enfield town  1     luton town  8    

match postponed.

luton town  10     northwood  0    
denham united  v  enfield town  -  match postponed 
hampstead  2     st. martins  4    

After five weeks of matches being cancelled for various reasons, Spurs Ladies U15s started the match on a positive note looking the more dangerous of the two teams.  Ayse Mustafa showed her skill by flicking the ball over her head and laying on the ball onto Renata Inniss, who forced a good save from the St. Martins keeper.  Siobhan Jones then hit a high cross to Laura Smith, who headed well, only for the ball to roll past the wrong side of the post. 

St. Martins were coming into the game, the Spurs defence was made to work hard as the game swung from end to end.  St. Martins had the next two chances, firstly hitting the side netting from long range and then forcing the outstanding Daisy O’Sullivan into a excellent low save that was pushed round the post.  The corner bounced around the Spurs penalty area and just when the St. Martins forward looked as if she was to put the ball into the net Harley Keenlyside slid perfectly to clear the ball to safety.  Rosie and Molly Kmita along with Charlotte Dean mopped up on a regular basis and looked in control. 

The impressive Nikki Hunnable received the ball from Daisy and linked up well with Siobhan, who then slid the ball through to Phoebe Eshen who had her shot saved well.  Laura was busy on the left and passed the ball to Renata who finished in her usual clinical style.  Spurs went in 1-0 at half time. 

St. Martins started the second half the better of the two teams and were attacking on a regular basis.  Daisy had to make numerous saves and kept the team in the game, while Nikki was continuing to use her speed to break at any opportunity.  Good work by Ayse as she linked well with Siobhan, who in turn accurately found Renata, who slid the ball home to make the score 2-0. 

St. Martins continued to keep the pressure on and were looking the stronger of the two teams going close on a number of occasions.  The defence, along with Daisy, were having a busy afternoon.  Spurs were breaking fast and Phoebe was regularly finding herself in good positions and was put through on a number of occasions, but it was just not her day.  Whitney Tango had battled hard all game and was nearly rewarded from a powerful long range shot that just flew over the cross bar.  A corner found Renata, who laid the ball to Laura, who then had a good powerful shot; unfortunately it went just wide of the goal. 

St. Martins kept attacking at every opportunity and scored a deserved goal to make the score 2-1 with around fifteen minutes remaining.  These 15 minutes seemed like an hour as St. Martins kept attacking; Daisy continued her good form with a couple of top class saves.  In the dying seconds it looked like St. Martins were to score when Nikki sprinted back to nip the ball from the St. Martins forwards feet. 

The U15s played well considering they haven’t played for over a month, but they did look a little rusty and that showed, especially in the second half.  Full credit for the girls as they battled hard and got the three points to keep them on track for the league title.  They have been excellent this year and once they get back in the groove it will take a very good team to stop them.  

Full credit to St. Martins, who played really well and could have come away with at least a draw. 

A special mention to Daisy who really did keep her team in league contention with a string of fine saves. 

Happy Christmas to all at THLFC and roll on the second half of the season.

THLFC U15player(s) of the match: Joint - Daisy O’ Sullivan and Nikki Hunnable.

ross hunnable

letchworth garden city eagles  v  hampstead  -   match postponed 

denham united  -    
st. martins  -    
letchworth garden city eagles  -    
hampstead  -    
luton town  -    
enfield town  -    
northwood  -    

There are occasions when you have to take your hat off to the opposition and say well done. It was definitely the case today where Luton Town fully deserved their win against the Spurs Ladies U15s.  

Usually matches between the two teams are tight but on this occasion the lack of fixtures played by Spurs told with Luton looking the fitter of the two teams, well marshalled in defence and much the more decisive in front of goal.  

That being said, and without taking anything away from Luton, I don’t think the score-line was a fair reflection of the game. Having gone into the break with a three goal deficit the U15s enjoyed much of the possession in the second half causing Luton some anxious moments before being hit on the break twice. Special mention should go to Whitney Tango who battled away up front without reward. 

