Edward Payne

A strong and commanding performance from Spurs saw them see off spirited Championship outfit London City Lionesses to advance to the Fifth Round of the Women’s FA Cup. Goals from Bethany England, Mana Iwabuchi, Drew Spence, Eveliina Summanen and an own goal ensured progress. 

Spurs made two changes from their midweek loss to Chelsea in the League Cup, with Ash Neville returning from suspension to replace Amy Turner and Angharad James replacing Evaliina Summanen in midfield.  

Their Championship visitors, London City Lionesses came into this off the back of a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace in their last outing, however this was their first game under new Head Coach, Nikita Runnacles following Melissa Phillips departure. The visitors made one change to their lineup with Lilly Agg replacing Carly Girasoli. 

The visitors got the game underway on a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon in East London but it was the hosts with the first chance. Rosella Ayanne scampered away down the left and pulled the ball back for Drew Spence who saw her effort blocked. The hosts quick followed it up with another good chance as Angharad James looped a ball over to Bethany England who superbly cut inside her marker but drilled her shot just the wrong side of the post. 

The visitors then bit back with their first chance of the game as Karin Muya’s pullback was arrowed goal wards by Sarah Ewens, forcing Tinja-Riikka Korpella into a good save at her near post. With just over ten minutes on the clock, the WSL side broke the deadlock thanks to Bethany England’s superb header after a fine delivery from Ayanne out on the left flank making it 1-0 to Spurs.

Rosella Ayanne was next to try her luck for the hosts after picking the ball up just outside the area but her shot flew wide of Shae Yanez’s right hand post. London City were then thwarted by an excellent piece of defending as Karin Muya once again got in behind Kerys Harrop on the Spurs left but her pullback was brilliantly cut out before it could reach a London City body in the middle.

The visitors came again ten minutes before half time with Harley Bennet swinging a ball in from the right but Lilly Agg’s header is well held by Korpela in goal. Right at the end of the half, Spurs doubled their lead and it was a first goal for the club for loanee, Mana Iwabuchi after she was found by Ashleigh Neville on the edge of the box. Her shot deflected in past Yanez to bring the half to a close and put the hosts 2-0 up.

Half Time - Spurs 2-0 London City Lionesses

Spurs made a change at half-time with Eveliina Summanen replaced Rosella Ayanne and the substitute had an immediate impact, helping Spurs star the second half exactly the way they finished the first. Drew Spence added number three, tapping home Summanen’s ball at the far post for her second goal in two matches. The hosts very nearly had a fourth as Spence picked out a delicious ball to England but the latter header was well saved by Yanez. 

Two more changes from Rehanne Skinner with about half an hour to go, with Shelina Zadorsky and Bethany England being replaced by Amy Turner and Nikola Karczewska. Spurs added their fourth goal of the game after another wicked ball in from the left from another substitute, Karczewska and Ciry’s Harley Bennett sliced the clearance over her own goalkeeper and into her own net to make it 4-0. 

Rehanne Skinner made use of her final two changes, bringing off Mana Iwabuchi and Ashleigh Neville for Chioma Ubogagu and Asmita Ale. Amy Turner was next to try her luck after some neat interplay with Ubogagu but her fierce right footed shot was wide of the mark. The hosts did get their fifth eleven minutes from time after Karczewska was again the provider, sliding a simple pass along to Eveliina Summanen who capped a very impressive substitute cameo with a goal to go with her assist to make it 5-0.  

Spurs comfortably saw out the remaining injury time to ensure they progress to Round Five of the Women’s FA Cup in a much needed and confidence boosting win for Rehanne Skinner’s side. 

Full Time - Spurs 5-0 London City Lionesses

Scorers - Beth England (11’), Mana Iwabuchi (45+1’), Drew Spence (47’), Harley Bennet (OG, 65’), Evelina Summanen (79’)