Tottenham met Harvesters for the second time this season. Spurs started brightly with Clara Littlechild stepping up well in defence.

Lydia Maher charged down the right and crossed the ball in, for Katie Fray to tap the ball in to make it 1-0.

Hollie Watson cleared a long ball away at the back.  A good ball from Bobbi Cubberley found Sophie Gardiner whose shot was held by the keeper. Megan Oates in defence found Sarah Brennan on the left with a searching ball. Once again Lydia ran at pace down the right and crossed the ball in, this time Sophie was there to drill the ball away to make it 2-0.

Katie laid the ball off well to Bobbi, whose shot just went over the top. Bobbi then delivered a super ball to Sarah on the left. Lydia made the next goal as she cut inside on the right, her shot was half saved by the keeper but Laura Newby was quickly on the rebound to finish it off and make it 3-0. Sophie produced a good touch to find Sarah and her shot went wide.

Hollie and Clara combined to keep the defence tight at the back and Saskia Collins was very strong on the right of defence.  Megan came across to cover well in defence.  Bobbi produced a great long ball to Laura whose shot just went wide.  Lydia made the fourth goal when she once again went down the right cut the ball back in and Sophie made no mistake in burying it to make it 4-0.  Lydia was once again in the action a moment later when she put a great ball into the middle, Sophie took the ball on she nearly got round the keeper but just ran out of room.  Clara was defending high up the park, Saskia was also pushing up on the right and making sure nothing got passed her.  Lydia was still on the charge and was trying to find Laura and Sophie in the middle.  Katie was battling well and drilled a good ball to Sophie who was just thwarted this time.  The next moment and Katie had tracked back and helped Clara defend on the left.  Lydia once again crossed the ball across the face of the goal and it found Sarah on the other side, she passed it to Laura whose shot bounced off the post and away.  A few seconds later and Bobbi smashed a shot against the cross bar it came out to Sophie whose shot also crashed off the crossbar.

Bobbi had another shot a moment later which was well held by the keeper, but then Sarah had a superb strike from just outside the box that beat the keeper to make it 5-0.  Sam Delves showed great skill in the middle and Lydia cut in well following a run on the right, with her shot being well saved just before half time.

Harvesters started the second half well, with Lily Tyrimos being called upon to come out and collect a through ball.  Megan delivered a good ball to Sarah through a crowd of players, whose shot was well held by the keeper.  Hollie blocked off a through ball, Bobbi threaded a ball to Sophie whose shot went wide and then Bobbi pushed herself through a crowd of players following the keeper's kick out and she smartly put the all away to make it 6-0.

Sam then had a lovely strike saved by the keeper.  Charlotte McLucas made a good run down the right passing the ball to Laura whose shot went wide.  Shoshana Field in defence produced a very long lofted shot which just went over the bar.  Sam burst through the middle and her shot whistled across the face of the goal and Sarah had a shot which was held by the keeper.  Spurs were awarded a penalty and Bobbi stepped up to take it, unfortunately it went over the bar.  A minute later however Sophie found Bobbi who tracked the ball down and slotted it away to make it 7-0.

Katie was showing some super skill and determination on the left.  Sam was doing very well in the middle; she passed to Laura whose shot bounced off the post again.  Vicki Blake had a good step up and was strong in the middle.  Katie was pressing the goal, she produced a great pass to Sophie who spun round and smashed the ball away to make it 8-0 and produce her hat-trick.  Another penalty was awarded and this time Bobbi made no mistake to make it 9-0 and also deliver her hat-trick of the day. 

Clara produced some great step ups and Katie was darting down the left at pace.  Lydia made a brilliant interception and went on to score her first of the day, although she had made a hatful for her team mates to make it 10-0.  Clara continued to cover well, with Shoshana and Vicki headed a searching ball away from a corner.  Sam once again burst through on the right, her shot was held by the keeper.  Laura had a shot which went over the top.  A minute later and Laura produced a searching ball to Lydia who was just offside.  Vicki was called upon to defend which she did well. Charlotte then passed to Bobbi who drilled it to Sam, who made no mistake in tucking it away to make 11-0.