So it is down to the girls to pick themselves up, move onto next week’s fixture with St. Martins and attempt to put together a run of results that will keep them in touch with Luton in order to give themselves the chance of cancelling out this result in the return fixture.   

One positive note from today’s game was the return from long term injury of both Jemma Young and Katie Mills. 

THLFC U15 player(s) of the match: 28 Whitney Tango.

 paul mills

qpr  -    
denham united  -    
st. martins  -    
letchworth garden city eagles  -    
hampstead  -    
enfield town  -    
northwood  -    

match postponed.

qpr  -    
denham united  -    
letchworth garden city eagles  -    
hampstead  -    
luton town  -    
enfield town  -    
northwood  -    

QPR pressed to pull a goal back and both Katie Mills and Harley Keenlyside threw themselves in front of balls preventing shots, whilst Georgie Richings made a number of vital challenges to keep the visitors out. Renata had another save to make before the half time whistle blew with a 2-0 lead for Spurs.
 
At the break Renata came out of goal with Charlotte taking over whilst Phoebe Eshen and Ayse Mustafa both entered the fray.  The Spurs Ladies U15s started the second half strongly and looked to extend their lead with Ayse having a shot saved whilst Renata and Nikki both had shots blocked for corners.
 
On 59 minutes Renata played in Phoebe, who was just beaten to the ball by the QPR keeper, but four minutes later Siobhan Jones found Renata on the edge of the penalty area. She dribbled the ball into the box before shooting high into the net to make it 3-0 to Spurs.
 
Laura Smith was then unlucky to see her well struck shot hit the post on 65 minutes, but was on hand to swing in a dangerous free kick three minutes later that found Ayse in the box who turned and fired home to make it 4-0 to Spurs.
 
As the game entered its final moments, Molly took her turn in goal and a good run from Nikki found Whitney in the area who turned and shot past the QPR post.  There was still time for the visitors to break and shoot over the bar before the final whistle blew.
 
Well done to the players on both teams, who played a good game in difficult conditions that saw sunshine, a biting wind and snow all in the first five minutes of the match !  It was a good response from Spurs after their previous outing and hopefully sets them up for a good run of results in the league and cup.

THLFC U15 player(s) of the match: 8 Jemma Young 

 paul mills

no other games

match postponed.

qpr  5     fairlands youth  4    

all other games postponed

match postponed as denham could not field a team; points awarded to thlfc.

hampstead  v   qpr  -   away win awarded 
letchworth garden city eagles  v   northwood  -   match postponed
luton town  v  enfield town  -   match postponed 

Spurs Ladies Under-15 side started their HCGF League Cup campaign with an away tie at Northwood without the services of Phoebe Eshen.

The girls were quick out of the block and almost scored on three minutes, when a throw from Georgie Ritchings found Laura Smith, who crossed to Ayse Mustafa only to see her shot saved. This was only a brief respite for Northwood, as a minute later Ayse and Renata Inniss combined to set up Siobhan Jones, who took the ball round the keeper and fired home to make the score 1-0 to Spurs. 

Shortly after taking the lead, good interplay from Katie Mills, Nikki Hunnable and Siobhan provided Renata with a goal scoring opportunity.  However, the keeper was on good form saving well.   

With 10 minutes on the clock a Siobhan short corner almost unlocked the Northwood defence, when Ayse met the cross from Laura on the volley, only to see her effort fly just past the post.  Spurs were on the attack again straight from the goal kick and Laura was incredibly unlucky to fire just over having been set up by Nikki.  The missed chance didn’t play on Laura’s mind for long, as a minute later she was set up by a Charlotte Dean through ball, and this time made no mistake firing under the keeper to make the score 2-0 to Spurs. 

A dangerous ball over the top from Molly Kmita was chased down by Charlotte, only to be just beaten to the ball by the goalkeeper when it seemed that she would extend the Spurs lead.  Ayse then had another chance to score during this period of Spurs dominance, but fired over after a great run and cross from Laura.    

However, the U15s good work was rewarded on 20 minutes when Renata intercepted a goal kick and rounded three players before crossing to Charlotte, who made no mistake making the score 3-0 to Spurs. 

