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Tottenham travelled away to Leigh Sports Village and face fellow super league newbies Manchester United women. Tottenham are looking for their first win against last year’s FA Women’s Championship winners after being defeated 4-1 and 1-5 in last years championship and 0-3 back in October at the Hive. Tottenham travel with high confidence after defeating fellow London rivals West Ham with a powerful performance giving them much needed 3 points. Tottenham sit in 5th on 16 points while Manchester United sit in 6th with 15 points but having played 2 games less than the Lilywhites.

Tottenham opted for a change in their line-up by going with a 4-4-2 With Chloe Morgan in goal for the injured Becky Spencer. Emma Mitchell at left back, Anna Filby, Hannah Godfrey in the centre and Ashleigh Neville at right back. Tottenham opted for Gemma Davidson down the left wing with Ria Percival and Josie Green in the centre of midfield and Angela Addison coming into the team on the right wing. Up front the coaches went with Rianna Dean and Lucy Quinn. Manchester United also went with a 4-4-2 with Earps in goal, Smith, Turner, Mcmanus and Turner in the defence. The United midfield was occupied by Ladd, Groenen, Ross and Galton, with Zelem and Sigsworth up front for 2018/19 Championship champions.

Old Rivery, new league!

As most expected united started the stronger team an enjoyed most of the possesssion but despite this United didn’t really cause Tottenham much trouble in the first half, YES United controlled but thats about it, Tottenham held their own and did their job in absorbing the United pressure and keeping the game at 0-0 in the first half. The first opportunity fell to the host in the 12th minute when Jane Ross took a shot inside the Tottennam area but it was straight at Chloe Morgan. 2 minutes later United came close again some sloppy Tottenham defending presented Jackie Groenen with an opportunity but her shot goes just wide of Chloe Morgans right post.

The always reliable Ashleigh Neville seemed to have started the game a little nervous and seemed overwhelmed as most of United’s danger was coming down her side but after 25 minute she seemed her regular dependable self again and began getting into the game and stopping United’s attacks coming through. The 25th minute saw Tottenhams first real chance when captain Josie Green took a long range shot which was saved by Mary Earps. United again dominated possession with Tottenham only able to counter up to the half way line before being physically beat for the ball by United’s midfielders. The only Tottenham player that looked like she could create something was Lucy Quinn, but everytime she got the ball from defence and began a counter attack she was unsupported by any team mates and muscled out which a lot of the times can be seen as fouls against United but the referee Edward Duckworth wasn’t interested. The 35th minute saw Tottenham attack United but Gemma Davidson’s shot from outside the box flew up and over resulting in a goal kick to United. The 43rd could have seen Tottenham go one down when Jane Ross’s hard shot is brilliant saved by Chloe Morgan. The United corner was wasted and Tottenham break with Lucy Quinn who again was muscled out of possession at the halfway line.

Manchester United started the 2nd half as they started the first with dominating possession but not doing much with the ball and it wasn’t until the 53rd minute that United had their first chance of the 2nd half when Katie Zelem’s shot from outside the box straight into Chloe Morgan’s hands. A minute later Tottenham broke again and Gemma Davidson created something out of nothing finding Rianna Dean whose shot was bravely saved by Mary Earpes to keep United in the game. The 55th minute saw Tottenham make their first change of the game bringing on Kit Graham for Angela Addison, a minute later saw a moment of madness when United were on the attack in the Tottenham area when the referee blew his whisle, Tottenham players believed it was for offside but instead the referee gave a penalty to United, everyone was unsure what it was for, was their a pull in the area or a handball? nonetheless the penalty was given and Katie Zelem converted the spot kick giving united a 1-0 lead. The 59th minute saw Rosella Ayane come on for Lucy Quinn and the 64th minute saw Manchester United double their lead when Jackie Groenen’s corner is tapped in at the far right post by Jessica Sigsworth after Tottenham’s defence was caught ball watching and were punished for it.