The Tottenham team played well today and the whole squad were actively involved. Harvesters battled away for the whole game. Well done to all.

david watson

afc stevenage  0     wealdstone  14    
belmont united  10    brentford  1     

-

-

Brentford are a new team to the League this season, so the Tom-Toms were in use throughout the team on their long journey to the venue.

Spurs started brightly with Clara Littlechild passing to Sarah Brennan who looked for the through ball to Sophie Gardiner up front.  Bobbi Cubberley brought the ball down well in the middle of the park.  Vicki Blake was solid in the centre of the defence.  Katie Fray delivered a nice ball to Sophie whose shot was held by the keeper.

Lydia Maher tracked back and cleared the ball away on the right.  Clara was strong on the left of defence.  Charlotte McLucas had a good run down the left, which won a corner for the side and then floated the ball in for Vicki to get on the end of, but the keeper made a good save at close range.  Vicki was then next seen heading a lofted ball away in defence.

Spurs were pushing forward with Sarah finding Katie with a lovely pass which Katie flicked up and volleyed it towards goal just missing the post.  Hollie Watson cleared the ball from defence to Bobbi who then passed it onto Sophie whose shot was parried away; Sarah couldn’t quite get her shot away on the rebound.  A moment later and Saskia Collins on the right of defence passed the ball through to Sarah whose shot was very well saved by the keeper.  A moment later and Sarah passed the ball to Laura Newby, who had just come on for an injured Sophie and she delivered the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Some good one-twos between Charlotte and Sarah saw Tottenham continue to make progress in the opposition’s half.  Saskia was also finding Charlotte and Laura with some searching balls.  Bobbi produced some great skill to beat some players and then move the ball to Sarah whose shot crashed against the post and away.  Katie then found some room on the left, she chipped the keeper who was charging out, but a Brentford defender was also charging back and cleared the ball off the line.  Bobbi then burst through on the right following a goal kick she did all the hard part by chesting the ball, beating a couple of defenders, but her shot went wide.  You then started to have the feeling it was going to be one of those days.

Hollie was solid at the back, with Saskia patrolling the right hand side well.  Sarah then had another shot which was well saved. Vicki and Clara teamed up well to stop the long lofted balls coming through.  Saskia produced a good long ball, which Sarah got on the end of and moved it out to Bobbi who then nearly found Katie, but the keeper cleared the danger away.

Hollie continued to battle at the back, with super support from Vicki working together as a team.  Bobbi once again showed some super skill in the middle she managed to find Katie whose shot was well held by the keeper.  Hollie defended well, with Clara turning her player well.  A corner came in there was a bit of a goal mouth scramble and the ball fell to a Brentford who didn’t need to be asked twice to smash it into the back of the net to make it 1-1.  Whilst it was against the run of play that’s football and the girls needed to get their heads down and toil away to find the elusive goal that they were looking for.  Charlotte went down the left her shot went wide, then Laura had a chance a few minutes later with a one on one, but a defender managed to get back in time to stop her shooting.  Bobbi had a shot that was very well saved.  Lydia looking for Sophie found her and her shot was once again well saved by the keeper.  Vicki was heading the ball very well.  Sarah delivered a lovely ball to Sophie in the middle of the box who buried to make it 2-1 just before half time.

A number of changes were made at half time to mix things up a little.  Sam Delves was defending well on the left.  Megan Oates delivered a lovely cross field pass to Katie whose shot was well saved again by the Brentford keeper who was having a super game.  Bobbi then produced a good through ball to Laura whose shot went wide.  Sarah showed some good skill on the left to deliver a lovely ball to Sophie with her shot going wide.  Megan produced another great cross field pass to Sarah and her shot went like a rocket, the keeper once again flew through the air and parried the ball away.  Sophie then burst through on the right and the keeper closed her down quickly to block her shot with her legs.  Shoshana Field was on the right of defence, she was battling hard to make sure nothing got past her.  Hollie headed the ball away well, to find Megan who then passed it to Bobbi and she delivered a through ball to Laura, which couldn’t quite get away on this occasion.  Sophie had a shot that whistled across the goal mouth.

