View: Positives for Tottenham Women despite 1-0 friendly defeat to WSL rivals Manchester United Women
Robert Vilahamn will have seen signs of encouragement from his Tottenham Women side despite losing 1-0 to Manchester United Women at St George’s Park in a pre-season friendly on Sunday 17 September.
With just two weeks remaining until the Women’s Super League kicks off, preparations are starting to step up and Spurs’ Women got some valuable minutes under their belt with a tricky pre-season test against last season’s WSL runners-up.
And although the Red Devils left St George’s Park with a 1-0 win, Spurs certainly showed their new boss signs of encouragement ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge on 1 October, where they will square off with last season’s champions, Chelsea. Notably, new signing Martha Thomas made her debut in Lilywhite, against her former club (BBC Sport, 14 September).
And although she couldn’t get herself on the scoresheet, the Scottish striker played well throughout, before being replaced halfway through the second half, as the North London side looked for a way back into the match after Lucia Garcia had put United ahead in the opening period.
Prior to the goal, it was Tottenham Women who went close first, as summer signing and new vice-captain Olga Athinen saw her shot at goal rattle off the crossbar midway through the first half.
However, Spurs were made to rue this missed chance as Garcia’s goal arrived a minute later with 26 minutes on the clock. In response to the goal, Drew Spence, who was lively throughout, forced a save from Lionesses hero Mary Earps, with the shot-stopper also denying Eveliina Summanen from a set-piece.
In the end, despite some encouraging spells of possession in dangerous areas, and signs of resilience to prevent United from creating any dangerous opportunities, Vilahamn’s side couldn’t find an equaliser and consequent route back into the game.
Nonetheless, there were enough promising signs for the head coach to take from the match, and he will have learnt more about his players ahead of the big derby in West London on 1 October.
In other Tottenham news, one out-of-form star made a stunning contribution for the men’s first team against Sheffield United.