A smooth performance saw Tottenham Ladies extend their run to four straight wins with four first half goals against Southend Ladies. It was a well oiled passing game that saw Spurs cut through the Southend side in the first half despite the pitch being very heavy in places. Tottenham opened the scoring in the ninth minute, when captain Jackie Fearon won the ball on the edge of the box and smashed in a shot that the keeper did well to parry, but Steph Lappen, playing despite suffering with flu, was on hand at the far post to stick the ball into the net. Three minutes later, a pass through the middle was latched onto by Zoella Freeman and taking the ball on thirty yards slipped it past the advancing goalie. Jenny Curtis, playing in an unusual advanced position, turned provider for Fearon in the next attack, but Jackie's shot just flew clear of the bar. With half an hour gone, Tottenham moved forward when Samantha Farnum won the ball on the right and fed Fearon on the wing. Her cross was pinpoint perfect for Zoella to race in to head Spurs goal number three. Farnum had a shot soon after herself from 20 yards, which produced a save from the keeper. Freeman's hat-trick was completed just before half time, when another through ball sliced the Southend rearguard open and Zoella rounded the keeper on the left and shot home into an unguarded net. With seconds before the break, Zoella went close again with a shot about a foot wide of the left hand post. At the break, Southend regrouped to prevent Spurs attacking so often and gave a better account of themselves. The Southend keeper was also inspired in the second half to deny Spurs adding to their score. Curtis had a good header saved before Jenny put in Lappen to hit a rasping shot that the keeper turned aside very well. With Lucy Auguste replacing Dom Clarke, who had a solid game in defence, Spurs looked to press on, but were grateful to 'H' Djoshkoun for a saving tackle in the Tottenham area. Fearon was finding good space wide on the right and another good cross was headed firmly by Auguste, but the keeper grabbed it high under the bar and she was in action just a minute later as Zoella fired in a low shot that was stopped low down. On 70 minutes, Lucy ran through, but was denied by the keeper coming out of her box. The ball fell to Samantha Farnum and her lob goalwards found Gill Blackmore in the six yard box, but her header was saved at point blank range by the Southend goalie. In fact, it was gill who came closest to adding a fifth with a 25 yarder that slapped off the crossbar and skimmed over. Auguste and Fearon twice tested the reflexes of the goalie and Lucy also curled one effort just wide of the target. It was a pleasing show by the Ladies, who were unable to improve to their goal difference due to a dogged second half performance by the Southend Ladies. Next week sees the visit of Dagenham and Redbridge, when the progress the team have made over the last few weeks will be put to the test.
