Spurs Women 4 the win: A look back at the WSL opener
It’s good to be back here on Medium, dusting off the cobwebs and returning to writing about my interests.
It’s been a while since I last covered a football themed post and with the WSL returning last weekend I thought why not!
I’ve previously written about the women’s game before, specifically in Russia (niche I know!) and follow the Lionesses and Spurs Women who I started following when Rehanne Skinner was managing the side.
Also being both a Spurs and Orient fan and the team playing at my beloved Brisbane Road further gained my interest in the team.
The last time I saw them play was back in October 2022, Spurs won 1–0 thanks to a Liverpool own goal! A game that was mainly a scrappy affair and to be honest I don’t remember a lot from it, but it was a good day out with a decent crowd filling the Justin Edinburgh Stand and a good atmosphere from both sets of supporters.
Fast forward to last weekend and Spurs Women hosted Crystal Palace’s Womens’ side who are newbies to the WSL.
Stand out signings such as Hayley Raso and Maite Oroz were ones to definitely look out for and were huge talking points when the North London club signed them; manager Robert Vilahamn opted for a 4–2–3–1 formation, in contrast, Laura Kaminski’s Palace side set up in a 4–1–4–1.
The N17 side made some early chances, a stand out was Hayley Raso latching onto a Palace pass and darting in from the right hand side and striking an effort at Eagles’ keeper Shae Yañez who saved with ease.
Spurs were tenacious in their attacks and continued to threaten the Eagles’ defence. Ash Neville came in from the right, zooming past Orient’s iconic East Stand and passed to Raso who found Jess Naz free, who then laid off a quick pass to Jamaican international Drew Spence who tried an effort from about 18 yards out. Her swinging effort was denied by Yañez, the American pulling off a great acrobatic save.
The home side’s tenacity was rewarded in the 19th minute when Hayley Raso caused havoc in the Eagles’ final third, dribbling and toying with the defence and slotted the ball past Yañez’s right hand side to get her debut goal in a lilywhite shirt.
Tottenham almost doubled their lead before half time when Amanda Nildén came sprinting in from the left and played a one-two with Martha Thomas and continued to run riot in the Eagles’ area and found Raso in space. The Aussie international’s shot was denied once again by Palace keeper Shae Yañez.
In the second half Spurs were just as imperious, an early opportunity from Ash Neville who’s headed effort from a corner and was cleared off the line by a Palace defender.
Moments later though, Spurs doubled their lead when Drew Spence’s well-timed through ball to Jess Naz who sprinted into the Eagle’s half and aimed for Yañez’s left hand side, the American initially saved her effort but unfortunately for her the ball ricocheted and Naz tapped in from close range.
Spurs created more misery for the South London side and tripled their lead in the 73rd minute. Substitute Bethany England (who replaced Martha Thomas) set up Drew Spence from a flick on, the Jamaican international cooly slotted in past Yañez’s right hand side.
A barrage of Spurs attacks continued, Hayley Raso once again causing a threat with her runs on the wing, she found Ash Neville in space but her pass was intercepted by an Eagles’ defender who cleared, however her clearance fell to Drew Spence, Spence found Olga Ahitnen on her right, the Finnish midfielder attempted a long range effort from about 20 yards out but was denied by Shae Yañez who pulled off a spectacular acrobatic save.
Ahitnen who replaced fellow Finn Eveliina Summanen, sealed the Lilywhite’s win in the 88th minute. The build up play from Spurs was superb, Ash Neville played a quick ball to Spence who found Maite Oroz in front, the former Read Madrid player passed to her Finnish team mate on her left, and Ahitnen struck a venomous shot from about the same distance as her previous effort and Yañez stood no chance from the sheer velocity of the Finn’s strike.
This Spurs Women side looks very refreshing and exciting to watch since the last time I watched them under Rehanne Skinner. Raso and her pace on the wing gives Tottenham a huge advantage. In addition, Maite Oroz from what I’ve read seems to be a vital component in midfield, Spence as well I thought from the highlights looked another key asset in the centre.
Spurs had a total of 26 shots and 17 were on target compared with Palace who had just 4. It’s going to be a long season for the South Londoners! Although Tottenham played and it’s fair to say a weak side, I definitely think they have a makings of a good team, let’s hope they can finish higher than 6th this season 🤞🏽.
Tomorrow the ladies travel to the Midlands and face Aston Villa. The Birmingham side started their 24/25 WSL campaign with a 1–0 defeat against current League Champions Chelsea.
Up the Spurs!
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