Almost from the restart, Jemma Young won the ball in midfield and took the ball into the penalty area before seeing her cross cut out by the Northwood keeper.  It was not all one way traffic though and Harley Keenlyside was on hand to cut out dangerous chances on a couple of occasions, whilst Daisy O’Sullivan saved well from a goal-bound effort on the half hour.  More sustained pressure saw Spurs extend their lead on 32 minutes when after a series of blocked shots the ball fell to Ayse, who cut inside and fired home to make the score 4-0 to Spurs. 

Just before the interval a good goal kick from Daisy was chased down by Siobhan.  In trying to clear, the defender had the misfortune to scoop the ball over her keeper's head and into the net to make the score 5-0 to the U15s.  There was still time for Molly to fire just wide of the post from a corner before the half ended with the score 5-0 to Spurs. 

Tottenham started the second half in the same vein as the first and extended their lead on 43 minutes.  The Northwood keeper made two good saves under pressure only for the ball to fall to Ayse, who notched her second of the game making it 6-0 to the U15s.  Shortly afterwards, Spurs won a corner and Katie was unlucky to see her looping shot saved by the keeper.  

On 50 minutes, Northwood pulled a goal back heading home from a corner to make the score 6-1.  This only seemed to strengthen Spurs resolve though, as six minutes later they scored again when Renata broke down the left flank before finding Whitney Tango with her back to goal.  Whitney turned smartly and fired home making the score 7-1 to Spurs. 

On 57 minutes Rosie Kmita broke down the left and crossed to Ayse, who was unfortunate not to complete her hat-trick seeing her shot saved.  On the hour good work by Whitney and Ayse down the right flank resulted in a cross, that was headed home by Renata to make the score 8-1 to Spurs. 

On 70 minutes Nikki combined with Jemma for the latter to fire a shot over the keeper and just past the up-right.  A minute later, a great cross from Laura was headed just wide by Siobhan.  There was still time for one more goal when a long pass from Katie down the right flank found Siobhan who served up Whitney with a chance like a cake on a paper doily.  Whitney wasted no time in dispatching a shot past the keeper and into the net to make the final score 9-1 to Spurs. 

Well done to the girls on making their way through to the next round of the cup.  

THLFC U15 player(s) of the match: 6 Katie Mills 

 paul mills

league cup
hemel hempstead  v  denham united  - match postponed - home win awarded
stevenage borough vixens  7     flitwick eagles  3    
hoddesdon owls  0     luton town  12    
parkfield girls  1     enfield town a  9    
enfield town b  2     st. albans city  7    

The Spurs Ladies Under-15 team were without Daisy O’ Sullivan in goal, so it fell to the following who all took turns to help out their team; Ayse Mustafa, Renata Inniss, Molly Kmita and Rosie Kmita, as they ran out 10-0 winners against Northwood in the HCGFL. 

After a slow start the Spurs girls got going, a few chances followed, first through some good play from Jemma Young, who almost found Renata, who was inches away from scoring.  Then a good run by the impressive Laura Smith accurately found Siobhan Jones, who hit the crossbar with a fine shot.  A good move on the right started with Nikki Hunnable, who found Siobhan, who then passed to Renata who made no mistake to score, 1-0. 

Spurs kept the pressure going and the ball hardly left the visitors half, again Siobhan linked well with Nikki, whose accurate cross was met by Laura who hit a fine low drive first time past the keeper. 

Molly moved forward well and found Renata, who laid the ball to Laura, who sent a lovely chip over the keeper to make the score 3-0.  Spurs immediately won the back possession and the ball was bobbling around the Northwood penalty area until Ayse picked up the ball and placed it neatly into the net. 

Spurs continued to attack and looked dangerous on every break, next Siobhan hit a powerful shot that narrowly whizzed past the post. Charlotte Dean sprayed the ball around well as usual and sent a fine ball to Phoebe Eshen to make it 5-0.  Whitney Tango made a darting run and picked out Phoebe, who scored, but the goal was disallowed as it was deemed offside. 

