Cup final blow for Spurs Ladies

Spurs Ladies' bid for four trophies this season was ended by old rivals Charlton in the Capital Cup Final on Tuesday night.

Already crowned FA Women's Premier League South champions, Spurs were chasing three cups - the Boux Avenue Cup already in the bag, the Capital Cup and League Cup.

However, Charlton, who ended Spurs' unbeaten record in the FAWPL on Sunday, made it back-to-back losses for Karen Hills' team at Wingate & Finchley FC.

Having played two cup finals so far this season - level at one apiece - the teams will continue their fascinating rivalry in the League Cup Final next month.

CAPITAL WOMEN'S CUP FINAL
Spurs Ladies 1-2 Charlton

Report from Khalid Karimullah at Wingate & Finchley FC
Photographs with thanks to Wu's Photography

Spurs Ladies’ perfect trophy hunt was stopped in its tracks last night following a 2-1 defeat to Capital Women’s Cup holders, Charlton Athletic at the Maurice Rebak Stadium. Despite taking the lead through Wendy Martin, The Lilywhites let their lead slip – something that hasn’t been accustomed to this team.

Renee Hector pinpointed towards Bianca Baptiste bursting down the right channel, her byline cross looking for Martin at the near post was just hooked away by Rosey Sullivan. Hector’s drilled free-kick to the six-yard box was taken off the head of Martin by Sullivan, Baptiste followed-up curling into the hands of Alex Baker.

Baptiste hustled Katie Flack for possession, floated a cross attempting to meet Martin’s diving header, only for Sullivan to get ahead and stoop the danger clear.

Kit Graham looked to play Gemma Shepherd making the run in behind, Riana Soobadoo tracked back covering ground and read the pass. Kim Dixson struck her free-kick from distance which crashed off the wall towards Sullivan, who curled wide of the top right from just inside the area.

Avilla Bergin broke on a counter attempting to slip in Shepherd pacing through on goal, Sophie Mclean managed to get the vital touch to cut out a one-on-one.

Josie Green burst forward, dropped a delightful curler inside the six-yard box for Baptiste, who came within inches on the slide of turning home. Graham played Shepherd to the inside right, she recycled the pass back, who found Soobadoo on hand to steer clear with a diving challenge.

It took just three minutes after the restart for Karen Hills’ team to get in front. Baptiste crossed from the right flank towards Martin who headed over Baker.

Below: Katie O'Leary battles for possession

Shepherd latched onto loose possession, rolled across to Graham who blazed over from six-yards. Jenna Schillaci’s deep free-kick was punched by Baker only as far as Hector, whose header found the roof of the net.

Leah Rawle crossed towards Nikita Whinnett inside the area, she laid-off to Mclean who fired over from 20-yards.

The equaliser arrived on the stroke of an hour. Dixson’s free-kick was punched away by Toni-Anne Wayne, Flack looped a pass towards the far-post with Charley Clifford getting the vital touch to guide the ball over the line.

Clifford headed towards Bergin breaking away, who on the stretch guided wide across goal. Baker’s goal-kick made its way through to Graham, who set the shot, placing wide with Wayne off her line.

Twelve minutes from time, Bergin broke to the inside left rolling across to Graham who powered in from close range. Hector’s zipped, 25-yard free-kick had Baker concerned just evading the upright.

Baptiste had a glorious chance in the dying minutes. Pacing through on goal, she struck wide with Kelley Blanchflower and Martin on the stretch unable to turn in.

Spurs Ladies: 1. Toni-Anne Wayne, 2. Lucia Leon, 19. Renee Hector, 11. Jenna Schillaci, 3. Leah Rawle (18. Eartha Pond 87’’), 7. Josie Green, 5. Sophie Mclean, 12. Riana Soobadoo (14. Katie O’Leary 66’’), 8. Bianca Baptiste, 10. Wendy Martin, 9. Nikita Whinnett (20. Kelley Blanchflower 84’’). Substitutes (not used): 13. Megen Lynch, 4. Shannon Moloney.