garston ladies u14	1
tottenham hotspur ladies u14	4

tottenham hotspur ladies u14	4
crawley green u14	1

enfield town u14	0
tottenham hotspur ladies u14	5

crystal palace u14	3
tottenham hotspur ladies u14	1

What a match, it had it all, goals, a stoppage time penalty, enough stoppage time to bring a smile to even Alex Ferguson, controversial refereeing decisions and the Spurs manager and linesman being sent to the stands (well almost). 

Spurs U14s made the long trip to Beckenham, Kent to face Crystal Palace in the second leg of the London FA Under-14 Cup Final. Last week we were victorious by 4-0 and I said then that that wasn’t a true reflection on the game. This week it was much, much closer.  

On a very heavy, uneven pitch Spurs again found it hard to get going and the early exchanges saw Palace dominant, with more possession but without creating any clear cut chances. The intermediate size pitch was hampering Spurs’ ability to attack down the wings and the game began scrappy with both sides nervous in possession. With six minutes played Jodeane Smith had a strong shot from the edge of the 18 yard box miss the far post by a whisker. Ten minutes later came Spurs’ best chance of the first half when Jodeane was put through; only for the keeper to make an excellent save turning Jodeane’s shot wide of the far post. 

Palace continued to pressurise the Spurs back line but the back four remained resolute. However on 22 minutes Palace pressure finally paid off.  An excellent volley into the top corner giving the Spurs keeper no chance. 1-0 Palace. Five minutes later it was 2-0 to Palace.  A misunderstanding at the back with players slipping over left the Palace striker free to drive the ball past the keeper. Tension was beginning the mount (on the pitch and sidelines) and the half time whistle couldn’t t come quick enough.  This had been a poor Spurs performance, Palace were winning the first and second balls and were showing great desire and determination. That said other than the two goals Spurs keeper Sara Whale had been relatively untroubled. Palace had taken both their chances, Spurs hadn’t.   

In the second half Spurs began to assert their authority and show a harder physical presence. They were fighting for every ball and whilst the game wasn’t pretty both sides should be commended for their commitment.  With 20 minutes played Spurs scored.  Melody Jones was cynically taken out by a Palace defender on the edge of the box.  Hannah McWilliams took the resultant free kick and after a goal mouth scramble Jodeane scored another poachers goal from within the six yard box.  Spurs 1 Palace 2. 

With 35 minutes played, whistles began to ring out from the Spurs 12th man; however the fourth official indicated 10 minutes of stoppage time and with five minutes played Palace were awarded a controversial penalty.  Rhiannon Bassett was alleged to have taken out the Palace winger when it appeared that she got the ball and the initial challenge was outside the box.  Palace scored, but there was no time left to see any more goals. 

Final score Palace 3 Spurs 1 (Spurs win 5-3 on aggregate). 

So the first piece of silverware of the season has been won. Well done girls. Let’s hope there is more to come. Player of the match went to captain Naomi Coulson for an outstanding defensive display. Mention must also go the Tarjau Louis who was also excellent at the back. 

Spurs now go on to represent the London FA in the Tesco National Cup. 

We're on our way to Wembley, our knees have gone all trembley, come on you Spurs, come on you Spurs. 

  

tottenham hotspur ladies u14	4
crystal palace u14	0

Spurs U14s entertained Crystal Palace Ladies at Fred Knights in the First Leg of the London FA Under-14 Cup Final.  Crystal Palace are currently top of the Kent Girls League having won every match this season, whilst conceding only one goal.  They have also beaten us in the same competition for the last two years and have gone on to lift the trophy.  This promised to be a tough match.

 

On a heavy, uneven pitch Spurs found it hard to get going and the early exchanges saw Palace have more possession without creating any clear cut chances.  Understandably, given the long lay off, Spurs did not immediately find their passing rhythm.  However, on 15 minutes that all changed.  A 20 yard drive from Hannah McWilliams was too fierce for the keeper to hold and Helena Scotland followed up to slide the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to Spurs.

 

Five minutes later an almost identical goal came, this time a Hannah free kick from 25 yards was only partially saved with Helena again fastest to react and slide the ball home.  2-0 Spurs.

 

With 35 minutes played Spurs went 3-0 up when Helena ran past three Palace players, played a through ball to Jodeane Smith, who fired a great shot into the roof of the net.  Spurs went into the half time break 3-0 ahead, but this apparently comfortable score line didn’t tell the full story.  Palace had put the Spurs backline under pressure all the first half and in the latter part had brought a string of excellent saves from the Spurs keeper, Sarah Whale.

 

The second half was also very close.  Palace again started strongly and to their credit did not let their heads drop. They kept playing good football and showed the desire and determination of a team that are not used to losing. However, this desire was being matched and more by Spurs in every department.  Sarah Whale continued to look unbeatable, saving and holding onto a number of fierce shots and with 25 minutes played Jodeane scored her second with a poacher’s goal from within the six yard box and the final score was 4-0 to Spurs. 

