Spurs Ladies back on top of the FAWC

Spurs Ladies secured back-to-back wins after a convincing 3-0 victory over Lewes in the FA Women’s Championship on Sunday, writes Rosie Bonass.

Goals from Jessica Naz, Rianna Dean and Jenna Schillaci moved Spurs top of the league, but in unfortunate circumstances as the game between title rivals Charlton Athletic and Manchester United was abandoned, following a serious injury to Charlton’s Charlotte Kerr.

The Lilywhites are now two points ahead of United, who have a game in hand, and four points clear of Charlton, who make up third place.

Two changes were made to the team that won in their previous game against Sheffield as Megan Wynne started ahead of Lucia Leon at right back and Bianca Baptiste replaced Angela Addison in attack.

New signing Emma Beckett came straight into Karen Hills’ squad - starting on the substitutes' bench - following the announcement of her arrival on Saturday.

The hosts made a flying start and should have taken the lead immediately after the first whistle. Naz made a strong run down the line and found Baptiste, who lost her defender in the box and with just the goalkeeper to beat, drilled the chance over the crossbar from six yards.

Spurs dominated possession and looked dangerous going forward and following two great chances from Dean, deservedly got the breakthrough goal in the 30th minute.

It came from Naz, who looked lively all game in attack. In windy conditions at Theobalds Lane, the young forward was encouraged to shoot, which she did from 20 yards into the bottom left corner past Faye Baker.

Before the interval, Dean had another brilliant chance - a through ball by Naz set her up perfectly, but Charley Boswell was there to clear Dean’s shot off the line after she carried it around Baker.

Dean’s luck took a turn 12 minutes into the second period after her shot went in at the near post to double Spurs’ advantage.

Schillaci wrapped up the commanding win eight minutes later with a long cross in from the left wing that was deemed to have gone over the line before the Lewes defence could clear the danger.

Beckett came on for the last 12 minutes as Spurs went on to earn three points and keep a clean sheet in their first home game of the year.

Match reaction

“We’ve started the year with six points and that’s what we wanted,” said head coach Juan Amoros. “We are Tottenham Hotspur, we need to make sure we are there, doing our best to win every single game. I’m very pleased with how the girls started the game and the second half because that’s something we have been working on - the reactions after we score and to the other key moments in games.

"Lewes changed their manager and tried to play in a different style, I think we adapted fantastically well especially with the weather conditions. We scored three and there could have been a few more but for us it’s about the three points.”

Captain and goal contributor Jenna Schillaci added: “I’m delighted as we’ve been working on our set-pieces so I’m really happy to have scored one. We treat every game as a final now - there’s everything to play for. We’ve got a great squad of players and a great new signing coming in - Emma (Beckett) who I thought was outstanding when she came on.”

Match data

FA Women's Championship

Goals: Spurs Ladies - Jessica Naz 30, Rianna Dean 52, Jenna Schillaci 60.

Referee: Tim Donnellan.

Venue: Cheshunt FC.

Attendance: 320.