Super Sub Beth England saves Spurs Women
Last Sunday Spurs Women played their second WSL game of the 24/25 season against Aston Villa.
The last time both sides met at Villa Park was back in October last year, the Lilywhites taking all three points back to the capital with a 4–2 win; Martha Thomas bagging a hat-trick on the day, Ash Neville also added to the scoresheet respectively. The home side went ahead early in the game, Rachel Daly converted from the spot and Lucy Parker scored in the dying embers, which was merely a consolation goal for The Villans.
Fast forward to last Sunday and Robert Vilahamn opted for the same 4–2–3–1 against Crystal Palace and stuck with the previous starting XI.
From kick-off, the Midlands side took their chances, former England International Rachel Daly volleyed in from close range but was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, Villa were on the attack once more, this time coming in from the left. Paula Tomás played a through ball to Kirsty Hanson, the former Manchester United player found Rachel Daly who’s effort was picked up by Lilywhite keeper by Becky Spencer.
Fortunes changed for the N17 side half way through the first half when Drew Spence was bought down in the area and referee Elliot Bell pointed to the spot. Eveliina Summanen stepped up to take the penalty and cooly struck the ball to Sabrina D’Angelo’s right hand side.
In the second half Villa continued to attack and cause a threat, Vilahamn decided to change things up and bring on the likes of Beth England and later Olga Ahtinen and Anna Csiki. Villa manager Robert de Pauw also opted to make changes.
One of his changes, Adriana Leon equalised shortly after coming on the field, Spurs gave the ball away and a result a ball was played forward to Rachel Daly who had been a menace all game, she found Leon to her left hand side and slotted the ball past Becky Spencer in the Spurs goal.
Spencer remained on the floor after colliding with team mate Molly Bartrip but somehow stayed on the pitch even though there were glimpses of her showing that she was still feeling the aftermath of the collision.
Things went from bad to worse for Spurs in the 88th minute when Lucy Parker found Rachel Daly unmarked and she headed past Becky Spencer. The North Londoners well and truly punished for not picking up Daly BUT all was not lost when Beth England in the dying embers headed in Amanda Nildén’s cross, the Villa defense failing to mark the former Chelsea player who gave her absolute all to dive in and head in the equaliser and go back to the capital with a point.
This game wasn’t for the the faint-hearted and it was polar opposite how the team performed against Palace at home with the likes of Haley Raso who had a great debut but seemed less fluid in this WSL clash with Villa. In addition Becky Spencer as many noted during the game didn’t look 100% after the collision and it has been questioned why she wasn’t taken off, that remains unclear.
Tomorrow or today as I should say as it’s nearly approaching midnight! Spurs Women travel South of the river and face Charlton Athletic in the cup. WSL action returns on Sunday for the Lilywhites as they face Liverpool at Brisbane Road. The Reds are currently 7th in the table and have drawn both of their games. After Sunday’s game against Villa, Spurs sit in 3rd place.
Very intrigued how the next few games will pan out, although this one had a few defensive flaws, the important thing is Spurs bounced back, and they’ve certainly got the talent there.
Keep calm and up the Spurs!
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