Brentford once again looked for the long ball, which for once went through the defence and Lily Tyrimos came out to capture it, with two defenders bearing down on her.

Charlotte was pressing on Brentford well, she then passed to Sophie who returned the favour and her shot was saved by the keeper.  Shoshana then produced a good ball to Sophie in the middle of the attack, her shot just went wide.  Sam delivered a good ball to Laura up front , who was surrounded by defenders to clear it away.  Shoshana continued to be strong on the right of defence.  Katie and Megan teamed up to try and beat the opposition but were thwarted on this occasion.

Following a Brentford lofted attack, Hollie smashed the ball up the field herself, it took one bounce on to Sophie, who controlled it and smashed it past the keeper to make it 3-1 just a few minutes before the final whistle blew.

Brentford are a well organised, disciplined group of players, who play in the right spirit and obviously enjoy their football.  Their keeper was outstanding today, well done.

The girls played very nice football today, passing the ball around, great movement on and off the ball, closing players down quickly and whilst the shooting was a bit of target today, overall they should be pleased with the performance. Player of the match went to Bobbi for her tireless performance in midfield, showing super skill and vision.

Next week a break, enjoy!!

david watson

-

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Under-15s knew that today’s match would be a tough one and it certainly lived up to the billing.

Spurs started brightly with Bobbi Cubberley producing a lovely through ball to Lydia Maher on the right who couldn’t quite get her shot away.  Tottenham were down the Wealdstone end with Sophie Gardiner and Sarah Brennan looking for space up front, but then the visitors broke quickly and delivered a good ball through the middle, their striker was onto it quickly, beating the defence to the ball and she drilled it into the back of the net to make 1-0.  The break through was against the tide but Wealdstone had taken the opportunity well.  Spurs however steeled themselves, with Sam Delves getting stuck in down the right of defence.  The girls won a corner and Bobbi floated the ball into the goal mouth, Katie Fray produced a cheeky back heel to put the ball into the back of the net and make it 1-1 within a couple of minutes of the re-start.

The girls were starting to move the ball well between Bobbi, to Sophie and Lydia on the right and putting real pressure on the Wealdstone box.  Katie produced some great skill on the ball weaving one way and then the other.  Vicki Blake and Hollie Watson were clearing attacks away, which had started to increase.  Sarah pushed forward on the left and had a super shot that was parried away by the keeper for a corner.  The corner was once again floated in the ball came out to Vicki and she popped it back in to Lydia whose shot just went over the top.

Wealdstone themselves had a shot which was comfortably held by Lily Tyrimos in goal.  Clara Littlechild was incredibly busy down the left hand side taking thrown in after thrown as the girls tried to push forward.  Megan Oates was working hard in the centre of midfield as the momentum was building.  Bobbi passed to Lydia who crossed it to Sarah and her shot was well held.  Clara was defending well on the left.  Katie produced some more skill to pass the ball to Sophie whose shot was comfortably held by the keeper.  Bobbi drove down the right and crossed the ball in, Sophie couldn’t quite get on the end of it and it went off for a goal kick.  Lily was called on again to hold a long range shot and Hollie cleared away a dangerous ball.  Megan was tracking back and assisting the defence as Wealdstone started to get more of the ball.  Vicki cleared another attack away and Bobbi continued to battle away on the right looking to find Lydia.  Lily pulled off a good save as Wealdstone were increasing the pressure.  Lydia had a shot herself which hit the side netting on the right.  Just then there was a mix up in the Wealdstone defence with the keeper, Sophie burst through the crowd and poked the ball into the back of the net to make 2-1 just before half time.

Spurs started brightly with Lydia crossing a ball in, which unfortunately no one could get on the end of.  Hollie defended well at the back. Charlotte McLucas was getting involved down the left.  Lydia had another cross which the keeper held.  Unfortunately Hollie then became injured and had to be carried off.  The rest of this report is with one eye on the game and the other looking after Hollie.  After a couple of goal mouth scrambles, the ball fell out to a Wealdstone player and she buried it into the back of the net to make it 2-2. 

Spurs now had their backs to the walls, with Vicki doing an outstanding job in the defence, clearing ball after  ball away, with her head, legs time after time.  Wealdstone were attacking wave after wave and the defence of Vicki, Saskia Collins, Clara and Sam were doing a sterling job.

Sam did manage to venture out of the box and actually got her own shot away, which went wide.  Laura Newby had come on after a few weeks out with an injury and was straight in the thick of it.  Charlotte also came back to defend. Katie had a shot which hit the side netting.  Wealdstone attacked again and Vicki cleared it away. Wealdstone then won a free kick from just outside the area, the resultant shot came in at speed and crashed off the cross bar.  Saskia was battling away with all her might and did a super job on the right of the defence.  Vicki once again headed the ball away at the last moment.  Bobbi tried to move the pressure down the other end and Lydia was trying to create some space down the right.  Sam and Saskia once again defended well. Katie delivered a good ball to Laura onto Lydia whose shot was wide.  Clara produced a great step up, with Vicki once away clearing out some dangerous balls.  Lily was called upon to dive on the ball from another Wealdstone attack, who didn’t give up looking for the winner.  The girls however held firm as the final whistle blew.

Spurs knew they were in a game and they will have to raise their standards for the next encounter, learn from the experience and build on it as they have in the past.

Finally we wish Blerta Berisha well as she has left the club this week to join Middlesex Academy.

david watson

-

Stevenage started brightly and Vicki Blake cut out the corner that they had won. Shoshana Field was in goal today and she came out to clear the ball away.  Bobbi Cubberley produced a lovely through ball which Sarah Brennan picked up at speed and ran on, she then took aim and drilled it into the top left hand corner to make it 1-0 after five minutes. Bobbi then delivered another good through ball to Sarah which was just intercepted in time. Katie Fray produced some strong headers, with Blerta Berisha going on a run down the left and looking to cross it in.

Hollie Watson cleared the ball away under pressure, with Clara Littlechild producing some solid defending and Saskia Collins working well on the right of defence. A good move saw Bobbi pass to Sophie Gardiner who passed it to Sarah, she let fly with her shot which smashed off the crossbar. Still Spurs pushed forward with Saskia finding Lydia Maher up front, she was just offside. Katie had a shot which the keeper saved, Lydia very nearly tapped in the follow up. Sophie floated a nice corner in which Vicki got on the end of and the ball was cleared off the line. Sarah had another shot which the keeper saved. Tottenham still had to keep their wits about them with Hollie clearing the ball away.

Blerta had a shot that hit the cross bar it came out to Charlotte McLucas who pushed it to Bobbi and she buried it to make it 2-0.Blerta had another run down the left. Charlotte came back to defend, as Stevenage still pushed forward. Lydia had a great ride down the right her shot just went wide. Megan Oates and Vicki were holding firm in the centre of defence. Saskia continued to be strong on the right. Tottenham were attacking with Sarah looking for Lydia and then a moment later Megan producing a good ball to Sarah to run onto. Clara was strong on the left with Vicki stepping up when necessary.

Sam Delves got stuck straight into the action. Bobbi had a long range shot which was saved. Megan delivered a good ball to Bobbi whose shot was just over the top at the end of the first half. 

