Addison secures dramatic late win for Spurs Ladies

Substitute Angela Addison sealed a dramatic 1-0 victory over Leicester City with a phenomenal injury-time winner on Wednesday night, writes Rosie Bonass.

Spurs Ladies had struggled to find a way through The Foxes’ stubborn defence before a moment of magic from Addison in the 96th minute to claim the win right at the death, on a night which saw fellow title challengers Charlton Athletic lose against Aston Villa.

With only five games remaining this season, it was another significant three points for Spurs who stay five points clear at the top of the league, ahead of Manchester United in second, and move 10 points clear of Durham and Charlton, who make up third and fourth place.

Sarah Wiltshire returned to the starting line-up after missing out in the Manchester City defeat on Sunday through injury but the Lilywhites were dealt an early blow as left-back Ashleigh Neville, who has been in sublime form, hobbled off after just 15 minutes.

Six minutes after, Melissa Johnson broke from a Spurs corner for the visitors but thankfully Megan Wynne got back in the nick of time to put the forward off her stride and her effort towards goal was saved comfortably by Chloe Morgan.

Leicester goalkeeper Demi Lambourne made a superb save to prevent Wiltshire from giving her team the lead, following good build-up play from Bianca Baptiste and Rianna Dean, who set up January's Player of the Month for the shot from 16 yards.

Spurs had two more chances to open their account before the interval but Lamborne did well to keep the scoreline level for The Foxes. Wiltshire was denied for the second time by the goalkeeper, before Dean headed the resulting corner inches wide.

Five minutes after the break, the home team suffered more misfortune. This time Coral-Jade Haines limped off the pitch as Spurs were forced to dig deep following injuries to two key players.

An unmarked Baptiste should have fired the home side ahead in the 86th minute after Dean sent a dangerous ball into the penalty area for her to hit from close range, but the attacker just couldn’t make connection with the cross.

Leicester broke immediately following the miss and Rosie Axten almost gave her side the lead, but a terrific save from Morgan’s fingertips kept Spurs in the hunt for a late winner.

Addison looked lively after she came on for Wiltshire in the 75th minute and the young forward showed the fans at Cheshunt exactly what she is capable of with an unforgettable moment late into stoppage time.

The substitute linked up exquisitely with Lucia Leon before she brushed past three Leicester players to strike the ball cleanly into the bottom corner, and her wonder goal in the 96th minute won it for Spurs on an incredible night at Theobalds Lane.

Match reaction

“The substitutions made a massive impact, I thought Angela (Addison) coming on and scoring that goal was absolutely fantastic,” manager Karen Hills said at full-time. “Credit to the whole team as they kept going. It was one of those games where we just needed to grind it out and believe that we would go on and score and we did so I’m really pleased. The players were so relieved. They worked so hard and they’ve had a tough week with playing Man City on Sunday, then going back to work and coming in tonight and doing everything that they possibly can. We always knew that we were going to have to make substitutions and credit to Angela - what a finish and she totally deserves that.”

Match-winner Addison added: “It was such a relief to get that goal and get the win. We needed it, we needed the three points, especially after hearing that Villa beat Charlton, so it was a great three points. The spirit and the mentality in the group is incredible - every game we believe that we can win, but we just need to keep working hard.”

Match data

FA Women's Championship

Goal: Spurs Ladies - Angela Addison 90+6.

Venue: Cheshunt FC.

Referee: Michael Begley.

Attendance: 318.