In a match like this it is easy to not mention the defenders, but the ever reliable defensive unit gave the midfield and forwards the freedom to move forward with little concern.  Molly continued to play the ball around well as did her sister Rosie.  Harley Keenlyside was tidy as always, Georgie Richings always looked in control and Katie Mills was moving forward well and continued to play her usual neat football, with good accurate passes to the right midfield and forward players.  The defensive girls were always switched on and did well in dealing with the high clearances that were sent their way.  The half time score was 5-0. 

The second half started as the first had finished, with Ayse picking up the ball at the edge of the area and sending the ball over the keeper's head to make it 6-0.  Renata then sent a fine ball over the top for Siobhan, who smashed home to make it 7-0.  Molly was the first of the keepers troubled and did well to save with her feet, but the game was always a one sided affair. 

Call me old fashioned, but it was refreshing to see the girls knocking the ball round unselfishly making sure that everyone played a part and the girls seemed to be enjoying their football.  The next incident raised a few laughs between the girls and parents alike.  Nikki played the ball back to Siobhan, who looped the ball high into the area, Renata headed backwards and seemed to have scored when Laura burst through to knock the ball over the line, but was deemed offside and the goal was disallowed. 

Charlotte showed her skills again and beat the oncoming defenders, then laying off a neat pass for Renata who made the score 8-0.  Almost straight from the kick off Renata and Laura played an excellent one-two for Renata to make it 9-0. 

With seconds remaining Nikki was put through, the goalkeeper saved well, but Nikki slotted home the rebound to finally end her mini drought and make the final score 10-0. 

Now that they have had a few continuous games under their belts, you could see the confidence returning and the Spurs girls will be a match for any side. 

Full credit to Northwood, they have played the Spurs girls two weeks running and have proved hard work to break down and always put up a spirited show.  The Northwood keeper has been outstanding on both occasions and the score could have been higher if it wasn’t for her.

ross hunnable

enfield town  1     qpr  1    

Spurs Ladies Under-15s visited St. Martins without the services of Siobhan Jones, who arrived on crutches nursing a foot injury - we wish her well.
 
The match was played on a tight pitch in blustery wet weather conditions and it was the home team who started better creating a couple of early half chances that were tidied up by Daisy O'Sullivan.  It was not until 11 minutes were on the clock that Spurs created a chance of note when Laura Smith saw her shot saved.  

This seemed to galvanise the U15s who began to put the St. Martins goal under pressure.  A minute later Renata Inniss had a powerful shot saved for a corner.  From the dead ball Laura swung in a cross that was headed home by Renata to make it 1-0 to Spurs - the hare as they say was most definitely running !
 
On 14 minutes Renata almost doubled the advantage seeing her powerful shot saved by a keeper in good form. Charlotte Dean then went close from distance before Renata had another shot saved.  After 25 minutes, a cross from Rosie Kmita found its way to Renata on the edge of the St. Martin's area. Renata displayed nice footwork to get a powerful shot off that flew into the net to make the score 2-0 to Spurs.
 
Ten minutes later Renata received the ball on the edge of the box before evading two tackles to shooting just past the post.  Ayse Mustafa then had to leave the field of play after feeling unwell.  Jemma Young fired just wide and there was still time before the break for Whitney Tango to cross to Phoebe Eshen who fired just over leaving the half time score 2-0 to the U15s.
 
St. Martins again had the better of the early stages of the second period and it was not until eight minutes into the half when Katie Mills found Phoebe who in turn fed Renata, the latter taking the ball into the box and firing home to complete her hat trick and make the score 3-0 to Spurs.
 
If the girls thought that match was over then they were mistaken as with 50 minutes of the clock St. Martins pulled a goal back after Spurs failed to clear a corner.  This lifted St. Martins who began to apply some pressure to the Spurs goal.  Harley Keenlyside did well to cut out a shot before she and Katie combined to snuff out another effort.

Georgie Ritchings and Molly Kmita got in vital challenges as Spurs rode out this period of pressure from St. Martins without further incident and any nerves were settled on 71 minutes when Renata played in Phoebe who took the ball on and fired under the keeper making the score 4-1 to Spurs.
 