 

This had been a great game, robust, determined, but played in a good spirit. An excellent performance from the entire squad, probably the best they have played this season. 

 

Player of the match went to keeper, Sarah Whale which shows how close a game this really was despite the score line.  A mention must also go to Helena Scotland, who had an outstanding game and went off injured early in the second half; we wish her a speedy recovery.  The second leg at Crystal Palace is next week and promises to be a great game. 

 

Very well done girls, but remember it’s only half time!

tottenham hotspur ladies u14	3
harvesters u14	0

After a six week period without a game, Spurs Ladies Under-14s entertained Harvesters at Fred Knights in the Home Counties Girls League today.  Harvesters were third in the HCGFL prior to today's match, and in the corresponding away fixture last month they were 3-1 winners. 

 

Despite this enforced break, and with a squad reduced to only 13 hit with four players unavailable through illness, the team put in a brilliant performance.

 

At half time it was 0-0 with very few chances for either side. In the second half Spurs took the lead through a great Hannah McWilliams strike to make it 1-0.   The second Spurs goal came from Jodeane Smith who showed great determination and desire to win the ball from the Harvesters central defence and put the ball in the net.  As full time approached Danni Albertsen made it 3-0 with a opportunist finish in the six yard box following a goal mouth scramble. Final score 3-0 to Spurs.

 

Under-14s Manager Russell Fairs said, 'This was an excellent performance from the entire squad.  In particular the central defence pairing of Shakira Waite and Naomi Coulson were outstanding against the strong and fast Harvesters centre forward.  Also Tarjau Louis who played right back for the first time was a revelation and Jodeane Smith as the lone striker constantly closed down and harassed the Harvesters back line. This result was well deserved and the performance really showed that what we have been working on in training is starting to be displayed in a game situation'. Very well done girls.

qpr u14	p
tottenham hotspur ladies u14	p

tottenham hotspur ladies u14	p
hemel hempstead u14	p

no game

tottenham hotspur ladies u14	5
headstone manor u14	0

Spurs U14s entertained Headstone Manor Ladies at Fred Knights in the Home Counties Girls League today. Headstone were 7th in the HCGL prior to today's match, a position which isn't an accurate reflection of their teams strength as there only losses this season were against the top 2 teams, QPR and Bedford Ladies, and they have played less games than any other team thus far.   

Despite the half term break Spurs had a full squad of 16 players.  Spurs started very strongly and within five minutes were 1-0 up.  After sustained Spurs pressure Danni Albertsen fired in a low shot from the edge of the box which the keeper was unable to reach.  Five minutes later its was 2-0 to Spurs as Hannah McWilliams and Jade O'Brien combined with a short corner and the ball was eventually laid back to Hannah, who lifted the ball over the keeper into the top right hand corner.  Spurs made it 3-0 after 23 mins when a Jodeane Smith shot was only partially saved by the keeper, Helena Scotland followed in and after a scramble with the keeper showed great determination to scoop the ball, whilst on the floor, into the empty net. 5 mins before half time Helena scored her 2nd and Spurs' 4th with a low drive from the left hand corner of the box. Half time 4-0 to Spurs.   

The second half was a more even affair. Headstone noticeably improved on their first half performance and began to mount attacks on the Spurs backline, without really troubling the Spurs keeper. Spurs did seem to find it more difficult to pick up where they left off but still enjoyed a significant percentage of possession and looked the most threatening. The only goal of the second half was scored late in stoppage time when Danni Albertsen latched on to a through ball from Kathleen Jackson and chipped the on-rushing keeper. Final score 5-0 to Spurs.   

This had been an excellent performance from the entire squad. Whatever the personnel the defence was strong and resolute (with Shakira Waite giving another commanding performance at centre back), the midfield creative and tenacious and the forward line always a threat. However, what was most pleasing was not the score line but the manner in which the girls had played their football  -  passing, moving into space, and keeping possession of the ball even it that means playing the ball back at times. Well done girls.

bedford ladies u14	3
tottenham hotspur ladies u14	1

Spurs U14s travelled up the M1 to Junction 13 and beyond to face last years run away winners of the Kettering Weetabix U13 League, Bedford Ladies in the Home Counties Girls Football League. Bedford have made a very impressive start to their first season in the HCL having won five out of their six opening matches only being beaten by the current leaders (and last years champions) QPR. Bedford were second in the HCL prior to today's match. 

 

This was always going to present a tough challenge against a team whose goal difference last season was +150.  The half term break had reduced the available Spurs squad to 12 players.  The very windy conditions and the intermediate size pitch made playing conditions very difficult for both teams, but did seem to suit Bedford's more direct approach.  In contrast Spurs' trademark passing style never really got going.

 

Within five minutes Spurs were 1-0 down.  A well taken corner kick somehow evaded the Spurs defence and the keeper at the near post and went straight in.  Three minutes later it was 2-0 to Bedford.  A low speculative shot from 35-40 yards out was saved by the keeper, but bounced out of her hands and rolled into the net.  With 25 minutes played Bedford hit their third goal with a well taken strike across the keeper from the edge of the 18 yard box.  The half time score was 3-0 to Bedford. 

