Report Owen Williams | Photo Duncan Jack
Luton Town Ladies defeated Tottenham Hotspur Women PGA 4-1 on Thursday evening thanks to goal from Shanice Lewis, Amber Leighton, Courtnay Ward-Chambers and Shianne Swarres.
Myles Maddix and Fadi Mazloum made four changes from their side’s 3-1 victory over Dulwich Hamlet at Barton on Sunday.
Sarah Hudson replaced Nicole Melling between the sticks, with Sasha Smith and Lisa Milliken replacing Shanice Lewis and Fiona Buttigieg as full-backs, there was one change in midfield as Amber Leighton got the nod over vice-captain Shianne Swarres.
The Town started off brightly, Emily Wilson won possession high up field, she laid the ball off to Lewis who fired wide of the target.
Moments later, Lewis was involved again, this time a curled effort from distance rattled the post.
In the 18th minute, Lewis third effort struck gold. Nicole Farmer’s delivery into the 18-yard box fell to the feet of Lewis via a touch from a Spurs defender, she made no mistake with her finish, firing the ball past the keeper to give the ladies a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
With eight to play at the end of the first-half, Courtnay Ward-Chambers’ powerful header doubled the Hatters’ lead. Lewis’ corner from the left-hand side was swung deep into the area, where it was met by Courtnay Ward-Chambers, who powered through a crowd of Spurs players.
A driving run, rounded off with a tidy finish from Leighton, gave the Hatters a healthy three-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time. She was played through on goal, despite two defenders applying pressure, she kept her composure and slotted the ball into the net.
It took 15 minutes into the second-half for the visitors to test Sarah Hudson for the first time after the break but she was able to calmly hold on to the ball.
Spurs then were reduced to 10 player with 20 minutes left when a great driving run down the right-hand side from Emily Wilson resulted in her being dragged down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot and showed the Spurs defender a straight red card. Swarres expertly converted the spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way and giving the Town a 4-0 lead.
The visitors got a goal themselves with five minutes to play when a curling effort beat Hudson before they were reduced to nine men in the closing stages.
It's back-to-back wins for the Town at Barton to kick off the new campaign and on Sunday they face their first away test of the season when they travel to a strong Cambridge United side.