Maybe this was the wake up call Tottenham needed, because a minute later Tottenham could have gotten themselves back into the game when Emma Mitchell’s shot hit the crossbar and the rebound fell to Kit Graham but her shot was hit a little too hard and went over the bar for a goal kick. 3 minutes later Totteham went close again this time Rianna Dean’s effort from inside the area hitting Mary Earps’s bottom left hand post. Tottenham showing why they are 5th in the super league and that they are here to stay but it’s just wasn’t meant to be. The 82nd minute saw Lucia Leon come on for Anna Filby and a minute later in the 83rd Hannah Godfrey lunged for a loose ball just outside the Tottenham area and caught Hailey Ladd who accidently caught Godfrey in the back of the head as she went down resulting in a yellow card for the Tottenham defender. After the medical team checked that Hannah Godfrey was okay after the knock to the back of the head Katie Zelem bends the freekick around the Tottenham wall and scores United’s 3rd into Chloe Morgan’s bottom left hand corner to give United a 3-0 lead. Football is a very strange sport, from almost being level Tottenham found themselves 3-0 down. Finally the referee gave 5 minutes injury time and in the 93rd minute Ella Toone was given a straight red for an off the ball incident which resulted in a 6 woman scuffle which also saw Ria Percival get booked for her involvement.

Woman Of The Match.

This is a tough one because personally in the first half the only Tottenham player that looked like she could create something was Lucy Quinn but she was taken off in the 2nd half and Hannah Godfrey was solid at the back for Tottenham and did her best to stop the United attack even though her challenge on Ladd resulted in United’s 3rd goal so just because she played more minutes my woman of the match is Hannah Godfrey (pictured below).

Analysis.

We all knew it was going to be a tough match as these matches against United have always been tough and except for having more possession Tottenahm held their ground against last years Championship winners. Yes United looked physcially stronger as Lucy Quinn found out everytime she was bundled down at the half way line but United’s game plan looked quite basic by just trying to be quick down the wing, centering and hoping Zelem or Sigsworth would be there in the middle to pick up any loose balls if the Tottenham defence were to make a mistake or be caught ball watching which except for United’s 2nd goal the Tottenham defence dealt with every corner and cross perfectly. Like I said before yes Manchester United dominated possession but they didn’t do anything with that possession, the first half saw them have a couple of half chances the best effort being a Jane Ross shot in the 43rd minute. United started the 2nd half like they started the first but being the home team and needed to create more than half chances and for me the turning point was the penalty. I am still unsure of what happened or why it was given but nonetheless it was given and converted, a few minutes later Tottenham were caught ball watching from a corner, was it nerves, was it tireness or was it the weather as it was very misty out there who knows but Tottenham responded the best possible way which was by attacking the hosts with all they had and it worked for a while Tottenham pinned United back and Tottenham’s Emma Mitchell hit the bar and 3 minutes later Rianna Dean hit the post and Tottenham SHOULD have been level at 2-2 fighting for the 3 points instead saw themselves 15 minutes later 3-0 down and looked like they were leaving Leigh Sports Village with zero points.

A beautiful game with a cruel ending.

Football can be such a beautiful game but at the same time it can be so cruel as the Lilywhites found out today, I think the result is not a true reflection of what happened out on that pitch and every single Tottenham Women’s football fan can be 100% proud of these women today as it was obvious they gave everything but luck just wasn’t on our side today but now the ladies MUST pick themselves up, learn from today and focus on Barnsley in the FA Cup next Sunday and continue their push in remaining in the WSL. You can watch coach Juan Carlos Amoros and captain Josie Greens post match reactions below.

Ticketing

Tottenham’s next home game is in the FA Cup at the Hive in London at 1pm! Tickets for the match are priced at £5 or adults and £1 concession if purchased in advanced. *NOTE* Tickets for the FA Cup are not included with the season ticket so tickets WILL need to be purchased in advanced for a discount rate or for extra fee from the Hive’s box office on the match day. Advanced tickets can be purchased at spurs.to/aMm0fm so be sure to get your tickets early so you don’t miss out on a magical day and REMEMBER the ladies need us all out there next Sunday spurring them on COYSW.

