Spurs Women suffered a 4-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on Sunday (25 April).
An Ella Toone brace, Christen Press header and Jess Sigsworth strike gave United the lead before Alanna Kennedy pulled one back in injury time with a free-kick.
Rehanne Skinner made two changes from the side that beat Reading in the Women’s FA Cup last weekend. Abbie McManus, who is on loan from United, was ineligible and was replaced by Josie Green, while Ashleigh Neville made her first start since January in place of Esther Morgan.
We made a bright start to the match, pressing the hosts high up the pitch, but after nine minutes we went behind when Kirsty Hanson went past Neville to the byline and cut the ball back to Toone who squeezed her effort through a lot of bodies and beyond Becky Spencer.
United then doubled their lead with Toone involved again, receiving the ball from a corner on the right of the box, before sending an inviting delivery into the path of Press who headed home from close range.
Sigsworth made it 3-0 just after the 30 minute mark. We were unable to clear Hanson’s cross and the loose ball was fired into the net by the forward.
Our best chance of the first half came from Jess Naz after she combined with So-hyun Cho down the right and delivered an inviting cross towards the back post, but Ona Batlle cleared her lines well.
The hosts scored their fourth goal three minutes after the break when Kennedy was adjudged to have fouled Lucy Staniforth and Toone doubled her tally from the penalty spot.
Susbtitute Rosella Ayane caused United problems down our right, chipping a lovely pass towards Naz who was inches away from making contact with the ball. Spencer then prevented United from extending their lead with a good save from Press’ long-range strike and minutes later she tipped Hanson’s powerful effort over the bar too.
We got our consolation goal in the fourth minute of added time after Ayane did excellently to win a free-kick on the edge of the area. Kennedy stepped up and found the top corner to make it 4-1.
The result means we remain in eighth place. Our next game is against Chelsea at the Hive (Wednesday 5 May, 5.30pm).
