The WSL is back, this week Tottenham welcomed Reading to the Hive. The big news for Tottenham fans was that X2 World Cup Winner was on the bench for the Lilywhites.
Conti Cup.
Tottenham faced off against Conti Cup holders Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday where the holders ran out 2-0 winners after a fantastic long-range strike from Erin Cuthbert and a late Melanie Leupolz penalty gave Chelsea a hard-fought victory.
Tottenham vs Reading.
Last year Tottenham faced off just once in the League against Reading due to Covid 19, unfortunately, Reading ran out 3-1 winners on the day with Siri Worm scoring Tottenham’s only goal for the away side. Tottenham still searching for their first 3 points of the season were looking to improve from last season. Highlights of that game can be viewed below.
Starting XI.
Tottenham opted for a 4-3-3 with Spencer in goal, Neville in at Right-back, Zadorsky and Harrop in the center of defence with Worm in at left-back. The Tottenham midfield was made of Percival, Green and Kennedy, with Addison, Ayane and Rianna Dean the goal machine making the front 3 for Tottenham.
Reading lined up in a 4-1-2-1-2 with Moloney in goal, Harding in at right-back, Bartrip and Cooper in at center back with former Tottenham loanee Emma Mitchell in at left-back for Reading. Jess Fishlock, Rowe and James made up the Reading midfield while Carter, Chaplen and Eikeland made up the Reading front 3.
Match Report.
After losing 4 out of their last 5 WSL games, Tottenham was desperate to take something against Reading. It was Reading that started the strongest out of the two teams and on the 3rd minute Reading could have gone ahead when James shot just wide of Spencer’s left post after a deep cross by Chaplen was met by James. On the 7th minute, Tottenham had a call for a penalty when a Siri Worm cross was chased by Percival who went down in the Reading box but the penalty was waved away by referee Helen Conley. In the 12th minute it was Reading again that was piling on the pressure when Fishlock’s clever pass found Mitchell who down the left flank, crossed into the box to be met by Chaplen who headed past Spencer to give Reading the lead. Many Tottenham fans must have been thinking here we go again as that goal gave Reading a lot of confidence as they began to dominate the game and possession as Tottenham struggled to push forward and create chances of their own. In the 24 minute, Tottenham finally began to grow into the game and in the 25th minute, Tottenham got their reward when a Siri Worm corner was met by Josie Green who flicked it to Rianna Dean who then flicked it onto Ashleigh Neville who headed past Moloney to draw Tottenham level. A minute later Tottenham looked for a 2nd when a smart turn by Rianna Dean on the edge of the Reading box lead to a good shot but it was just too comfortable for the Reading shot-stopper. Tottenham began to enjoy more possession and began to dominate the game since their equalizer. In the 30th minute Tottenham again came close to taking the lead when a Worm free-kick was met by Kennedy but her effort was comfortably saved by Moloney. The Tottenham goal certainly looked to have rocked Reading and gave Tottenham some much-needed confidence. Reading started to grow back into the game in the last few minutes of the half and in the 46th minute a Mitchell corner was met by Leine but her effect went over the bar untroubling Spencer in what should have been Reading’s 2nd of the game.
Tottenham made a substitute at half time with Lucia Leon coming on for Ayane. Reading started the 2nd half as they finished the first dominating possession and starting the strongest of the two teams but most of the play took part in the center of the midfield as both sets of midfielder’s tried to overpower the other. The first chance of the 2nd half didn’t come until the 59th minute and that chance fell to Reading’s Rowe when her shot went just wide of Spencer’s left post for a goal-kick. The 63rd minute saw Tottenham make their 2nd substitute of the game when Elisha Sulola came on for Alanna Kennedy. Both teams midfield’s were working extra hard as most of the play continued in the center of the field with both teams creating nothing more than half chances. In the 69th minute the moment Tottenham fans had been waiting for finally happened when Alex Morgan came on for Rianna Dean.
A minute later Tottenham came close to taking the lead with another Siri Worm was met by Harop but her shot went just wide of Moloney’s goal. Tottenham began to grow into the game, it was as if the introduction of Alex Morgan gave the team new life and confidence as neither team looked like they wanted to settle for a draw as they both searched for a winner but neither team were able to create any clear chances due to the hard work both sets of midfield’s had put in. Reading again looked to end the half as they started by again dominating the possession and looking to snatch a winner at the end and that almost came true in the 90th minute when Lily Woodham found herself one on one with Becky Spencer but Spencer stood strong to save Woodham’s effort to keep the game at 1-1 at the death.
Player of the match.
For us three players stood out, Angela Addison, Shelina Zadrosky and Siri Worm. All three players gave everything against a strong Reading team but due to setting up the goal, causing Reading a lot of problems and being solid at the back our player of the match goes to Siri Worm.
Post match analysis.
It has been a tough season so far for Tottenham fans, We have signed some fantastic players yet before today have just recorded one point in 5 WSl matches. Tottenham have been improving slowly and the only positive is that the 4 WSL defeats in a row have been against teams expected to finish in the top 5. I think Tottenham demonstrated today how far they have come because Reading has proved to be a tough team in the WSL beating Tottenham 5-1 in the 2019-20 Conti Cup and 3-1 in the 2019-20 WSL. We all know the negative effect that defeats can have on team morale and as much as they will be frustrated at the way they have lost certain games or given games away Tottenham have shown much improvement and I think the team will return to winning ways in the coming weeks. Tottenham today showed great compactness in defence, with great spirit to attack and look to create chances. Tottenham are still missing something in the final third but they have improved in this area greatly since matchday 2 against Everton. I think the major talking point today is that baby horse Alex Morgan finally made her debut for Tottenham in the final 20 minutes. We can’t expect too much from Morgan too soon since it has been a year since she has played professionally and it will take her a little time to get back into the swing of things. Also, we have to remember that in the 25 minutes Morgan played in she didn’t get any service except for a couple of passes from pocket rocket Angela Addison. Alex Morgan’s presence seemed to have breathed some new life into the team as when she came on Tottenham seemed like a new team. I have no doubt that Alex will find her feet again soon and Tottenham will get their first WSL victory of the season very soon.
Next match.
Tottenham’s next match is away to Bristol City in Women’s weekend on Saturday, November 14th at 18:30 live on the FA Player before the teams break for 2 weeks. Tottenham must start winning soon and have no doubt Tottenham will get their first 3 point next week COYS!!
Women's Soccer Fans 