Spurs Ladies win a thriller against Durham

Spurs Ladies would not be denied one of their best wins of the Women's Super League 2 season on Sunday.

With legendary former captain and Club Ambassador Ledley King watching at Cheshunt FC, everything looked to be going to plan when they sailed into a 3-0 lead against fourth-placed Durham thanks to Bianca Baptiste's double and Wendy Martin.

However, Durham came firing back to level at 3-3 10 minutes into the second half.

Momentum was against Karen Hills' team but they managed to turn it around as a belter from Sarah Wiltshire and late goals from Ronnell Humes and Lucia Leon secured a fine 6-3 success.

Below: Ledley talks to the Spurs squad pre-match

"I thought we were outstanding," said Karen. "I think every one of the players played an eight, nine or 10 out of 10 game and that's why we won.

"The players were disappointed with their performance last week (in a 4-2 loss against Sheffield) and they've worked hard in training this week to put it right."

Ledley King was at the match to give his support to Girls' Football Week with special appearances from Olympic hockey gold medallists, Spurs fan Helen Richardson-Walsh and Hannah Macleod.

Below: Ledley signs autographs at the game

Action summary

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies’ determination for three points at Cheshunt Football Ground quickly came to fruition following three goals inside six minutes. And although Durham Women clawed it back to 3-3, The Lilywhites soon put the result beyond any doubt with a 6-3 win, to inspire on a day which marked the Club’s celebration of Disney’s Girls’ Football Week.    

Within two minutes, Coral-Jade Haines sent Sarah Wiltshire away and her cross was back-heeled across goal and over the line for the opener by Wendy Martin.

Three minutes later, Bianca Baptiste’s corner evaded a packed penalty box and flew in over Helen Alderson for 2-0.

A minute on, Baptiste grabbed a brace when she latched onto loose possession and slotted past Alderson for 3-0.

Ashleigh Neville struck the post on 19 minutes but as Durham started to get into the game, Rachel Lee’s acrobatic volley from distance was tipped over by the quick reflexes of Toni-Anne Wayne.

A minute later, Zoe Ness broke away for a one-on-one, but a combination of Renee Hector and Jenna Schillaci’s pressure sent the shot wide. 

Below: Sarah Wiltshire drives forward against Watford - photo: Wu's Photography  

Sophie Mclean went close but on the stroke of half-time, Hepple reduced the deficit with a powerful strike.

Five minutes into the second half, Nicki Gears drifted into the box from the inside right and curled across goal to make it 3-2. Wayne tipped over from Becky Salicki but from the resulting corner, Gears prodded in from close range for 3-3.

Wiltshire turned the game back in Spurs' favour with a second spectacular effort in as many weeks, a dipping screamer into the corner to restore the lead on 64 minutes.

Baptiste’s free-kick from 30-yards narrowly evaded the left post two minutes later.

Neville blocked Emily Roberts’ strike inside the box and her follow up was tipped over by Wayne on 78 minutes.

Ronnell Humes, on for four minutes, guided in Baptiste’s left-sided cross at the back-post for 5-3 on 83 minutes.

In stoppage time, Lucia Leon wrapped up the game when Baptiste’s right-sided cross found the Spanish international who hit home on her return to action.

Report from Khalid Karimullah at Cheshunt Football Ground, Theobalds Lane
Photographs with thanks to Wu's Photography 

Match data

Spurs Ladies: 1. Toni-Anne Wayne, 19. Ryah Vyse, 6. Renee Hector, 11. Jenna Schillaci (C), 29. Ashleigh Neville, 4. Josie Green, 5. Sophie Mclean (12. Hannah Mackenzie 87), 23. Coral-Jade Haines (2. Lucia Leon 60), 7. Sarah Wiltshire (24. Ronnell Humes 79), 8. Bianca Baptiste, 10. Wendy Martin. Substitutes (not used): 21. Chloe Morgan, 14. Katie O’Leary, 34. Rea Laudat.

Durham Women: 1. Helen Alderson (13. Megan Borthwick 19), 23. Kathryn Hill, 5. Sarah Wilson, 14. Becky Salicki, 3. Annabel Johnson (20. Lauren Briggs 75), 6. Sarah Robson, 96. Rachel Lee, 7. Beth Hepple, 11. Jordan Atkinson (17. Emily Roberts 60), 9. Nicki Gears, 8. Zoe Ness. Substitutes (not used): 4. Grace McCatty.