It had been a difficult first half played against an increasingly strong wind and with Bedford having the advantage of attacking down a not inconsiderable slope.

 

The second half was a much more even affair, as Bedford seemed to tire noticeably as the half unfolded and with the more favourable conditions, Spurs began to cause Bedford more problems.  The home team's attacks were now few and far between and less dangerous, so with 20 minutes played Spurs pulled one back.

A well hit strike from Jodeane Smith was only parried by the Bedford keeper and Helena Scotland was quickest to react to hit a low drive from within the box.  3-1 Bedford.

With Bedford keeping five across the back, Spurs changed from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 for the last 15 minutes, but despite concerted Spurs pressure the girls were unable to create any significant chances. 

 

This was a lacklustre Spurs performance.  To often they were second to the ball, and displayed a lack of determination, spirit and desire.  Spurs have lost the last two matches to teams that on a technical level they outshone, but what they need to develop is that 'never give up attitude' that goes with wearing the Spurs shirt. 

This is a new Spurs team, so we realise that these things do take time and the second half performance gives me hope for the future. 

 

To conclude I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bedford Ladies Chairman for the hospitality and warm welcome he and the opposition supporters afforded to the Spurs parents, in three seasons of watching HCGFL matches I have never meet such a friendly bunch. Bedford are a welcome addition to the HCGFL and we look forward to welcoming them to Fred Knights in the home fixture (albeit with a different result).

harvesters u14	3
tottenham hotspur ladies u14	1

Spurs Ladies Under-14s travelled to St Albans to face last years runner up in the HCGFL, Harvesters FC. This was always going to present a tough challenge against a very strong and well drilled team many of whom have benefitted from playing together for a number of seasons. 

 

Spurs started very strongly and were winning the battle in midfield whilst the defence were containing Harvesters attacks well. With 15 minutes played, Jodeane Smith (making her Spurs debut) came on to replace Tarjau Louis with Danni Albertsen moving from the lone striker role into central midfield.  Five minutes later Spurs opened the scoring with a great move involving Danni Albertsen, Kathleen Jackson and Jodeane Smith, finishing with Helena Scotland scoring with a low drive into the bottom corner.  1-0 Spurs.

This seemed to spur Harvesters into action and their attacks became more frequent and threatening.  The Harvesters pressure continued and a minute before half time a Harvesters corner caused confusion within the Spurs defence, the Harvesters centre forward was quickest to react and poked the ball home from within the six yard box.  Half Time 1-1.

 

Within five minutes of the restart, Spurs were 2-1 down when a lack of communication amongst the defence led to the opposition centre forward tapping the ball into an empty net six yards from goal. With 15 minutes played, Spurs were 3-1 down with the Harvesters centre forward completing her hat-trick with a fine drive after out-running the Spurs defence.

The second half continued with concerted Spurs pressure, but without the ability to increase the score.  A number of chances were created but without really threatening the Harvesters goal.  With 16 of the 17 players in the squad available, full use was made of all the substitutes and the facility to roll-on roll-off. 

 

This was a disappointing result. Spurs played by far the better football, but failed to trouble the Harvesters keeper enough despite significant possession and in defence a lack of communication and tactical awareness was exploited by the experienced Harvesters front line.

tottenham hotspur ladies u14	6
barnet azzurri u14	0

Spurs Ladies Under-14s entertained Barnet Azzurri at Frederick Knights today in the HCGFL.

Spurs started strongly and within 10 minutes opened up the scoring.  Following a long range effort from Melody Jones, which the keeper failed to hold, the ball was only partially cleared to Helena Scotland, who hit a well placed shot into the bottom corner. Within a couple of minutes the score was doubled when Hannah McWilliams struck a long range effort into the top corner.  The score increased to 3-0 soon after when, after a goal mouth scramble, Xelia Mendes-Jones took the ball calmly around the keeper to slot home.

 

With less than 20 minutes played, Spurs in total control, and with a full squad of 16 players, the first of a number of substitutions were made. Barnet began to press while the team adjusted to its change in personnel but were unable to breach the well marshalled Spurs defensive line.  As half time approached Jade O'Brien (who had come on as one of five substitutes) scored two goals in quick succession. The first a tap in from close range following an excellent team passing move, the second a solo effort after a determined run down the right wing.  5-0 at half time.

 

The second half saw continued Spurs pressure but without the ability to increase the score. A number of chances were created but the Tottenham players just couldn't find the finishing touch.  As the game approached full time the Spurs keeper Sarah Whale, showed excellent concentration, having barely touched the ball throughout the game such was Spurs dominance, when she made an excellent save following a Barnet breakaway attack. Finally in injury time Melody Jones was put through by Hannah McWilliams and after outrunning the defence Melody calmly buried the ball in the bottom corner.

 

A good team performance against a physical, determined Barnet side.