WEDNESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER, 2000
FA CARLING PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE
at Clarence Park, St Albans
SPURS RESERVES 2 (2) WATFORD RESERVES 1 (1)
Spurs scorers:-
Korsten, 6
King, 34
Watford scorer:-
Miller, 42
Referee:- Mr R. James
Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Walker; Hillier (Capt.), Doherty, Thelwell, Jackson;
Anderton, King, Clemence, Etherington (sub Fenn, 82); McEwen (sub Dominguez,
46), Korsten
Subs not used:- Kelly(GK); Davies, Gower
Booked:- Clemence
Watford (4-4-2):- Day; Neill (sub Williams, 70), Ifil, Panayi(Capt.),
Brathwaite; Warner, Fisken, Perpetuini, Armstrong; Mansley, Miller (sub
Forde, 82)
Subs not used:- Lee, Gudmundsson, Godfrey
Booked:- Mansley,
On a wet and windy night, a meagre crowd turned out to watch a very
strong Spurs side pick up a much needed first win of the season. All the
goals came in a first half which was dominated by Spurs, featuring some
flowing football through the middle from Ledley King and Stephen Clemence.
Both Etherington and McEwen had some fine runs down their respective flanks,
and Darren Anderton made a comfortable return from his latest injury. He
looks ready for Saturday's game at Elland Road, and I expect will even be
available to Kevin Keegan after all!
Unfortunately, the play became more spasmodic in the second half, as
Watford succeeded in closing us down, and tried their best to equalise,
having been allowed to get back into the game before the break. Ian Walker
had to make one or two good saves to keep the points secure.
Spurs took an early lead after McEwen made a good run down the right,
and from his cross, Korsten picked his spot with a super left foot drive to
the lower left corner of the goal. It looked like Korsten might repeat his
excellent performance that he had at Vicarage Road last season for the
reserves, but whilst he had several telling contributions to make, his first
touch, and control were sometimes lacking. After 20 minutes, Matthew
Etherington made a winning run through the middle, and after an exchange
with Willem, Matthew scuffed his shot a little enabling ex-Spur Chris Day
to clear with comfort.
Stephen Clemence was not impressed when McEwen wasted a chance that was
set up for him, and the air was blue for a moment! McEwen was replaced by
Dominguez at half time, and I am not aware of any injury. The lead was
doubled on 34 minutes, when Etherington shot (this time after a return pass
from Darren) and hit the bottom of the post. Ledley King was on hand to
sweep up the rebound. The goal stood despite protestations about offside,
flatly denied by the officials.
Ledley performed sweetly in the midfield and made an excellent pass to
McEwen on the right. The ex-Dulwich man made good ground, and reached
Clemence whose shot was blocked. from the counter-attack, Watford were
allowed back into the game, as David Warner got to the right bye-line, and
his cross was met at the back post by Charlie Miller, with Walker stranded
in the middle of the goalmouth.
When Jose came on, he played in the middle, which is not his best post!
but he shared right wing play with Anderton, who tended towards the inside
right channel throughout the match. When Fenn replaced Etherington late in
the game, Jose came over to the left wing. With 53 minutes gone, Etherington
gave his marker the slip, and sent a cross low in front of goal. It reached
Dominguez at the back post, but he shot wide. Etherington was in on the
action again when Anderton threaded the ball to him, but unfortunately
Matthew is not blessed with power.
Korsten however does have some oomph, and hit wide following good work
by Jose and Darren. The biggest scare for Spurs came when Doherty stumbled
and Ian Walker had to make a superb low diving save from Miller. Mansley was
following up, but hit his shot high and wide. Neale Fenn made a couple of
good contributions during his brief time on the pitch. One was to set up
Korsten for a powerful shot into the side netting, and the second was to
force a decent save, after Darren Anderton passed through the defence.
The reserves next game will be away to Charlton next Wednesday. There
will also be a friendly at Stevenage on 10th October.
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