The FA Women’s super league newcomers Tottenham Women welcomed the 2016 champions to The Hive London. Fans came out in numbers to Edgware after the Christmas break with 1050 fans coming to see if the newcomers can take 3 points from the star-studded Manchester City Women which included World Cup Stars Ellie Roebuck, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, Ellen White and rising star Georgia Stanway.
Some of the 1050 in attendance at the Hive London
Tottenham Woman have been in fine form since debuting in the WSl in September sitting in 7th place but in reality should be much higher up the table but bad fortune in a couple of matches have prevented the Lilywhites being much further up the table but nonetheless the Tottenham players, staff and fans should be proud of their clubs achievements so far and will be hoping for a good start to 2020, a good run in the FA Cup fans will be hoping Tottenham can survive their first season in the FAWSL by remaining in the top flight.
Manchester City was always going to be a tough game due to the sheer experience in the Manchester City squad but Tottenham have held their own this season and made life difficult for the established teams of the Women’s Super League.
Tottenham had to remain calm and ease into the game giving Manchester City minimal chances but in the first minute City could have been 1 up when Lauren Hemp was denied by Becky Spencer but a minute later city were one up when Pauline Bremer slotted away a well worked goal for Manchester City.
The key for Tottenham were to remain calm and not make any errors but 2 minutes later things went from bad to worse for Tottenham when England international Ellen White scored to make it 2 with a shot from just inside the box into the top left to give city a comfortable 2 goal lead after 5 minutes. The game became more level as it went on with Tottenham cautiously pushing forward and on the 18th minute it paid off when Rianna Dean was fouled inside the box by Steph Houghton and won a penalty for Tottenham. In the 20th minute Rianna Dean converts the spot kick putting Tottenham back into the game but 7 minutes later city show their sheer experience and Pauline Bremer restored citys 2 goal cushion with her second of the game after a good run from Hemp down the left wing and Bremer meeting Hemps centered ball to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.
As the 2nd half came to a close things got worse for Tottenham when Lauren Hemp scored a 4th for city in the 44th minute after a well worked goal from Pauline Bremer after Ria Percival’s misplaced pass was given away to Bremer whos run split the Tottenham defence playing a pass to ELeen White who touched it through to Hemp to give city a 4-1 lead going into half time. In the second half Tottenham had to respond and they did with a double substitution at half time with Lucy Quinn replacing Chloe Peplow and new signing Emma Mitchell coming on for Siri Worm.
Pictured Emma Mitchell
The introduction of Mitchell certainly brought some much needed confidence and organisation to the Tottenham team. The second half was quite evenly balanced with both teams just creating half chances at best but overall I think Tottenham will be the happiness especially taking into consideration how the first half played out.
One can’t help to think what could have been had Tottenham played the whole game like in the 2nd half.
Tottenham definitely showed why they are in the WSL and not just here to make up numbers and why they have caused many established Super League teams a lot of problems this season but there is no use dwelling on what could have been. Tottenham started Shakey against a team containing many lionesses and on the second half performance Tottenham certainly held their own. Today was certainly a learning experience for many of these players and no doubt they will come back stronger. The only thing the team and fans can do is look to the future and focus on the next game against West Ham in 7 days time.
Player of the match
This one is tough as we saw two different Tottenham sides, I can’t speak highly enough of Emma Mitchell but she only played 45 minutes otherwise I would have chosen her but pipping her to my player of the match is Gemma Davidson (pictured below)
Tickets
Next Sunday 12th Tottenham are at home again and this time welcome West Ham to the Hive.
Tickets purchased in advance for the game will cost £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for concession tickets and are available for purchase over at http://spurs.to/LQ2QyK
Women's Soccer Fans 