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Spurs Lodge, Chigwell, Essex
Wednesday 12th May 2010, 12 noon
(Development Game)
SPURS v CHELSEA
(White/Blue) (All Blue)
4-4-2 4-4-2
5(3) 3(0)
Lawrence Thomas 1 Niclas Heimann
Adam Smith 2 B. Clifford
Nathan Byrne 3 Jeffrey Bruma
Dean Parrett 4 Liam Bridcutt(C)
Calum Butcher 5 Patrick Van Aanholt
Steven Caulker(C) 6 Conor Clifford
Paul-Jose M'Poku 7 Jacopo Sala
Ryan Mason 8 Nemanja Malic
Jonathan Obika 9 Gael Kakuta
John Bostock 10 Josh McEachlan
Andros Townsend 11 Jacob Mellis
12 Daniel Philliskirk
(6)
Simon Dawkins 13 Walker
(7)61Mins
Olumide Durojaiye 14 Ben Gordon
(6)79Mins (8)46Mins
Jake Nicholson 15 Pirez
(4)79Mins (10)46Mins
Sam Cox 16 Rohan Ince
(3)79Mins
Massimo Luongo 17
(8)79Mins
Oscar Jansson 18
Scorers:-
Obika 5, 20, 34, 70 Mellis 67
Bostock 76 Kakuta 81
Bruma 86
This was classed as a development game which basically featured what would have been reserve sides. It was initially due to start at 11am but was put back to a noon kick-off. This may have something to do with representatives from many clubs coming to watch the players on show. John Gorman with his new manager at MK Dons, Darren Ferguson, Barry Fry and David Pleat were among the visitors.
Spurs lined up with Aussie trialist Thomas in goal behind Caulker and Butcher with Smith at right back and Byrne on the left. Parrett and Mason started in the centre of midfield with M'Poku on the right and Townsend on the left. Bostock was up front in support of Obika. The Blues included Kakuta - the player who got them into trouble at the beginning of the season.
Spurs kicked off attacking the South end but the visitors had the first chance when McEarlan fired over. This was followed quickly by Parrett firing his free kick over before Caulker won the ball in his own half and carried it forward before passing it into the feet of Obika running through the middle who slotted it under Heimann to take the lead.
Townsend's pace down the left was causing the Chelsea defence problems and when he got past the full back his low drive was saved for a corner. After Bostock hit his effort over, Butcher was called upon to clear a shot off the line. Parrett let fly from distance forcing Heimann to save to his right with the ball running to Townsend who whipped the ball back. Clifford blocked the ball on the line only to see Obika dive to head the ball back against the defender who was adjudged to have been behind the line for Jonathan's second goal.
Spurs kept the pressure on, using both wings as well as driving through the middle and Bostock tried an overhead kick that was saved by the keeper. Obika collected a loose ball and beat two defenders before slipping it wide of the keeper for his hat-trick. The visitors tried to get back into the game and when the ball was only cleared as far as Clifford he drew a save from Thomas. Van Aanholt broke forward but fired over. M'Poku played in Obika to fire past the keeper only to be ruled off-side. Mellis got free on the left but fired over as the half finished.
Chelsea made two changes for the second half as they looked to get back into the game and they started brightly with Mellis firing wide. Spurs continued to press and Townsend got down the left again before squaring to Bostock who fired wide before seeing his next effort deflected wide for a corner. Clifford got forward again to test Thomas before Bostock drove wide as did Mellis at the other end. Pirez chipped the ball over the defence for Malic to fire over before he got away to put the ball in the net only for his goal to be disallowed for off-side.
M'Poku fired wide before he was replaced by Dawkins who went up front with Obika moving to the left side and Townsend switching to the right. Kakuta began to show when he fired wide before setting up Sala at the far post who also went wide. Pirez got down the right channel and saw his drive saved by Thomas but the ball went across the goal to Mellis coming in at the far post who converted to reduce the arrears.
Dawkins worked an opening but put his effort wide. Spurs regained their three goal lead when Obika headed in Parrett's left side corner. Shortly after, Bostock received the ball deep and advanced a few paces before letting fly from 30 yards for Spurs' fifth goal. Pirez saw his effort saved before Inglethorpe rang the changes. Durojaiye replaced Caulker at the back and Cox came on for Byrne at left back. Nicholson and Luongo took over from Parrett and Mason in central midfield. While the subs were still settling in Kakuta scored with a low drive from the right. The visitors reduced the deficit further when Bruma scored from a free kick but Spurs held on for the win.
This was a good solid performance by the players who are likely to form most of the squad for the upcoming Monthley tournament later this month. Considering that Chelsea fielded what was mostly their reserve side it showed how well our players have improved. There were some mistakes in the passing and understanding as they do not play regularly, having been out on loan to various clubs across the country during the season. Dawkins was released last year but has returned looking for a contract having had an injury. What can you say when not only did the first team beat Chelsea but the reserves and the youth team also beat them this season!
Ray
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