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It’s derby day and even though taking place is one of the oldest riveries not only in London but in England one could sense the atmosphere was different. I have attended many mens derbys in the past such as Barcelona v Espanyol, Barcelona v Real Madrid, Tottenham v West Ham, Tottenham v Chelsea and Tottenham v Arsenal and one can always sense the hostility. This year I have attended West Ham v Tottenham at the London stadium and Tottenham v Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and today as well as the previous two WSL womens derby matches has much more of a family feel to them leaving all the hostility of the mens game behind allowing for these matches to be much more kid friendly.

The atmospher was electric at the London stadium back in September as well at the North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in October but had a different feel than what one may be used to, it felt cosy, there was no trouble and I witnessed rival fans sitting together, laughing and drinking pre and post match. Instead of the usual hostility we have come to know as the norm everyone instead came out to to celebrate womens football/soccer and just have a good fun family day out which is what this sport is all about. Even though this match was taking place at a much smaller stadium it was still a derby with a lot to play for both teams who were sitting in 7th and 8th position before kick off but it was great to see that positive famly feel from the previous derbys transfer to the Hive London for this derby.

So it’s match day and West Ham were the visitors this time, Tottenham were coming off a defeat to Manchester City and West Ham’s match against Everton was prosponed due to high levels of illness in the West Ham camp. Before the match Tottenham sat in 7th position while West Ham sat in 8th with two games less so nothing less than a victory would be good enough for the Lilywhites if they are to continue their push to survive their first season in the Womens Super League. Tottenham lined up with a 4-2-3-1 which saw Spencer in goal, the defensive unit consisted of Neville at right back with Godfrey and Filbey in the centre and loanee Emma Mitchell at left back, defensive midfielders today were Josie Green & Ria Percival and the attacking unit of consisted of Gemma Davidson down the right, Kit Graham in the centre and Rosella Ayane down the left wing leaving Rianna Dean as a lone central striker. West Ham lined up with a 4-3-3 with Brosnan in goal, Vetterlein, Fisk, Flaherty and Kvamme in defence, Longhurst, Middag and Dali in midfield as Leon, Thomas and Lehmann occupied the forward positions.

This match was always going to be tough and West Ham were always going to have to be cautious due to losing both previous meetings between these two clubs. The match was very even between the two teams with both midfields having to work extra hard to gain an advantage, The first 30 minutes didn’t see much except for a few stoppages first Kit Graham went down after a clash with West Ham Keeper Courtney Brosnan after Brosnan’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Graham who played through Rosella Ayane.

The 9th minute saw the game stop again this time to an injury to Becky Spencer in the Tottenham goal after a Adrianna Leon half chance for West Ham. Even though it was a pretty even first half an hour Tottenham always looked the most likely to score and in the 30th minute thats exactly what happened when loanee Emma Mitchell scored a thunderous goal with a shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner to give Tottenham a 1 – 0 lead.

I’ve said before how much I like Mitchell, she has brought a sense of confidence and organisation to the defence and is becoming a leader on the pitch in the short amount of time she’s been at Tottenham. We should have been 2 up before the break when in the 40th minute Rosella Ayane’s header hit the crossbar in what should have been Tottenham’s second but it just wasn’t meant to be and the half ended with Tottenham just up by one at the break.

Half time saw Chloe Morgan replace Becky Spencer in goal, the second half started just like the first with both teams battling for the midfield making it a very even start to the 2nd half. The 55th minute saw a long delay when Kate Longhurst went down and the medical team rush to assist her. No one really knew what had happened and whether Kate Longhurst had collapesed or what but this caused a long delay in play righty so as a players health has to come first and both sets of medical teams had to be sure Longhurst was okay to continue. The outcome forced West Ham into a double substitution with Jacynta coming on for the the very quick and dangerous Adrianna Leon and Julia Simic coming on for Kate Longhurst. Right as play resumed Tottenham continued to apply pressure to West Ham and in the 62nd minute Rosella Ayana came close again to doubling Tottenham’s lead but her shot flew wide over the bar. 7 minutes later Tottenham came close again when Gemma Davidson’s free-kick was played to Rosella Ayana but her shot was blocked before I fell to Rianna Dean who was denied by a fine save by Courney Brosnan. The 72 minute saw Tottenhams 2nd change of the match with Lucy Quinn coming on for Kit Graham as the last 20 minutes seemed to play out even with a 1-0 win for Spurs. Angela Addison came on for Rosella Ayana in the 85th minute and in the 86th West Ham came close to levelling the game when Marta runs onto a chipped ball but Chloe Morgan was there to meet the ball before any serious danger could come from the attack. West Hams persistence late in the game finally paid off for the visitors when in the 90th minute Kenza Dali’s strike levels it for West Ham to make it 1-1.