Spurs started the second half at a pace with Sam looking for Charlotte down the wing.  Sarah was trying to get Bobbi through and Blerta had a shot just over the top.  Some fantastic interplay between Sophie to Charlotte on to Sarah who buried her shot to make it 3-0.  Some more great moves between Charlotte, Sophie and Sarah saw Sarah’s shot well saved.  Charlotte then produced a super cross which Sarah nearly got on the end of.  Bobbi crossed the ball a few minutes later, looking for Sophie. Tottenham were piling on the pressure with Blerta looking for Sophie who turned quickly and her shot was saved. Charlotte had a shot which went across the goal mouth. Stevenage then struck back after a mix up at the back, which meant a goal mouth scramble and they scored to make it 3-1.

This seemed to spur Tottenham more, as Vicki produced some strong headers away, Clara with some super step ups. Sam passed to Bobbi who shot, the keeper didn’t hold it and Sarah popped up to make it 4-1 and score her hat-trick. A moment later and Megan managed to volley the ball into the back of the net to make it 5-1 from a good cross, delivered by Bobbi. A good step up from Vicki, saw the ball go to Katie, who passed it through to Sophie, who went on a lighting run through the middle, chipped the ball through and buried it passed the keeper to make it 6-1.  A Charlotte corner saw Bobbi almost head it in, Vicki got the ball back and crossed it in for Katie, she just hit it wide. A moment later and Bobbi passed to Katie whose shot the keeper didn’t hold and it was 7-1.The girls were streaming forward, some brilliant skill saw Bobbi back heel it to Katie, who back heeled it back, then Bobbi flicked it over the defenders heads and smashed it past the keeper to make it 8-1.

Charlotte pushed the ball out to Katie whose shot was saved. Hollie had a shot which went wide after it came out of a corner move.  Another super chip saw Bobbi deliver a lovely ball to Katie on the left, she cut inside and buried it to make it 9-1. A  few seconds later and Bobbi found Blerta she hammered the ball towards goal, the ball was half saved by the keeper and Katie pounced on the rebound to score her third of the day and make it 10-1.  Sam defended well , with Sarah having a great shot which came off the cross bar. Sophie had a shot which was well held by the keeper.

The second half drew to a close with Tottenham well on top, although Stevenage never gave up and played really well especially in the first half.  The girls were slow to start but they certainly clicked in the second half and were a really handful. Well done to all concerned.

A special mention to Lydia’s Dad John who is off to America and we all hope it’s not long before he returns.

david watson

-

The Spurs Ladies Under-15 team returned to Belmont United’s original ground this season, which has seen some dramatic changes, now that a school has been built on half of the ground.

Spurs started brightly with Katie Fray having a shot from outside the area, which was well watched by the Belmont keeper. Bobbi Cubberley was tackling well in the middle of the park, she looked to find Blerta Berisha with a good through ball, which was well cut out by the Belmont defence.  Sam Delves was under heavy fire on the right of the defence, but Tottenham were still pushing forward with Katie delivering a good cross into the box which was cleared away. Clara Littlechild was doing well down the left of defence, while Hollie Watson cut out a good through ball and then Sarah Brennan drilled a great ball to Blerta on the right, who was just beaten to it by a defender.

Belmont however were gradually putting Spurs under more and more pressure and Tottenham were allowing the opposition too much time on the ball in midfield which was creating problems as Belmont moved forward in force. Indeed Belmont very nearly took the lead when they broke through on the left, crossed the ball into the middle, where one of their strikers was standing to tap it in, fortunately for Spurs the ball was lofted over the open goal.

Hollie cleared away another Belmont attack, as they were now really sensing that they could deliver a goal. It very nearly came when one of their midfielders broke through the middle and blasted the ball over the top of Lily Tyrimos in goal. The defence were having to work really hard with Vicki Blake heading away ball after ball, Sam and Hollie teaming to clear away the attacks from Belmont. Clara was working well down the left.

Sam delivered a long pass to Lydia Maher on the right who was just beaten to it by the defence. Lily held a well struck shot. Tottenham however were now getting back into the game, Hollie as captain was becoming very vocal to try and encourage her team mates to raise their games.

