing leading her marker a merry dance putting pass after
pass into the box waiting for Kally-Ann, Summer or Shania to stick a
foot on the end of it which on nine out of ten occasions they did still
to no avail, was it going to be one of those days. The breakthrough
finally came 10 minutes into the half when after what seemed like a five
minute scrum in our oppositions box Shania found some space and slotted
into the net 1-0. "Whoo hoo" was the cry from the Tottenham fans.
Tigers pressed a couple of times but
any danger was neatly swept up by the Spurs defence and Lillian Irvine
our indispensible goalie, who has taken to the 9-a-side goals like a
duck to water.
The final whistle blew after which
seemed like the longest game in history and the 1-0 score didn't really
reflect the whole story although credit must go to Tigers who defended
well throughout the entire game.
The best thing to come out of today's
game was that the girls played as a unit and we also saw some great
little partnerships being formed, Tegan and Shernelle's link up play
down the right flank and Syd and Summer becoming an unbeatable pairing
in the centre. All the girls gave 100% and it showed.
Player of the match was a close call
today but after much deliberation Manager Mike Mogridge and coach Mark
Fairs choose Tegan Burling for her outstanding contribution on the wing.
Well done to all the team it looks like
being a very interesting and exciting season and lastly but not least
would like to wish departing coach Dee Gilbert good luck at Uni, you
will be missed very much.
Joanna
Fairs
THLFC : -
Lillian Irvine,
Shernelle Francois, Maisie Ryan, Taylor Stapleton, Sydney Fairs, Summer
Jordan, Tegan Burling, Shania Mogridge, Kally-Ann Westgarth, Mia Farrell |