Ladies latest - Belles in FA Cup, narrow loss to Brighton

Spurs Ladies have been drawn against Doncaster Belles in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

As a Women’s Super League club, it's the first time Spurs have entered the competition at this stage and they will be attempting to reach the fifth round for the third time in the Club’s history.

It’s a tough task though - the famous Belles are currently top of WSL 2, unbeaten after seven games and beat Spurs 4-1 in November.

Ties are scheduled for Sunday 4 February.

Women's FA Cup - 4th Round Draw

1 Durham v Sheffield FC
2 Aston Villa v Middlesbrough
3 Sunderland v Derby County or Brighouse Town
4 Keynsham Town v Lewes
5 Tottenham Hotspur v Doncaster Rovers Belles
6 Liverpool v Watford
7 Cardiff City v Oxford United
8 The New Saints v Chichester City
9 Millwall v Coventry United
10 Reading v Birmingham City
11 Plymouth Argyle v Leicester City
12 Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
13 Blackburn Rovers v Charlton Athletic
14 Yeovil Town v Arsenal
15 London Bees v Chelsea
16 Everton v Bristol City

Back in WSL Action

Spurs Ladies returned to action for the first time in 2018 on Sunday with a WSL 2 match against Brighton at Cheshunt FC.

Below: Lucia Leon leaps over this tackle against Brighton - photo: Wu's Photography

Action Summary

Spurs Ladies threw everything at Brighton in the second half but couldn't find the goal their play deserved as they suffered a 1-0 defeat in WSL 2.

The Seagulls took the lead with 10 minutes on the clock as Sophie Perry powered in her free-kick from just outside the area. That goal proved the difference.

Brighton had a goal disallowed before Sarah Wiltshire and Ronnell Humes just failed to connect with Lucia Leon's cross.

The visitors responded as Chloe Morgan saved from Fliss Gibbons, the same player then headed wide from close range and Bronwen Thomas rifled a shot just over.

Spurs came out with added impetus in the second half. Bianca Baptiste struck over, Lucy Gillett clawed away Jenna Schillaci's free-kick and the goalkeeper did well to save from Lauren Pickett, released by Sophie Mclean.

Baptiste fizzed in another volley, Gillett collected Wendy Martin's header and Wiltshire's dipper was again taken by Gillett on 90 minutes. The last action saw Chloe Morgan save well from Ini Umotong.

Report from Khalid Karimullah at Cheshunt FC, Theobalds Lane

Photographs with thanks to Wu's Photography

Line-ups

Spurs Ladies: 21. Chloe Morgan, 2. Lucia Leon, 6. Renee Hector, 11. Jenna Schillaci, 29. Ashleigh Neville, 21. Hannah Mackenzie (16. Maya Vio 45), 5. Sophie Mclean, 14. Katie O’Leary (10. Wendy Martin 67), 17. Lauren Pickett, 24. Ronnell Humes (8. Bianca Baptiste 58), 7. Sarah Wiltshire. Substitutes (not used): 1.Toni-Anne Wayne, 23. Coral-Jade Haines, 19. Ryah Vyse.

Brighton & Hove Albion: 1. Lucy Gillett, 18. Beth Roe, 3. Sophie Perry, 8. Kirsty Barton, 5. Laura Rafferty (6. Vicky Ashton-Jones 63), 12. Bronwen Thomas, 14. Jenna Legg (17. Natalie Taylor 84), 15. Fern Whelan, 9. Ini Umotong, 10. Kate Natkiel, 11. Fliss Gibbons. Substitutes (not used): 19. Laura Hartley, 24. Sophia Pharoah, 7. Lucy Somes, 2. Amelia Richie.

Attendance: 253.

Next Up

Spurs Ladies return to action in WSL 2 against Sheffield FC on Sunday 28 January.