A minute later Renata nearly grabbed her fourth, when through on goal, only to see her shot saved.  Spurs went further ahead on 73 minutes when Renata played in Phoebe who scored at the second attempt making the score 5-1.
 
In time added on Spurs won a corner, that was driven in by Laura and finished by Renata taking her tally to four and making the final score 6-1 to Spurs.  

A word on the opposition - not many teams in this league will work the Spurs defence as St. Martins did today and they should be commended for that.  The score-line probably did not reflect the pressure applied by the hosts, who had our girls, management team and parents feeling decidedly uncomfortable for periods.  With that in mind well done to the Spurs girls for prevailing in difficult conditions against a very decent side.  

THLFC U15 player(s) of the match: 10 Renata Inniss 

 paul mills

denham united  v  qpr  -  match postponed - away win awarded
letchworth garden city eagles  2     northwood  3    
luton town  v  enfield town  -  match postponed - away win awarded  

points awarded to thlfc as hampstead could not field a team. 

qpr  -    
denham united  -    
st. martins  -    
letchworth garden city eagles  -    
luton town  -    
enfield town  -    
northwood  -    

Spurs Ladies Under-15s arrived at Letchworth without the services of Nikki Hunnable, Siobhan Jones and Whitney Tango for this HCGFL meeting, so were pretty much down to the bare bones.
 
The Under-15s made a quick start and with only four minutes on the clock Phoebe Eshen robbed a Letchworth defender of the ball and broke towards goal only to shoot just wide.  Spurs went close again four minutes later when Ayse Mustafa found Jemma Young on the right.  Jemma took the ball on and fired just wide of the upright. 

With 13 minutes on the clock Spurs won a corner.  Laura Smith swung a dangerous dead ball into the area where Renata Inniss flicked on for Katie Mills to finish at close range, grabbing her first of the season, and make the score 1-0 to Spurs.  

Two minutes later Jemma played in Renata whose powerful shot was saved by the Letchworth keeper.  On 18 minutes the same two players combined to put Spurs further in front, when from a Rosie Kmita long ball, Jemma flicked onto Renata who made no mistake to make the score 2-0 to Spurs.  

The defence had to be on their toes when called upon and Katie, Rosie, Harley Keenlyside, Molly Kmita and Georgie Richings all made challenges to snuff out Letchworth attacks and protect Daisy O’Sullivan’s goal leaving her largely redundant. 

After 23 minutes Ayse saw her shot saved by the Letchworth keeper who was on fine form.  A minute later Phoebe fired over having been played in by Laura.  This set a pattern for the remainder of the half with Spurs creating a number of chances without being able to add to the score and so the half ended with the score at 2-0. 

Letchworth had the better of the early stages of the second period and it was not until five minutes into the half when Spurs created a chance of note after Ayse and Renata combined to find Phoebe whose shot was saved.
 
With 47 minutes gone Spurs won a corner.  Laura again swung in a cross only to see it cleared back to her.  Laura headed the clearance back in the area for Renata to finish and make the score 3-0 to the Under-15s. 

The next period of the second half were in truth rather scrappy with not much goalmouth activity.  Charlotte Dean stood out amongst the Spurs players always seeking an opening and played in a number of dangerous passes that for one reason or another were not converted. 

It was not until 68 minutes that the score line changed when Ayse played in Rosie who took the ball into the penalty area before finding Laura on the left.  Laura wrong-footed the Letchworth keeper and fired home to make the final score 4-0 to Spurs.  

OK, so this was not the fluid performance that we are used seeing, however the girls still had enough in their armoury to grind out the win, keep a clean sheet and grab the three points on offer and should be commended.  Well played both teams who will reconvene next week in the cup.

THLFC U15 player(s) of the match: 11 Charlotte Dean & 25 Rosie Kmita

 paul mills

qpr  -    
denham united  -    
st. martins  -    
hampstead  -    
luton town  -    
enfield town  -    
northwood  -    

thlfc given walkover as letchworth garden city eagles withdrew from the competition. 

qpr  -    
denham united  -    
st. martins  -    
letchworth garden city eagles  -    
hampstead  -    
luton town  -    
enfield town  -    
northwood  -