Spurs Ladies Latest: Spurs Thrash West Ham United to Reach Ryman Cup Finals
Spurs Ladies beat West Ham United Ladies 5-0 in Ryman Cup Semi-finals to reach the finals for the second consecutive season.
Neither rain in the semi-finals from last week, nor last year’s heartbreaking loss to Charlton Athletic in the Ryman Cup final was enough to prevent Spurs’ determination to set things right this time around. In fact, a loss to the Addicks last term in the tournament’s final has played a huge part in Spurs storming through the Ryman Cup to lift the trophy above their heads and potentially exact revenge if both clubs meet again.
Now, what was supposed to be a cup tie that would be contested last week on Thursday, January 14th was postponed due to heavy rain that left the pitch unplayable. And so a week later, yesterday evening, the only storm that took place was a Spurs team that was determined to complete some unfinished business.
RELATED: Spurs Ladies’ into Ryman Cup Semi-finals
It could easily be described as a five-star showing for Spurs Ladies as they scored five goals and hammered West Ham at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on their way to the Ryman Cup final.
Bianca Baptiste, Wendy Martin, Avilla Bergin (twice) and Ronnell Humes all contributed with goals. The first goal would come from Baptiste who was on the receiving end of Bergin’s cross at the half-hour mark to make it 1-0 in Spurs’ favor.
With minutes to go before half-time, Wendy Martin would double their lead to 2-0 from the penalty spot after being upended in the box. At this point, it was obvious that the momentum heading into the break was clearly in Tottenham’s favor and it continued when the second half was underway.
Minutes after the second half started, Wendy Martin would record an assist as she led Avilla Bergin onto goal and gave Spurs a comfortable 3-0 lead. Essentially this game was over in a matter of 10-20 minutes when you start counting as soon as Baptiste scored the game’s opening goal and when the third goal went in.
Anything else was a bonus at this point.
And not to be left off of the score sheet was Ronnell Humes who scored her first senior goal as a second half substitute. Spurs’ fourth goal of the game would be sandwiched in between Bergin’s brace, with the final goal coming in at 90th minute.
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With a chance for Spurs Ladies to lift the trophy up, a familiar opponent could return as the reigning defending Ryman Cup champions last season, Charlton Athletic, are likely favorites to beat Herne Bay in next week’s second semi-final match and return to the final.
Whoever Spurs face shouldn’t matter, but if Tottenham had a choice, then no doubt it would be a chance to win the cup and avenge their loss to the Addicks.
“The players were so disappointed to lose out in the final last season and determined to get to the final again. That desire was there for all to see,” said manager Karen Hills
“They loved reaching the final last season, loved the build-up, loved being involved – and hated losing it.”
“They all want another shot at it – and it showed.”
That fight that Karen Hills is describing, which was on display against West Ham, showed how much they wanted to return to the final badly. Spurs fully dominated the game from start to finish. And when they do find out who their opponents are, if they play like they did yesterday, then they have a very good chance of lifting the trophy when it is all said and done.
“We came out of the blocks so quickly against West Ham,” Karen Hills said following her team’s dominate win.
“We played at pace, pressed them high and kept them on the back foot. We didn’t allow them to play all night, got ourselves ahead and once the third goal went in at the start of the second half we were in control.”
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Right now, Spurs Ladies are peaking at the right time but there’s still more football left to be played this season. And up next for Tottenham following this win is another cup competition. Spurs will take on Swindon Town at Fairford, Gloucestershire this Sunday in the Women’s FA Cup second round. And this cup tie has already been postponed twice now, so here’s hoping that the game can finally get underway.