The 4th official signals a minimum of 9 minutes injury time will be played due to the injury to Kate Longhurst and other stoppages. Both teams were trying to push forward looking for a winner but two very stubborn midfields made life very difficult for bot sets of attackers. The game looked like it was going to end in a draw, a first point for West Ham vs Tottenham who up to now have enjoyed the upper hand on their London rivals but then in th 86th minute Rianna Dean headers Tottenham back in front after Lucy Quinn steals the ball in midfield plays through Angela Addison who’s wonderful run down the left crosses into the box for Rianna Dean to freely header the ball into the right top corner to win it at the death for the Lilywhites giving Tottenham a much needed victory and pushing them up to 5th in the table.

Player of the match.

It was a very tough match for both teams and every single player gave 100% but overall the player of the match has to go to Rosella Ayana (pictured below) she caused West Ham’s defence many problems with her quick skillful ageility and her defence splitting balls and should have been rewarded with a goal of her own.

Tickets.

Up next for Tottenham is Manchester United away but on Sunday the 26th Tottenham are back at home in the FA Cup against Barnsley. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £1 for concession if purchased in advanced. *NOTE* FA Cup tickets are NOT included in Tottenham women season tickets and holders will need to purchase a sepearte ticket which can be purchased at spurs.to/LQ2QyK

Before touching on the first game of 2020 new broke yesterday January 3rd that Tottenham had signed Arsenal’s Scottish international defender Emma Mitchell on loan until the end of the season.

Pictured Emma Mitchell

Mitchell is a Scottish international that has made 119 appearances for the Super League champions since 2013 and has 60 caps for Scotland. I for one would like to say a huge welcome to Emma and I hope she has a great experience at Tottenham and I hope she turns out to be a good player for us, her first interview as a Tottenham player can be seen below

New year, same objective.

It’s 2020 and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League is back. Tottenham women welcome the 2016 champions to the Hive London this Sunday at 2pm *Tickets for the game can be purchased over at http://spurs.to/LQ2QyK with tickets going for £6.50 for adults and £3.50 got kids if purchased in advanced*.

Tottenham Women sit 7th in the table when in reality they should be much further up the table but luck hasn’t been on their side in many games since starting life in the WSL, I personally feel Tottenham have held their own and should have taken something from the home matches vs Manchester United and Arsenal as well as away matches to Chelsea and Birmingham but overall Tottenham women fans can be extremely proud of these Inspirational women with what they have achieved in 2019.

What will 2020 bring Tottenham women? Personally I believe Manchester City is probably one of the toughest games we could have wished for but we have to be positive. Most people don’t believe Tottenham stand a chance against the multi-talented former champions but this is football and we are Tottenham. The women in white have plenty of players capable of causing even the best teams real problems on the day but tactics will be vital in beating Manchester City.
With the departure of Furness and it being the first game of 2020 I feel Tottenham will need to get back into the groove of things resulting in Manchester City women taking this one BUT only just, they will certainly have to fight to take the 3 points and I will say it will be marginal with it ending 1-2 to the visitors.

Matchday information

• Turnstiles for sunday’s match will open at 12:30 (one and half hours before kick off at 2pm.
• A spurs retail van will make an appearance at the Hive for the first time this season.
• Giveaways for early arrivals such as postcards, stickers and facepaints.

Reading women vs Tottenham women 15/12/19 at Adams Park.
Tottenham women traveled away to reading for the final game of the year before the Christmas break and looking to end the year on a high after back to back wins with a 1-0 win against Brighton in the WSL and then thumping Lewes in the Continental cup 6-0.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for Tottenham who were outplayed by Reading from the start.
On loan midfielder Rachel Furness was missing for Tottenham due to taking on her parent club and her scrappy never give up attitude was hugely missed in the Tottenham midfield as Readings four consisting of Angharad James, Remi Allen, Jade Moore and Amalie Eikeland proved to much for Tottenham’s three woman midfield of Josie Green, Chloe Peplow and defender Ria Percival.

