A spirited performance from our Women's Under-19s went unrewarded after London rivals Chelsea staged a late comeback to win 3-1 in the Professional Game Academy League on Wednesday afternoon.
Up against the current league leaders in the London derby, we came out on the front foot at Hotspur Way and deservedly took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Beatrice Cunnison headed home Mia Endacott’s corner to capitalise on a strong showing in the first period.
The Blues responded after the break and a moment of quality from Sienna Davis got them back on level terms 10 minutes into the second half. Just as we stepped up our tempo to push for a winner in the closing stages, the visitors struck twice late on through Eva Hendle and Sude Oztas to complete the turnaround despite a positive showing from Sabiha Jamal's young side.
We carved out the first opportunity in the opening minutes when Endacott’s corner was met by Cunnison at the back post – an early foreshadow of what was to come – but it was deflected to Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Isla Ball. Lois Shooter dragged an effort wide from distance as the away side looked to respond to our positive start, however, we kept pushing at the other end, Jhanaie Pierre being denied at the near post by Ball. Storey Gabi’s free-kick from the edge of the box was straight at Sophie Jackson before our shot stopper blocked Shooter’s shot from close range while, on 25 minutes, Neill fired wide from distance.
But our pressure eventually prevailed a minute later when Endacott’s corner was met by Cunnison at the back post and she perfectly guided her header into the far corner. And we continued on the front foot after our well-deserved lead, Pierre’s left-footed strike saved well by Ball at her near post once again before Endacott’s effort from range went over the bar. Chelsea continued to pose a threat, though, and should have troubled Jackson more on the stroke of half time when Amelia Fahey teed up Rebekah Pierre central in the box, but she failed to make a clean connection and Jackson was there to smother the ball.
Chelsea looked for a response after the break and Shooter had two opportunities to find the leveller, first Jackson pushing her effort around the post after racing behind our backline and from the resulting corner, some superb reactions from our shot stopper to get down low to save Shooter’s effort on the line. However, on 55 minutes, they found the equaliser and it was a wonderful strike from Davis, sending a 25-yard effort into the top left corner. We came back, though, as Grace Bellwood’s low cross was met by Nife Aramide inside the box but the midfielder was unable to get a shot away while, on the hour mark, Pierre’s 30-yard free-kick just curled wide.
Aramide was denied by Ball after great pressing on the edge of the box to win possession back but, at the other end, Chelsea remained a threat with Jackson called into action a few times, including a great challenge to prevent Shooter taking the ball round her. Endacott, who was influential in a slightly deeper role in midfield throughout the 90 minutes, picked out substitute Cruz Fuller-Fagan inside the box, but her low-driven shot was saved at the near post by Ball.
In the 86th-minute, however, Chelsea fired ahead in the contest and it was another stunning goal from the away side. Following a short corner on the far left, Hendle picked up the ball inside the box, on the far side, and curled a left-footed strike into the top right corner. As we pushed for an equaliser in the closing stage, Chelsea added a third and secured the three points when Oztas raced behind and calmly slotted past Jackson to maintain their unbeaten record in the PGA League this season.