Naz clinches win with first goal for Spurs Ladies

Jessica Naz scored her first goal for the club in a 1-0 win against old rivals Charlton Athletic Women as Spurs Ladies returned to winning ways on Sunday, writes Rosie Bonass.

Since she arrived from Arsenal’s development team in the summer, Naz has been the mastermind of six goals and she finally bagged one herself - which proved to be the winner in a scrappy game at Theobalds Lane.

Before the fixture, third place Charlton had only lost once this season (against Manchester United Women), and had gained good momentum following three straight wins, however another battling performance from Spurs ensured our position at the top of the FA Women’s Championship was left unruffled.

Karen Hills made one change to the side that suffered defeat away to United in the last outing as Coral-Jade Haines came in for our leading goalscorer, Rianna Dean who was absent from the team with concussion.

The visitors had the first meaningful effort at goal after six minutes as Lily Agg tried her luck from 30 yards out - her effort went just inches over the crossbar.

Naz got the breakthrough goal in the 23rd minute after she regained possession just outside of Charlton’s penalty box and with just the goalkeeper Katie Startup to beat, the England Under-19 international carried the ball around her before slotting home into an empty net.

Josie Green looked to score another long-range wonder, as she did in the 2-1 win against London Bees earlier this season, but her cracking attempt from 25 yards was saved well by Startup, and moments later Renée Hector had a thumping header cleared off the line from a corner.

Sarah Wiltshire came desperately close to extending the lead a minute before the interval, however her half-volley from 13 yards out went inches wide of the bottom left corner.

Shortly after the break, Wiltshire was involved once more, but this time she was denied by the post before Startup produced another good save to prevent a goal from Bianca Baptiste, who replaced Haines in the 56th minute.

Startup came to Charlton’s rescue again to stop a strike from Baptiste going in at the left corner and although the visitors kept pressing late on, a strong defensive display contributed greatly in securing three points.

Match reaction

Captain Jenna Schillaci was pleased overall to see her side deliver a win to keep them top of the table and noted how much character her team showed to succeed in a scrappy match.

“We worked hard from the front to the back and it was important for us to stay top of the league,” Schillaci said.

“We’re disappointed with parts of the game, it wasn’t our usual style of football but sometimes you do get ugly matches, but we came out on top so we’re delighted overall with the three points.

“It’s important when things aren’t going your way that you stick together, and we showed again what a great group of girls we have here. When things aren’t working it's important that we keep our heads and go back to basics.

“Jess (Naz) came up with a great goal and we created a lot of chances, but they just weren’t going in today and we had to defend well in parts, so we’re pleased with the clean sheet also.”

Match data

FA Women's Championship

Goals: Spurs Ladies - Jessica Naz 23.

Referee: Emily Heaslip.

Venue: Cheshunt FC.

Attendance: 376.