Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC -

Under-14s reports 2003-04

Bonnie Cullinan’s two strikes took her total to 30 for the season and with the other two goals coming from Kelly Farace and Renee Johnson-Allen, Tottenham’s determined efforts paid off with the three points from their trip around the M25.

Hitchin Belles  9    Buntingford Cougars  0
St Albans Rangers  0      Harpenden  17

League Cup - Group B
Queens Park Rangers  1    Hemel Hempstead  1

It took Spurs a while to settle against a determined Buntingford side, who were first to a big percentage of balls in the opening half.  Twelve minutes had passed before Bonnie Cullinan opened the scoring, when she chipped the ball over the Cougars keeper following a great run along the right wing by Renee Johnson-Allen.

Rebecca Williams capitalised on a cross-shot from Kelly Farace in the 16th minute, turning the ball home as it sped across the six yard box to double the lead.  That was further extended in the next minute, as Bonnie took a pass on the edge of the area, turned away from her marker and hit a low left footed shot just inside the post for 3-0.  

The score was taken to 4-0 when a deflection took a Bonnie Cullinan shot past the goalie, but Spurs were still not playing fluently.  Despite this, five minutes before the break, Charmaine Goodwin took a shot from six yards out which rebounded across the goal and out after hitting the post.

Some wise words from manager Alex Fearon and coach Gill Blackmore emphasised the need for the girls to use the short pass to maintain possession and open up the opposition.  This was put into practice ina  much improved second half performance.

A neat pass caused Lizzie Lodge to seize on a loose ball as she broke into the penalty box and thumped home Tottenham's fifth in the 13th minute of the second half, which became six a minute after, when a right wing corner dropped to Kelly Farace to crash the ball into the net.

Bonnie Cullinan became provider in the second half, when her 57th minute corner caused panic in the Buntingford defence, who tried to clear, but saw the ball bounce off Charmaine Goodwin, who was blocking the clearance and rebound back past the helpless keeper.  The score-line became 8-0 in the 59th minute, as a very fluent passing move saw the ball flow through Lizzie De Asha to Renee Johnson-Allen on the left wing. She exchanged passes with Bonnie and then played a cross into the far post, where Samantha garner arrived to score her first goal for the club.

Two identical goals in two minutes late in the game rounded off the scoring and provided some pleasure as they came straight from the training ground.  Left wing corners by Bonnie in the 74th and 76th minutes were both met by the head of Renee to find the net and make the final score 10-0.

To Buntingford's credit, they never gave up and had some good individual performances, but following the half-time interval, Spurs finally got their passing game into gear and finished well to seal a convincing win. 

Denham United  1    Hemel Hempstead  1
Harpenden  8    Northwood  1

After extra time - score 2-2 at full time

QPR started brightly and were two goals up in the first 30 minutes, but just before the break Bonnie Cullinan struck home a 25 yard free-kick to draw the arrears to one. 

Spurs come out in the second half with all guns blazing and drew level when captain Lillie Chapman scored from a Bonnie Cullinan corner.  Spurs were unlucky not to have edged ahead with minutes to go, but the 100% effort from all the Spurs players told in the extra-time period, when QPR scored three quick goals. 

Every Spurs player deserves full credit for their efforts against a QPR side unbeaten this season.

It was a fantastic match with both teams very up for it.

Spurs put the pressure on from the word go and two early drives from Bonnie Cullinan narrowly missed the target.  QPR didn't know what had hit them and Spurs looked very dangerous through midfield with some fast forward attacking football.  The defence had to be alert and strong with the game rushing from one end to the other.  The deadlock was eventually broken with a QPR goal midway through the first half, but this made Spurs even more determined. 

Some ten minutes later, a panic hand ball by QPR 25 yards from their goal gave Spurs the chance to draw level.  Up stepped Bonnie, who with a great left foot curling shot, lifted the ball over the defensive wall and into the top left hand corner of the net.  The goalie could only get fingertips to a fantastic goal that lifted both the team and the travelling supporters to increase their excited expectations.  As the half drew towards a close QPR stole another goal.  With the score 2-1 at half time, Alex the manager was heard to say that there was only one team who should be ahead at half time. 

The second half carried on as the first left off with Lauren Wedderburn, Emma Marshall and Rochelle Alexandra having plenty to do to shop some sharp attacks.  The midfield lead by captain Lillie Chapman ran tirelessly in support.  The team spirit and effort again paid off with a long cross falling to Lillie just outside the six yard box and she blasted it in the back of the net with determination.  Both teams had a couple of chances towards the end of full time as the 70 degree sunshine and a full 90 minute commitment started to open the game up at both ends as the referee blew for full time.  

Another 15 minutes each way of extra time finally got the better of a Spurs team who had given their all.  A fantastic reaction save by Spurs keeper Becky Williams kept the score at 5-2 after three QPR goals in extra time had given them the upper hand finally. 

The team played one of their best games of the season with the final score not a true reflection of the game. Both the manager Alex and the team supporters were very proud of everyone's outstanding performance.

 
Neil Marshall

LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL
Denham United  -    Hemel Hempstead  -

QPR started brightly and were two goals up in the first 30 minutes, but just before the break Bonnie Cullinan struck home a 25 yard free-kick to draw the arrears to one. 

Spurs come out in the second half with all guns blazing and drew level when captain Lillie Chapman scored from a Bonnie Cullinan corner.  Spurs were unlucky not to have edged ahead with minutes to go, but the 100% effort from all the Spurs players told in the extra-time period, when QPR scored three quick goals. 

Every Spurs player deserves full credit for their efforts against a QPR side unbeaten this season.