It wasn’t all Reading domination, Tottenham did create chances with Kit Gramham coming close with a left footed shot on 8 minutes before Reading countered and came close with a Farrah William resulting I’m Tottenham’s Becky spencer making two saves in a row to keep Tottenham at 0-0.

Tottenham’s three midfielders were being overpowered by Readings four resulting in very few runs down the wing. In the 14th minute Rianna Dean win a corner which unfortunately was wasted.

Tottenham escaped when a penalty shout for Reading in the 22nd minute was turned down by the officials, replays show that Hannah Godfrey may have has a hold of Remi Allen and pulled her down but referee Stacy Pearson was not interested and let play continue which lead to Rianna Dean coming close for Tottenham from a Corner in the 25th which was cleared off the line by Mayumi Pacheco. The rest of the half was pretty even with both teams creating half chances but neither team able to break the deadlock.

The 2nd half saw a lively for Tottenham taking just 6 minute to finally break the deadlock on the 51st minute with Kit Graham taking the corner finding Siri Worm outside the box and the Dutch international letting a thunderous shot fly from outside the box into the top left hand corner to give to Tottenham the lead.

The Tottenham goal definitely sparked Reading into action as they began to pile on the pressure and came close on the 64th minute when Becky Spencer was forced to make a point blank save from Eikeland after being squared up by Fara Williams and the consistent pressure finally paid if for Reading in the 77th minute when a Fara Williams corner slips through Becky Spencer’s hands in a congested penalty box and is tapped in at the far post by Jo Potter to put Reading level.

Reading should have been 2 up a minute later when Remi Allen’s thunderous header was saved incredibly from point blank range by Becky Spencer but unfortunately landing awkwardly on her left hip forcing Tottenham to have to make the change but what a way to leave the field with a world class save by Becky Spencer.

It was the 88th minute when Tottenham hearts were broken as Remi Allen latched into Angharad James headed flick on and tapped in fom point blank range to give Reading a deserving 2-1 lead.

The officials indicated a minimum of 10 minutes injury time will be played and the 92nd minute finally saw Tottenham make a much needed double substitute bringing on goal machines Lucy Quinn and Angela Addison for Siri Worm and Chloe Peplow but with 8 minutes left and needing 2 goals for the win these subs were a little too late and after pushing everyone forward looking for the equaliser Tottenham were punished late on in the 98th minute when a Gemma Davidson’s free kick was Intercepted by Reading and lead to a counter attack leaving Amalie Eikeland to run freely from the half way line with no one but Lucy Quinn chasing her back and scoring from just outside the 6 yard box to give Reading their 3rd of the night. After 100 minutes of football Tottenham end 2019 with a defeat and leave them sitting 7th in the Super League while Reading sit in 6th.

Post match analysis: Karen Hills

Woman of the match:
Ashleigh Neville

Reaction:
You have to feel for Tottenham, no one can fault their heart but Reading were just to strong on the day. Personally I believed Tottenham would take all 3 points and would end 2019 with a win but it just wasn’t meant to be…. Again. I feel there have been many games this season in which Tottenham should have taken more points from such as the home game against Manchester United, Arsenal as well as away games to chelsea and Birmingham but luck just hasn’t been on their side.
Overall I think us Tottenham fans can be happy and VERY proud of theses inspirational women as people need to remember that many of the Tottenham players have only been professional for less than 6 months while 10 other teams have been professional for longer.

Next up for Tottenham are the 2016 champions Manchester City at the Hive London on Sunday 5th January 2020.

Prediction:
I would love to see Tottenham take all 3 points against such a strong team but being realistic I think no one expects to our women to get much from this game but this is football and anything is possible.
Tottenham may be the underdogs for this game but the Tottenham women have certainly held their own so far and have shown the rest of the Women’s Super League that they are not here to make up the number and that they are here to stay, I wish the ladies best of luck and hope for a big turn out at the Hive to support out ladies COYSW.