The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Spurs celebrate shoot-out success

15 Apr 2016 By David Watters

Tottenham Hotspur Ladies held their nerve to overcome Charlton Athletic Women on penalties and lift the Ryman League's Boux Avenue Women's Cup for the first time in their history on Thursday night.

Spurs triumphed 4-3 in the shoot-out to collect the trophy from Watford striker and guest of honour Kim Farrow in front of club legend Gary Mabbutt and a record crowd of nearly 700 fans at Cheshunt's Theobalds Lane.

After losing 2-1 to the Addicks after extra-time at Ware last season and inseparable at 0-0 after 120 minutes of football this time around, the holders never recovered from missing their first spot kick.

The tenth final since Staines won the inaugural competition back in 2007 also saw another first for a Ryman League fixture with four female officials taking charge for the first time.

Referee Ioana Muzuran, fourth official Sue Newton and assistants Clare March and Amy Nettleship certainly earned their match fees and congratulations afterwards from Ryman League chairman Nick Robinson. Other representatives of the sponsors and the league offering their congratulations to the officials included vice-chairman Craig Johnson, director Roger Reed and league secretary Kellie Discipline.

Lingerie specialists Boux Avenue took over the sponsorship of the cup two seasons ago when the Ryman Group renewed and expanded its long-running partnership to 19 years.

Another Ryman Group company, homewares retailer Robert Dyas, also took over the sponsorship of the Robert Dyas League Cup, the Robert Dyas Vets Cup, the Robert Dyas Disability Cup and the Robert Dyas Youth Play-off Cup.

The Boux Avenue Women's Cup attracted a record number of clubs again this season with Billericay Town, Bury Town, Burgess Hill Town, Carshalton Athletic, Charlton Athletic, Gillingham, Harlow Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Herne Bay, Phoenix Sports, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham all entering last September.

To reach successive finals, Charlton Athletic Women beat Ryman League representatives Herne Bay 9-0 while Spurs overcame West Ham 5-0 in their respective semi-finals back in January.

Former England defender Mabbutt is one of the most respected figures in football for his work since hanging up his boots. Awarded an MBE in 1994, he is currently an ambassador for Tottenham Hotspur, The Football Association and The Prince's Trust and is also patron of Diabetes UK.

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Where next?

Lawmakers change red card rule Ryman League players who commit a foul to deny a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer automatically be sent-off under new rules coming into force next season.

Spurs legend is chief cheerleader! Spurs legend Gary Mabbutt and Watford Ladies striker Kim Farrow will be helping to hand out the honours at the Ryman League's Boux Avenue Women's Cup Final on Thursday night.