Spurs Ladies thrash West Ham in Premier League Cup
Wendy Martin of Spurs Ladies in action against West Ham. Pic: wusphotography.com - Credit: Archant
Spurs Ladies went goal crazy, smashing a perfect 10 past West Ham in their quest to retain the FA Women’s Premier League Cup.
Last year’s 2-1 victory over Cardiff City Ladies was the first time the north London club had tasted success in the competition, and long-serving forward, Wendy Martin, says the squad possesses a real desire to reach the final and taste success once again.
She said: “It was such a great feeling winning the cup last season and the girls want that feeling again.
“We want to go all the way to the final and we want to be lifting that cup again – there’s a real hunger and I think we have shown that.”
Lucia Leon opened the scoring, before Eartha Pond, Bianca Baptiste and Nikita Whinnett put Spurs in complete control.
Martin scored a penalty she had earned, Whinnett and Renee Hector both headed home and Kelley Blanchflower netted a second-half brace, before Jenna Schillaci completed the rout with a fine finish at the back post.
The eight goalscorers against the Hammers flattened talk of Spurs’ lack of aggression in front of goal and Martin was very impressed with her team’s performance in east London.
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She continued: “I think the girls were fantastic from the very start. We came out quick and got an early goal which settled the girls – we never took our foot off the pedal really.
“There was a real hunger from everyone to get on the scoresheet – even our captain [Schillaci] got one, so she’ll be pleased as she doesn’t score many!
“I think people were just a little bit more composed and relaxed in front of goal. We created a lot of chances so it was good to actually put them in the back of the net.”
Midfielder Shannon Moloney, who came on as a half-time substitute when the tie was already standing at a ruthless 6-0, echoed her team-mate’s praise and was glad Spurs were able to send out a bold statement.
She said: “I think the willingness to keep going despite the scoreline shows we mean business.
“Being the Women’s Premier League Cup holders does add pressure, but the scoreline shows other teams that we have worked hard and want to be extremely successful this season in both league and cup campaigns.”