Blerta beat a couple of players and passed a lovely ball to Lydia, who half-volleyed it into the back of the net from about 15 yards out after 25 minutes to make 1-0.  Sarah drove a long range shot towards goal, the keeper spilled it and Lydia pounced on it like a cat and tapped it into the goal to make it 2-0.  A few minutes later and Sarah let fly again with an absolute screamer of a shot on the left which smashed into the right top hand corner to make it 3-0, giving the keeper no chance.

Bobbi took a free kick which was well held by the keeper. Vicki continued to head any through balls away, with Saskia Collins battling away on the left of defence.

Sophie Gardiner was also working hard up front , looking for space. Sarah threaded a ball through to Megan Oates who was just pipped to the ball. Sam started to move more out of defence. Belmont didn’t give up and Lily very bravely dived on a ball following a corner to stop the opposition from scoring. Blerta finished the half helping out in defence.

Tottenham knew that they needed to be more positive in the second half, by closing the opposition down quicker and giving them no time to get into their stride.

Sam produced a good step up. There was some great interplay between Shoshana Field, Blerta and Lydia which turned the opposition inside out. However Belmont were still dangerous and Saskia produced some good defending, with Megan starting to stamp her authority in the middle of the park.  Shoshana passed to Sarah, who then passed it to Blerta, she ran forward and chipped the ball over the keeper's head to make it 4-0.

Shoshana, Katie and Sarah were teaming up in the middle and were causing the opposition problems. Lily produced another brave save from a corner when she dived on the ball.  Lydia was battling down the right and Megan had a shot that went wide. Clara produced a great through ball to Katie, who just chipped it wide. Shoshana was moving well up front. Blerta was showing good skill, as she looked for Megan in the middle.  Vicki was once again as solid as a rock in defence, stepping up when needed and seemed to be stopping everything that moved.

With Bobbi off the pitch, Hollie stepped up to take a free kick which had been given just outside the area, the ball floated through the air and whilst it was dipping it  just went over the cross bar.  Sophie produced a great run through the middle and was just thwarted by the keeper's good save.  Lydia battled down the right and her shot just went wide. Megan was now pulling all the strings in the middle of the park.  Sophie floated a good corner in, which Katie nearly got on the end of and her shot was saved.  Blerta produced a good cross field ball to Bobbi, who smashed the ball towards the goal, the keeper pulled off an amazing diving save to her right.  Sophie once again floated the corner in and this time Katie buried the ball to make it 5-0.

Hollie produced a long ball to look for Bobbi up front, with a good chip from Bobbi, finding Katie whose shot was saved. Sam had now got up front and was looking for a way through, with Saskia covering well in the middle.  Hollie towards the end of the second half produced a very long ball for Sam to run onto and the keeper just cleared it away in time.

Belmont are a good side, who always battle away.  Spurs were lucky not to have gone down two nil in the first half, but they showed character to raise their game and were a very strong outfit in the second half.  Well played. 

Player of the match went to Vicki who was excellent in defence.

dave watson

-

Sophie Gardiner started well with the first attack down the left and crossed the ball into the box, but no other striker could get on the end of it. Blerta Berisha was looking to find Lydia Maher up front. Clara Littlechild was strong on the left of defence. Sophie was battling away up front, with Bobbi Cubberley having a good shot saved. Vicki Blake was clearing away at the back with Saskia Collins patrolling the right of defence. Katie Fray was busy in the middle of the park. Bobbi then drilled a through ball to Lydia and it was just cleared away. Blerta then produced a similar pass through to Lydia a moment later and Spurs were pilling on the pressure. Bobbi produced a good corner which Vicki headed down and the ball was cleared away.  A moment later and Bobbi found some space 20 yards out and let fly with a super left footed shot which slammed into the back of the net to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes.

