Fri 03 October 2014, 13:00
Tottenham HotspurKaren Hills is calling on Spurs Ladies to show their character on Sunday.
After starting the season with six straight wins, the team slipped to a second-successive defeat in the space of five days in the FA Women's Premier League South on Thursday night.
West Ham Ladies produced a textbook away performance to win 2-0 at Ware FC with goals after 78 and 90 minutes.
Spurs now face Portsmouth Ladies - currently second with five wins in six - back at Ware FC on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.
"We're looking for character and we said that to the players after the game against West Ham," said manager Karen.
"We told them to analyse their performances and start again against Portsmouth.
"This time last week we'd won six games out of six. Now we've lost two on the trot - everything changes so quickly in football.
"We started so well and I'm confident we can pick up again against Portsmouth. It's another tough game but we'll be ready."
Despite enjoying spells of possession, Karen admitted her team didn't do enough against the Hammers on Thursday night.
"West Ham played it well and showed a lot of desire." she said. "They pressed us high up the pitch, wouldn't let us settle into any pattern and looked to counter.
"We had chances. Wendy Martin had a shot saved in the first half, Jenna Schillaci's effort was blocked in the second half but we didn't have the same drive as we've showed so far.
"It's fair to say we didn't start to really play until Avilla Bergin came on and when West Ham went a goal up. We really pushed on after that but we were reactive, rather than pro-active.
"It was disappointing but I'm confident we can pick ourselves up again against Portsmouth."
Spurs Ladies vs West Ham: Toni-Anne Wayne; Sophie McLean, Fran Gamble, Natalie Grafton, Jenna Schillaci; Shannon Maloney, Katie O;Leary, Lucia Padilla; Lucia Leon, Wendy Martin, Andra Marcoci (Avilla Bergin, 60), Leanne Mabey (O'Leary, 68). Unused subs: Picton, Via, Smits.
