Coral-Jade spot on as Spurs Ladies clinch late win

Coral-Jade Haines stepped up to deliver a late, great three points for Spurs Ladies against Oxford United in the Women's Super League on Thursday night.

The midfielder kept her nerve to slot home from the penalty spot in the last minute to secure a 2-1 win and further strengthen the team's sixth place in their first season in WSL 2. Katie O'Leary was also on target.

They will now try to chase down London Bees, who are two points ahead in fifth having played a game more.

Spurs return to WSL 2 action and a game against Sheffield FC at Cheshunt FC on Sunday (2pm).

@coralhaines: "It felt amazing to score after a penalty I missed earlier in the season, especially winning the game in the last few minutes! It feels even better getting the win the girls deserved, they were unreal!"#COYS#SpursLadiespic.twitter.com/Lzt4f2bUE1

— Tottenham Hotspur Ladies (@ThlfcOfficial) April 19, 2018

ACTION SUMMARY 

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies’ persistence paid dividends at Court Place Farm as a late, dramatic 2-1 win at Oxford United saw them to a morale-boosting three points in the FA Women’s Super League 2.

Sarah Wiltshire tested Oxford as Spurs started well. The striker struck just wide, hit a dipper saved by Demi Lambourne and saw another effort deflected wide from Katie O'Leary's cross all inside 20 minutes.

A deserved lead followed on the half-hour. Ashleigh Neville’s tackle on the edge of the box saw Bianca Baptiste hit towards the near-post, Lambourne parried for O’Leary to fire into the roof of the net.

Lambourne tipped over Hannah Mackenzie's 30-yard lob and just before the break, Baptiste followed home Wiltshire's effort only to be denied by the offside flag.

Below: Katie O'Leary jumps for joy after opening the scoring - photo: Wu's Photography

The pattern continued in the second half - Spurs pressure. Ashleigh Neville and Ryah Vyse almost found O'Leary in dangerous positions, Wiltshire dipped a volley just wide and had another effort blocked after good work from Vyse, Coral-Jade Haines and O'Leary on the hour.

Oxford threatened when Hannah Short broke for a one-on-one but Renee Hector got back in time and Short hit straight at Chloe Morgan. However, the home side were level on 71 minutes when Ella Franklin’s cross from the right was prodded home by Short.

Wendy Martin went close and Josie Green almost set-up Baptiste as time ran out. In the final minute, Neville was upended in the area and Haines took responsibility from the spot, sending Lambourne the wrong way for the winner.

Report from Khalid Karimullah at Oxford City FC, Court Place Farm
Photographs with thanks to Wu's Photography  

MATCH DATA 

Oxford United Women: 1. Demi Lambourne, 5. Riva Casley, 27. Danielle Carlton, 13. Ellis Hillman, 7. Ella Franklin, 20. Sophie Baker, 18. Taome Oliver, 16. Ellie Noble (40. Imogen Lancaster 57), 15. Chloe Chivers (21. Flo Fyfe 88), 34. Hannah Short, 17. Emily Allen. Substitutes (not used): 12. Lucy Thomas, 25. Jess Graham, 3. Corinne Yorston.

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies: 21. Chloe Morgan, 29. Ashleigh Neville, 6. Renee Hector, 11. Jenna Schillaci, 19. Ryah Vyse, 4. Josie Green, 12. Hannah Mackenzie (5. Sophie Mclean 65), 23. Coral-Jade Haines, 7. Sarah Wiltshire (17. Lauren Pickett 76), 14. Katie O’Leary (10. Wendy Martin 73), 8. Bianca Baptiste. Substitute (not used): 34. Rea Laudat.