We ramped up our preparations for the new FA Women’s Championship season by taking on Women’s Super League side Tottenham Hotspur in a behind closed doors friendly at The Hive London. The Lilywhites ran out 5-0 winners over Lee Burch’s side, as the Bees fielded a mixture of senior and young players in order to gain match fitness for the new campaign.
Our top-flight opponents were able to field a wealth of talent and it showed as they raced into a 4-0 lead in a ruthless first-half display. Spurs’ 2019/20 top scorer Rianna Dean then came off the bench to add a fifth in the second half to wrap up the scoring, in what was a solid second-half showing for the Bees.
Lauren Pickett had looked to have pulled one back midway through the second 45 as she delightfully lofted the ball into the back of the net, but it was harshly adjudged offside by the officials.
Lee Burch used the friendly as an opportunity to blood exciting young academy graduate Millie Constantine as she made her first appearance at The Hive London, she was also joined by new signings Sophie McLean, Marianne Taho and Charlie Estcourt who were also given run-outs yesterday evening.
The Action
Spurs took the lead on the 13th minute as Hannah Godfrey met a cross from the Siri Worm and guided the ball into the bottom corner.
We almost responded four minutes later as Taho wriggled free of a couple of Spurs defenders but she couldn’t quite get her shot away. But up the other end, Spurs were clinical as Angela Addison struck home after good work from Netherland’s international Worm.
The Lilywhites added a third eight minutes before the break and Worm was the architect again, as Kit Graham headed home leaving Quantrill with no chance, it was harsh on the Bees as they had just found their footing against their top-flight counterparts.
The Bees almost pulled one back as Nicola Gibson saw her shot from the edge of the box well blocked by the Spurs backline. The Barclays WSL side were ruthless in front of goal and Angela Addison poked home on the stroke of half time to add a fourth.
Lee Burch introduced Lauren Pickett and Amelia Hazard at the break as he looked to ensure all players received a suitable amount of minutes ahead of next weekend’s league opener with Coventry United.
The Lilywhites added a fifth goal shortly after the interval as Dean scored from the penalty spot, after Dench had fouled Leon just inside the area.
However, the Bees improved as the game went on and should have had a goal back after Pickett latched onto a long ball, before delicately looping the ball over Mikalsen and into the net. However, in controversial fashion the linesman adjudged Pickett to be offside, despite it looking for all the world that she had timed her run expertly.
The Bees attention will now turn to the start of the FA Women’s Championship season, which kicks off in 11 days time as we travel to Coventry United on the opening day of the season. Burch’s side will return to The Hive London a week later for their opening home fixture of the new season as we take on Liverpool Women.
London Bees: Quantrill, Robert, Brooks (Pickett 45), Giddings, Gane, Dench, Gibson, McLean (Constantine 76), Estcourt (Hazard 45), Horwood, Taho.
Subs not used: Hazelton, Trialist.
Spurs: Spencer (Mikalsen, 45), Leon, Godfrey, Harrop, Worm (Filbey 77), Peplow (Sulola 77), Green © (Neville 62), Quinn (Percival, 45), Graham (Williams 62), Addison (Davison 45), Ayane (Dean 45).
Speaking after the match Lee Burch said: