Courtesy of:- Ray Lo, and the Spurs List

Being the webmaster of an unofficial Spurs site means that every now and then, you get asked "Where is Owen Price?". You may recall that this phenomenon was signed up as a 14 year old by Spurs a couple of years ago, around the same time as another reported prodigy, Michael Malcolm. Price scored a spectacular goal for the England under 15 side a year ago, and also went on record as scoring the fastest goal in Europe in about 4.5 seconds!

Well, both these lads are just 16 now, and have recently made their first appearances in the Spurs Youth Academy under-17 side. Having a free Saturday gave "Spurs Odyssey" the chance to visit Spurs Lodge at Chigwell, and have a look at both players. Malcolm made a full appearance, and played a great part in the creation of Spurs first goal, when he allowed the ball to do the work for him on the left flank, before putting in a cross that led to a goal for Young Republic of Ireland forward Mark Yeates. Malcolm partnered Yeates up front, and Price made a substitute appearance for the last 12 minutes or so. Owen is shorter than Malcolm, and played on the right side of midfield, almost scoring with his first touch, and managing a further shot on goal in his short time on the field.

The fact is that both these possible future stars are only just emerging at this level, and there are other players such as right winger Mario Noto, and midfielder Lee Barnett(scorer of the winner) who captured the eye, and are further along the long road to possible success.

Glenn Hoddle and John Gorman were putting the first team squad through their paces before travelling to Leeds for tomorrow's game, and Les Ferdinand was seen scooping a Ziege cross way over the bar from close range. Training is no different then!

Here is Ray Lo's report

	 F.A.Premier U-17 Academy League
  	      Spurs Lodge, Chigwell,
	Saturday 3rd November 2001, 11am

 		 SPURS v CHARLTON
       	 (White/Blue)    (Red/White)
		4-4-2    3-5-2

		 2(1)     1(1)

       Paul Rutherford 1 J. Delo
          Daniel Perry 2 A. Ritat
          Ricky Dobson 3 N. Ashton
           Lee Barnett 4 J. Dalton
          Danny Foster 5 M. Ricketts
           David Tyrie 6 D. Penfold
            Mario Noto 7 D. Evans
        Jonathan Black 8 A. Savage
       Michael Malcolm 9 A. Varney
          Mark Yeates 10 S. Tucker
     Nicholas Wettner 11 S. Ndombe

           Joe Watson 12 
           (8) 80Mins.
           Nicky Eyre 13
                      14 J. Rhodes
                         (3) 46Mins.
           Owen Price 15 I. Ombyje
         (10) 80 Mins.   (11) 76 Mins.
          David Hicks 16
                      17 R. Frempona
                         (10) 66Mins.
Scorers - Ritat 21, Yeates 31, Barnett 54

On a lovely morning which was sunny and clear, but a little chilled, which left dew on the ground, a group of over sixty saw a fairly good game of football. With the first team squad doing a final workout, John Gorman and Colin Calderwood came over to see Jimmy Neighbour's juniors play. Notable absentee was David Pleat.

The team lined up with Forster and Tyrie at the back with Perry on the right and Dobson on the left. Barnett and Black were in the middle with Noto wide right and Wettner on the left.

Spurs were the classier team with good passing, using the wings to good effect. The back line held the visitors' attack and protected Rutherford well. Barnett and Black controlled the middle with the wide men continually making runs down the flanks providing plenty of crosses for the hard working front pair. Malcolm could have done with a little more reward for his good positional play.

For me Barnett stood out along with Noto and Wettner and it was against the run of play that Charlton went ahead. They worked the ball down the left and with the defenders being drawn to the ball, the centre found Ritat alone at the far post and he scored with a first time strike from 15 yards. The shot gave the keeper no chance.

It took another ten minutes before Spurs' domination told when Yeates equalised following a cross from Noto. Malcolm's effort was blocked before Yeates tucked it in at the near post. Malcolm hit the post after a great run down the left.

Charlton started the second half in determined mood, pinning the home side in their own half and winning a number of corners before Spurs scored their second. Spurs had broken out down the right channel and Charlton failed to clear the centre from Noto, allowing Barnett to volley home from the edge of the area.

Charlton used all their subs and changed to four at the back as they chased the game with Tucker and Evans going close. They brought on Ombyje who must be the tallest player in this league - taller than Clayton Fortune who played for us last season. He showed a couple of good touches but they did not use his height to advantage.

With the game looking won Neighbour brought on Watson for Black in midfield and Price for Yeates. Price played on the right side of the midfield with Noto pushed up front. Some listees have been asking about Price following his goal for England schoolboys earlier this year, but in the ten minutes that he had there was little to comment on. He has stepped up from the U-16 side and had one shot at goal so I cannot give any opinion of potential until I have seen more of him.

Spurs should have finished with a bigger margin, but it was better than last season when they lost. Next week the U-19s face that 'big club' Southampton at Spurs Lodge, kick off is at midday.

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