Yesterday, I travelled to London for 2 Tottenham Hotspur matches – Spurs Women v Man Utd Women at Wembley in the FA Cup Final, and Spurs U21’s v Liverpool U21’s at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was a hot, sunny day in London and a perfect day for football.
As I walked into stadium to my seat in the Tottenham end to watch the Women’s FA Cup Final, we all received a Tottenham flag and 12,500 fans waved their flags proudly and sung “Come On You Spurs”, “When The Spurs Go Marching In” and other Tottenham fan songs to create a good atmosphere before kick off and during the game. Tottenham defended well in large parts of the first half, but looked shaky with our passing as too many passes were either too loose or straight at a Manchester United player. We nearly held out till half time, however Ella Toone struck in first half stoppage time to give Manchester United probably just about a deserved lead.
Tottenham Women conceded another early in the second half, from a set piece – a similar issue the men’s team are dealing with at the moment. It was way too easy for Williams to head it in for United. Goalkeeper Becky Spencer with an absolute howler for Garcia to score the third not too long after, the worst mistake I have seen live at any football match without a shadow of a doubt. Garcia got a brace later on, and it wasn’t to be for Tottenham losing 4-0 but it was a great moment in history to watch Spurs Women make their FA Cup final debut.
From Wembley I got a metropolitan line underground train to Liverpool Street and an overground service from there to White Hart Line and was ready to watch the second game of a busy day – Tottenham U21’s v Liverpool U21’s. Liverpool took an early lead against league topping Spurs, who have the advantage now of playing every knockout game at home. It was Koumas with Liverpool’s goal. Jamie Donley with a moment of brilliance lobbing the keeper from 40 yards or so to level the game, and not long after Tyrese Hall chipped the ball in from a Donley assist. Hall crashed in a 3rd early in the second half to make it 3-1 but Liverpool came back to make it 3-3 through an own goal, and a close range finish from Norris – but how that wasn’t disallowed for a foul I will never know. Lankshear, Santiago and Soonsup-Bell had chances for Tottenham, but the game went to penalties.
Tottenham were victorious on penalties as they scored all 5, and Luca Gunter made a terrific save to deny Norris’ spot-kick. They will face Chelsea in the semi final now.
It was an entertaining day for me going to London to watch both teams play and show my support to Tottenham. Until next time, COYS.