Still Spurs had to keep their wits about them with Saskia heading away, Hollie Watson holding firm at the back, clearing any danger away and encouraging the defence to cut out any dangerous moves before they could materialise.  Katie was showing her skill in midfield, as was Bobbi.  Bobbi created a good through ball to Blerta whose shot was saved, Sophie also had a shot that was saved.  However, Harvesters nearly scored from a corner, when Lydia headed the ball off the line, then Hollie and Lily Tyrimos combined to make sure that an attack was repelled.

Sarah Brennan was working hard down the left of midfield, looking to break through onto the Harvesters goal. Saskia was pushing up on the right of defence to give Spurs more options. A good move Lydia to Blerta to Sophie whose shot was blocked off.  Vicki was stepping up well to cut out moves through the middle.

A lovely move happened when Blerta produced a great ball to Sophie who ran onto at full speed, pulled the trigger and the ball flew into the back of the net from 20 yards out to make it 2-0 after 25 minutes and it was Sophie’s first league goal for the club, what a cracker!!

Tottenham were pressing forward with Sophie looking to find Blerta, with Blerta’s shot just going wide. Blerta then produced a super pass to Bobbi as it was just cleared away in time. Just then Sarah burst down the left at some pace leaving defenders in her wake she smashed the ball towards goal from 30 yards out with her deadly left foot, the keeper couldn’t hold it and it nestled nicely in the back of the net to make it 3-0, another lovely debut league goal for newcomer Sarah after 30 minutes.

Blerta was causing all sort of problems with her skill and her shot was well saved. Bobbi floated in a lovely corner that Vicki just put over the bar. Charlotte McLucas was getting stuck on the right. Clara was very strong on the left of defence. Spurs were back up the other end with Sarah delivering a great cross which find Sophie and her shot was well saved. Next move saw Vicki battle the ball out of defence to find Megan Oates who produced a lovely ball to Sarah whose long range shot was just tipped over the bar. Sam Delves had come on in defence and was strong on the right, making sure nothing got through. Both Bobbi and Megan then had shots that were well saved, with Blerta having a shot that just went wide before half time.

The second half started with Megan looking for Shoshana Field up front.  Bobbi produced a lovely ball through to Sophie who once again at full tilt let fly with a screamer which nearly took the back of the net out to make it 4-0 within a minute of the re-start.  A few moments later a Sophie burst through this time in the middle and had four defenders around, she still managed to get a shot away, which just went wide.

To be fair Harvesters were still trying, but Hollie was slamming the door firmly in their faces, with some very sensible and solid defending. Blerta was back up the other end with a shot and Shoshana also burst through with a shot that was saved.

Blerta then delivered a great cross field ball to Charlotte who motored down the right, she took aim and the ball smashed off the cross bar, with Sophie just hitting the re-bound over the top. Don’t worry Charlotte the goals coming very soon.

A few minutes later and Tottenham won a corner, Charlotte very cleverly passed a quick short corner to Blerta who took aim and you just knew there was only going to be one outcome 5-0 to Spurs.

Hollie cleared away danger from an attack, with Shoshana showing real determination up front.  We hadn’t had a super strike for at least 10 minutes from Sophie, so guess what ?  Up she pops and produces another 20 yard super strike to cap her first league game for the club with a hat-trick, excellent performance, well done, so 6-0.

Megan had a shot that was cut out by the defence and Hollie was doing the same at the other end, with help from Clara and Vicki, as well as Sam.  Sometimes the skill from Blerta is breath-taking and she did again, twisting the defenders inside out, coolly steps back and drills the ball into the top right hand corner to make it 7-0.

Charlotte produced another beautiful floated corner and Vicki pops up to tap the ball into the back of the net to make it 8-0.  Sarah created a great cross to Megan whose shot was well saved by the keeper. Sam burst out from the back she passed the ball to Lydia who pushed it to Megan who floated the ball onto Lydia, who very coolly chipped the ball over the keepers head to make it 9-0.

Saskia produced a good through ball to Lydia who was pushing forward. Vicki headed the ball away well, with Hollie making sure nothing came through, closing down people very fast before they could get their shot away. Katie had a couple of shots that were well saved, with another going wide. Charlotte was still darting down the right, with Sam stopping over dangerous moves and Saskia blocking off the through balls as the final whistle blew.

david watson

-

-

-

The girls travelled to the beautiful ground of Cambridge City for their first pre-season friendly on a lovely bright and sunny day, with some changes during the summer meaning that four new players had joined the Spurs squad being Sarah Brennan, Sam Delves, Sophie Gardiner and Megan Oates.  We wish Becca and Sam well in their new clubs, Nina a speedy recovery from her operations and we are delighted to learn that Alexa is doing really well with her football following her return to America part way through last season.

This was always going to be a tough and tight game with both sides having won their respective Leagues titles and cups last year.

Cambridge City were into their stride from the start and Hollie Watson cleared a dangerous attack away. Cambridge were pressing hard, with Vicki Blake, Sam Delves and Clara Littlechild and Hollie holding the line in defence. Megan Oates was getting stuck in and Sophie Gardiner was looking to thread the ball through to Sarah Brennan whose shot was saved.

Clara moved the ball out to Bobbi Cubberley who drilled a through ball to Sarah but the Cambridge defence were quick to clear the opportunity. Megan brought the ball down well to find Bobbi who had a long range shot. Tottenham after the first 10-15 minutes were starting to get more into the game, with Bobbi showing some good skill on the ball looking for Sophie on a break through move. Charlotte McLucas was looking for space on the right and Bobbi delivered a good ball to Lydia Maher up front, which was cleared away by the defence. Sophie was battling away up front, with Lydia also looking to grasp any opportunity and Megan delivered a good ball to Shoshana Field, who had come on up front. Katie Fray had moved into the centre of midfield and she to was looking to find Sophie up front. Still Cambridge were dangerous and Vicki cleared their attacks away with help from Hollie. Lily Tyrimos came out to make a good save, with Clara darting around at the back. The first half finished at 0-0.

Cambridge once again started the second half brightly and Hollie was called upon to clear the ball away. Clara was solid on the left and Katie was using her skill in the middle of the park. Charlotte was getting stuck in looking for open space. Saskia Collins was strong on the right of the defence with Sam having moved into central defence and she was also remaining alert and positive to the challenges. Saskia delivered a long ball up to Sophie who was using her pace well on the right. Sam cleared the danger away from central attacks, with Katie also tracking back to assist. Blerta Berisha, who had unfortunately got lost, joined the team in the second half and was quickly into her stride. Katie had a shot which was comfortably held by the keeper. Charlotte went down the right and unfortunately no one could get on the end of the cross.  Bobbi delivered a ball to Sophie and it was just cleared in time. Sarah was working tirelessly in the midfield. Megan had a shot following a corner which just glanced the post. Vicki was defending well at the back, but after more Cambridge pressure something had to give and their striker managed to find some room and blast the ball past Lily to make it 1-0 with about 15 minutes remaining.

The girls did well to hold off more attacks from Cambridge with Clara, Hollie, Saskia and Vicki working well as a solid unit. Blerta was starting to cause problems down the left and she managed to break through and whip the ball across, Megan passed it to Sam Delves, who drilled the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1.  A few minutes later and Megan passed the ball through to Bobbi, but unfortunately she didn’t get much power on her shot and it was comfortably held.  Cambridge themselves were looking for the winner with Lily coming out to a dangerous through ball. At this point Sam had now moved to the striker's position and she just had a shot which hit the side netting, a few seconds later and the final whistle sounded.

Both sides had played well and a draw on balance was the right result.  The game allowed for the four new players to fit in with their new team mates and allowed Gerry and Paul to see which positions people are best suited to.

Many thanks to the Cambridge City team, manager and supporters for their hospitality and we wish them every success in the forthcoming season.

david watson

-