The culture of accountability that’s been created at Spurs Ladies was evident against similarly high-flying Coventry United Ladies, as Karen Hills’ outfit took home three points in a deserved 1-0 win.
The hosts edged the opening minutes, Laura Cooper’s low driven free-kick was held onto by Toni-Anne Wayne who ensured there was no spillage with a multitude of players lying in wait. The Lilywhites soon found their feet, Jenna Schillaci’s floated corner arrived towards Renee Hector at the back-post who struck with a lot of clout forcing a palm-stinging save from Susan Wood.
Nikita Whinnett burst down the left lopping a cross up to Wendy Martin whose directed header found Lucia Leon, but her attempted volley from just inside the area was blocked by Anna Wilcox. Martin’s low strike from an angle was denied by Wood’s legs, before her perfectly-weighted pass looking for the overlapping Bianca Baptiste made Wood rush out of her box to clear the danger.
Another well-delivered Schillaci corner found Riana Soobadoo 18-yards from goal whose attempted lob was caught by a pressured Wood. Amber Hughes led a counter at the other end finding Helen Dermody, but her dipping volley went wide of Wayne’s right-hand post.
Leah Rawle and Baptiste recycled possession on the left flank as the latter curled a pass through towards Martin, who lined up for a shot, but Wilcox was there again just managing to poke the danger clear.
The all-important breakthrough arrived one minute from half-time, Baptiste’s delivery from the inside left channel was met by Hector who emphatically headed Spurs in front.
Following the restart, Schillaci’s curled free-kick was palmed out to Martin who just couldn’t get her shot away with Wood gathering on the second attempt. Martin connected with Leah’s surging run and cross guiding her header to Leon, whose low drive was blocked by Nikki Miles. Sophie Mclean tracked Alison Hall’s counter inside Tottenham’s half denying any danger developing. Dermody failed to take advantage firing over without pressure after a fortuitous bobble saw Jade Brooks deflected cross find her on the edge of the box.
With the hosts gaining momentum, Ashleigh Neville struck from 25-yards which rattled the crossbar allowing Wayne to gather the dipping ball. Schillaci zipped a free-kick inches past the left-hand post before two nail-biting chances were fashioned. First Hughes burst into the area which saw Josie Green make a vital block on the stretch, Marie Gauntlett then powered her way to within six-yards from goal, howbeit Rawle made an acrobatic last-ditch challenge to deny her.
Spurs Ladies: Toni-Anne Wayne, Lucia Leon, Jenna Schillaci, Renee Hector, Leah Rawle, Josie Green, Sophie Mclean, Riana Soobadoo, Bianca Baptiste (Maya Vio 83), Wendy Martin, Nikita Whinnett (Cheryl Williams 73). Substitutes (unsed): Megen Lynch, Eartha Pond, Kelley Blanchflower.
