A first-half wonder-strike from Mana Iwabuchi saw Spurs Women fall to a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa Women at the Banks's Stadium in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on Saturday.
Iwabuchi drilled a fierce effort from distance past Aurora Mikalsen in the 12th minute and despite a flurry of chances and a strong hold on possession we failed to equalise on a difficult and frustrating afternoon.
Rehanne Skinner handed So-hyun Cho her debut after signing from West Ham on loan and Rianna Dean her first start of 2021 as we made two changes from the side that lost to Chelsea last weekend.
Despite us starting the game quickly, with lots of possession in the Aston Villa half, the hosts went a goal up after Iwabuchi picked up a loose ball and fired a shot from the edge of the box which flew into the top corner.
Angela Addison nearly got an instant equaliser with a lofted effort from 40 yards out after intercepting Lisa Weiss’ clearance, but despite the goalkeeper scrambling backwards, the ball ended up wide of the goal. As the first half progressed we continued to control the game with chances falling to Kit Graham and Alanna Kennedy.
Graham was a real bright spark, battling hard in the midfield and linking up play well. A nicely-worked short corner between her and Dean was crossed to Kennedy, but her header was straight at Weiss.
The Australian international had the final chance of the first half, striking a volley from the edge of the penalty area, but she was unable to catch it properly and the ball bounced wide of the Villa goal.
Skinner decided to make a double change at the break with Jess Naz and Rosella Ayane replacing Addison and Dean, and we began the second half with the same intent as we ended the first. Graham came close with a looping effort from distance which went narrowly over the crossbar.
Villa did get a chance midway through the second half to double their lead, when Silva latched onto a stray back-pass and was fouled by Mikalsen. The referee issued her a yellow card, but Iwabuchi fired the resulting free-kick wide of the goal.
Despite plenty of possession in the final 20 minutes we were unable to break Villa’s resolve. Cho came closest to equalising in the ninth minute of injury time, firing the ball over the crossbar from Quinn’s low cross - which was arguably our best chance of the game.
Our next match sees us welcome Bristol City to the Hive on Wednesday evening (10 February) - kick-off is 7.30pm and the match is available to watch live on The FA Player.
