Spurs completed a double at the weekend, but are after more silverware

Dynamic defender Emily Smith says Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Reserves are proud of achieving an FA Women’s Premier Reserve League and Cup double, but says the focus is already on completing the treble.

Amy Makewell volleyed The Lilywhites into an early lead, but Blackburn fought back through Leigh Wightman’s prodded 86th minute equaliser forcing the tie into extra-time.

Ak Lakhani’s side refused to buckle under the pressure with Ronnell Humes’ late brace putting the result beyond doubt to lift the National Reserve Cup – and Smith highlighted the importance of the squad’s mental resolve.

She said: “We had to show huge character – conceding when we did and having to go into extra-time, I think everyone was really feeling it. It took amazing heart from the girls to stay in it, keep going and to gets those goals. Everyone was on their last legs, but we all found that little bit extra to give because we wanted it so much.

“Absolutely buzzing – we’ve worked so hard this season, the work-rate from the girls throughout the match, to go ahead, concede and then go onto win is just an absolutely amazing feeling. To win the league and then to lift more silverware is what this team deserve.

“These girls are like family, we work so hard for each other. This is our second piece of silverware but now our attention has gone to the next cup – we want to win the treble.

“Nellz (Humes) was outstanding, she was incredible and deserves that Player of the Match award, she played amazing. She puts in that work up front and comes out with goals like she did today, but she also works hard coming back to defend as well.”

Smith was also quick to shine light on the coaching staff for their meticulous planning, which is allowing the players to approach every game with confidence and a drive to repay that belief.

She continued: “Ak and the coaching staff have been amazing – Shaun (Harris), Ghab (Ghabriel Teles), Vikki (Mennell) everyone’s been so supportive and works so hard in training and on matchday to get us to this point. All the tactical elements are there, and we want to make them proud.”

Matchwinner and Player of the Match, Humes shared her teammates sentiment, alluding to the extra effort everyone’s willing to give to be successful.

She added: “I’m proud of everyone, each and every single person in the team – down from the staff and players. We’ve won the double, hopefully we can complete the treble, but yet again we have to go out and fight for it like we do every cup final.

“We all came out fighting – Amy Makewell got an early goal for us and when we conceded, we did feel disappointed, but we kept our heads up and went again so there were a lot of positives.

“They’re a very physical team, they matched us very well - I’ll give it to them they did do well – but we put that extra fight in which won us the cup final, although they are a great team to play against.

“For my first finish I kept composed in the area. We kept together as a team, we knew we had to stay positive and thankfully I got my second, which won us the cup final.

“That felt amazing, I can’t describe how it feels. I’m proud of how everyone did and to get that goal was a relief, because there was so much pressure on us, but once it went in everything settled down.”