'Belief key for us' - Karen Hills after Spurs Ladies' loss to Lionesses

Karen Hills is calling on Spurs Ladies to believe in themselves as they aim to break their toughest spell so far in the Women's Super League.

Promoted to WSL 2 last season, Spurs made a bright start in both league and WSL Continental Cup competitions but have now lost five on the trot following Sunday's 4-1 reverse at Millwall.

However, there are no alarm bells ringing as the team sit mid-table in WSL 2 with 11 of 18 matches to go.

If anything, it's the opposite with manager Karen feeling that her players deserve more for their recent performances.

That was the case again despite a 4-1 final scoreline against the Lionesses as Spurs were in the running for a win before Millwall forged ahead 2-1 on 72 minutes and went on to add two more in the latter stages.

"We're playing well but we know at this level we have to take advantage when we're having the better of matches," said Karen.

"We deserved our equaliser after conceding early and I was really impressed with how we clawed ourselves back into the game.

"We had chances after that so it was so disappointing how the game panned out. We deserved more.

"Now it's all about belief. We're playing well and we have to convert those performances into positive results. I'm confident we'll do that."

Below: Spurs Ladies line-up at Millwall - photo: Wu's Photography

Action Summary

Spurs Ladies’ attempts to tame The Lionesses fell short in a 4-1 reverse to Millwall in Women's Super League 2 at St Paul’s Sports Ground on Sunday.

Millwall took an early lead when Amber Gaylor met Billie Brooks’ deep free-kick with a header with just four minutes on the clock.

Despite conceding early, Spurs gathered momentum. Wendy Martin, Coral-Jade Haines and Sarah Wiltshire all had efforts at goal by 12 minutes with Haines and Wiltshire both denied again inside the opening half-hour.

Martin almost connected with Lucia Leon's cross and Millwall goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill palmed away Renee Hector's header and Wiltshire's free-kick before the break.

Spurs’ pressure paid dividends in the 54th minute. Haines’ perfectly-weighted pass dropped to Wiltshire drifting into the area and she fired into the far corner to equalise. The same player came close to a second eight minutes later, firing just wide.

Millwall responded as Ashlee Hincks struck the crossbar from a free-kick and on 72 minutes, the hosts regained the lead. Charlie Devlin, with time on the edge of the area, found the top corner.

Sophie Mclean almost levelled again but Millwall forged a two-goal lead on 83 minutes when Hincks’ cross was converted by Devlin. Hincks completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Report from Khalid Karimullah at Fisher FC, St Paul’s Sports Ground
Photographs with thanks to Wu's Photography

Below: Maya Vio in action

Match Stats

Millwall Lionesses: 1. Sarah Quantrill, 3. Megan Alexander, 5. Billie Brooks, 6. Leighanne Robe, 7. Bonnie Horwood, 8. Ashlee Hincks, 11. Amber Gaylor (32. Leanne Cowan 87), 12. Megan Wynne, 14. Georgie Giddings, 15. Ellie Mason (4. Leigh Nicol 65), 16. Ella Rutherford (10. Charlie Devlin 65). Substitutes (not used): 2. Jordan Butler, 9. Rianna Dean, 13. Simone Eligon, 22. Viki Wotton.

Spurs Ladies: 1.Toni-Anne Wayne, 2. Lucia Leon (5. Sophie Mclean 76), 6. Renee Hector, 11. Jenna Schillaci, 29. Ashleigh Neville (7. Josie Green 87), 12. Hannah Mackenzie (17. Lauren Pickett 76), 16. Maya Vio, 23. Coral-Jade Haines, 14. Katie O’Leary, 10. Wendy Martin, 7. Sarah Wiltshire. Substitutes (not used):  19. Ryah Vyse, 21. Chloe Morgan.

Next up

Spurs travel to Sheffield FC in WSL 2 on Sunday 28 January.