"When the blast of war blows in our ears,
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard favoured rage." 

The words of the bard, the actions of a determined group of girls.  A big thank you to Gerry McLucas for supplying back up, with Charlotte McLucas and Shoshana Field making up the full quota for the first period.

Shoshana battled up front against a stiff breeze and Charlotte penetrated down the right with forceful, rapid bursts of pace.  Without their contributions Spurs may not have got to half time only a single goal behind.  Peterborough were a very good under 14 team, with technically skilful players operating in a solid formation, they looked to play football in the right way with a lot of credit going to the coach assembling such a strong squad. 

The home side dominated the first half with Spurs trying to play the ball out of defence with no joy and subsequently dropping deeper into their own half conceding a plethora of corners which eventually led to the opening goal.  As the ball came to the edge of the area it dropped to a Peterborough midfielder who placed it in the bottom left hand corner 1-0.  Kitty in goal, came off her line mopping up through balls throughout the half.  Being more dominant in the air and on the ground, frustrating the Posh's constant attacks.  

At half time Charlotte and Shoshana were replaced by Sophie Gardner, so 10 player Spurs with the wind behind them and 1-0 down were left with one option; to do and to dare.  Holding a higher line and competing in midfield they succeeded in playing more of the match in the opposition half, yet when under attack Poppy, Jenny, Georgia and a hobbling Evie fought for every ball, never abdicating responsibilities and always covering their mates.  Emma Lee, Maddie and Emma T got more into the game playing in a midfield four, working tirelessly and admirably for the team while feeding Sophie with sharp defence splitting passes.  Her pace was Tottenham's secret weapon, beating the defence in races and scoring with composure three times for a sizzling hat trick that took every spectator's mind off the adverse weather.  The fourth goal came from a corner, swung in and put over the line for an unlucky own goal.

Peterborough were not finished and came back scoring from another corner after a goal mouth scramble and with a minute and a half to go they got a third after a slight hesitation from Kitty.  Tottenham saw out the remaining minutes for a thoroughly satisfying victory in an even contest.  

Now a few words about our guest player from Toronto Canada, Rio Speller-Drews, a lovely girl who mixed with the team comfortably and was superb in central midfield, covering all the pitch and coming close in the first half with a fine run and shot.  She wore the Spurs shirt with pride and distinction.  Chris, her dad, can be very proud of her and we at Tottenham Ladies would welcome them back any time. 

Again, I must thank Kelly and all at Peterborough for their hospitality and organisation.  Also for the hardy parents who came along giving Ray Mears some tips on surviving extreme weather.  Emma T's dad for running the line and a very good display by the ref.  

Thank you to Glenn Weaver for arranging the game. Thank you to Tara's dad for running the line.

As last week, it took a few minutes for the team to get into gear, with Brentford shutting down play quickly. Natasha Smits and Jenny Hunnable made decisive tackles and interceptions with incredible bravery; Emma Tammaro, ably deputizing for Kitty, showed safe handling and quick distribution to set up play using attacking full backs Poppy Bennett and Christie Page. 

The breakthrough come on 15 minutes with Maya Vio finishing off neat short passing to make it 1-0.  Spurs then increased the tempo with Izzie Rueben-Crompton and Rachel Hands combining offensively and defensively and dictating play.  The second came after a corner was cleared into Poppy's path, who teed up a cracking shot, which the Brentford keeper valiantly, but unsuccessfully tried to palm over.  Spurs' patient passing was improving as the match progressed, with Tara hitting the post on 30 minutes and then delicately converting a pin-point Evie Rose cross two minutes later. 

Brentford came out after the interval with vigorous determination, but Tia Fogarty came close twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The fourth goal again came through link up play and resulted in Rachel's pile driver being saved by the keeper, but Maya's goal poaching expertise in following up a shot made it 4-0. 

Maddie Sollof moved from the right of midfield to the centre with immediate effect, going close and brilliantly finishing off a move that involved Emma T's throw to Izzie, Izzie back to Evie at right back, Evies return to Izzie, first time pass to Tia on the right, square pass to Maya, who laid the ball into Maddie's path. 

This was a thoroughly enjoyable Spurs performance for the spectators and if the team are willing to continue to learn and progress hopefully not the last.  Thank you to Maddie and Izzie's dads for running the line.

Player of the match goes to Izzie and Emma T.