Matthew Chadder

Tue 12 September 2023 8:00, UK

Brand-new Spurs shot-stopper Barbora Votikova stole the show as a pre-season friendly between Tottenham Women and Brighton & Hove Albion Women ended goalless, on Sunday 10 September.

Robert Vilahamn took his team south to take on the Seagulls at their Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing, as his side stepped up their pre-season preparations ahead of their WSL opener on 1 October, away at last season’s champions Chelsea.

Both teams hit the woodwork throughout the match with neither able to find the back of the net, but it was a moment of brilliance from Votikova that was the main talking point at full-time. When Elisabeth Terland found herself presented with the best chance of the game 15 minutes from time, Votikova was equal to it, saving her shot superbly and tipping it onto the bar.

It was a reminder to Vilahamn that he has two brilliant keepers at his disposal now, as Becky Spencer, fresh off of her heroics at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, started the match before being replaced by Votikova at half-time.

Spurs were on top in the first period, controlling possession while creating more chances. Spencer’s Jamaica teammate Drew Spence set up a chance for loanee Grace Clinton with just over 15 minutes on the clock, but the youngster saw her shot comfortably saved by Katie Startup.

The visiting side’s best chance arrived three minutes before the interval with Naz collecting Olga Ahtinen’s pass and fizzing a shot over Startup, only to see the ball crash off the crossbar.

Just after the restart, the home side responded by striking the woodwork themselves, as Pauline Bremer fired her header off the crossbar. They built on this and began to control the game from the hour mark onward, although couldn’t find the breakthrough despite putting Spurs’ defence under pressure, with the match ending in a stalemate.

In other Tottenham news, Richarlison was left in tears after a goalless performance of his own for Brazil.