Karen confident Spurs Ladies will turn form around

The message from Karen Hills is 'don't panic' as Spurs Ladies look to snap out of their first tricky run in years.

Sunday's 3-0 loss against Women's Super League 2 rivals Doncaster Belles in the Women's FA Cup made it seven defeats on the trot.

Nevertheless, manager Karen remains calm. "The team spirit is good, we're working hard and the players are giving everything," she said. "We have to believe we'll turn the corner.

"We're playing well, we're matching teams but it's the small details deciding games, particularly being clinical. That's often the difference and we knew that stepping up a level this season.

"As I said recently, we're learning every week. We're competing. I've no doubts that we will turn it around."

The next chance to do that is against Oxford United in WSL 2 at Cheshunt FC on Sunday.

Below: Josie Green breaks forward against Doncaster Belles (photo: WU's Photography)

Action Summary

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies saw their hopes of an SSE Women’s FA Cup run fade away in the fourth round after Doncaster Rovers Belles finished 3-0 winners at Cheshunt FC, but it wasn’t without a hard-fought effort against the FA WSL 2 table-toppers.

Bianca Baptiste had the first effort inside a minute but the Belles struck quickly to take the lead through Sophie Walton.

Nikki Davies kept out Bianca Baptiste, Sarah Wiltshire almost connected with Katie O'Leary's pass and at the other end, goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne denied Kirsty Hanson one-on-one - all that inside the opening 15 minutes.

Belles had a good spell midway through the first half and Wayne made another one-one-one save to deny Mayumi Pacheco. Just before the break, a key second goal for the visitors as Jess Sigsworth's cross was guided home by Emily Simpkins.

Wayne continued her fine form in goal in the early exchanges of the second half, keeping out Kirsty Hanson and Sigsworth with Baptiste pulling the trigger in-between, her effort blocked.

Debutant Rea Laudut almost sent Baptiste away on 79 minutes before Wayne's fine day took a turn for the worse - sent off following a clash with Sigsworth outside the box. Lucia Leon took over in goal and produced a save from Simpkins on 88 minutes.

The third goal arrived via Rebecca Rayner in the final minute.

Report from Khalid Karimullah at Cheshunt FC, Theobalds Lane
Photos with thanks to Wu's Photography

Line-ups

Spurs Ladies: 1. Toni-Anne Wayne, 2. Lucia Leon, 6. Renee Hector, 12. Hannah Mackenzie, 19. Ryah Vyse, 4. Josie Green (17. Lauren Pickett 90+3), 16. Maya Vio, 14. Katie O’Leary (24. Ronnell Humes 62), 10. Wendy Martin, 8. Bianca Baptiste, 7. Sarah Wiltshire (34. Rea Laudat 72).

Doncaster Rovers Belles: 1. Nikki Davies, 15. Rachel Newborough, 20. Sophie Bradley, 4. Leandra Little, 2. Mayumi Pacheco, 3. Sam Tierney, 8. Sophie Walton, 17. Emily Simpkins (10. Zoe Belding 89) 12. Rebecca Rayner, 7. Kirsty Hanson, 11. Jess Sigsworth (9. Monique Watson 87). Substitutes (unused): 13. Bethan Davies, 14. Izzy Whittle, 6. Chloe Peplow, 16. Emily Smith.

Next Up

Spurs Ladies return to WSL 2 action with the visit of Oxford United to Cheshunt FC on Sunday (2pm).