Courtesy of:- Ray Lo, and the Spurs List.

       FA Premier Academy League U19, Group D
       Spurs Lodge, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 5AB
         12th October 2002, k.o. 12 noon

          SPURS 2(1)  BRISTOL CITY 1(0)
            4-4-2         4-4-2

Spurs scorers:- Noto, 16, Slabber, 62

Unfortunately the secrectary who does the team sheets was away so it was a case of spot the player, which can be difficult if you have not seen them before. Team confirmed as follows by the Official website:-

Burch; Perry, McKie, Black, Kelly(C), Foster, Marney, Yeates, Slabber, Noto, Wettner
The unused subs were:- Bowditch, Rutherford, Barnett, Ford.

City had former Spur Lee Gardner in their line-up with Rosenior who was their best player as well as Simpson, Rouse and McGuire.

The morning was overcast and the pitch slippery due to early rain, but due to the amount of added time it was getting quite sunny at the end. Because of the international break there were no first teamers around to swell the small band of watchers which included Paul Smith and Andy Porter.

Spurs lined up with Kelly and Foster in the centre of defence flanked by Perry and McKie. Marney and Ford linked up in central midfield with Yeates on the right and Wettner on the left.

City kicked off attacking the right-hand goal and in the opening minutes the game was halted due to injury when McKie and the visitors' number 8 went for a 50/50 ball in the centre circle resulting in a long stoppage while both boys had treatment. Marcel played the rest of the half with torn shorts and the other player got a yellow card.

The Robins had the better of the opening period as they closed down the home side and put in very solid challenges with Liam Rosenior showing strongly in the middle. Nicky Wettner was having problems keeping his feet on the slippery grass in his bid to get the better of Simpson but was able to get to the line to cross for Mario Noto to head home at the far post in the 16th minute.

There were no more goals in the half but we came close on several occasions with efforts from Slabber, Noto, Marney Yeates and Wettner. City came close a few times themselves as driven on by Rosenior they caused a few scares for Rutherford. The referee added 5 minutes to the half without us adding to the single goal which made the game look closer than it was.

We started the second half strongly moving the ball around quickly and using Wettner down the left more often, which pushed back the City defence giving more room in the middle third for Dean and Tim to prompt more attacks. Wettner picked up a clearance and hit the bar from about 20 yards as more chances fell to Slabber and Noto.

The City coach made changes in an attempt to get back into the game and pushed up the back line from the edge of the box. This led to our second goal as the ball was played over the top for Jamie Slabber to run onto and shoot past the rushing keeper into the net after 62 minutes. Jamie failed to connect to crosses from Mario as well as both forwards having efforts ruled out for offside as we sat back a little launching quick counters as they pushed up.

A funny incident of the half occurred when the game was stopped for an injury and the referee instructed Jamie to knock the dropped ball back to the visitors. He kicked the ball on the bounce and it sailed back to the keeper but on hitting the ground reared up and over him. The referee had the kick retaken with a rebuke for Jamie.

With the 90 minutes up, the home side tried to play out time but were caught in possession and one of the Reds' subs volleyed a consolation goal for the visitors. The referee finally blew his whistle after 8 minutes of added time with a scoreline that flattered the visitors but was a welcome three points for Spurs after the defeat the previous week.

Next week the U-17's entertain West Ham, while the seniors go to Norwich. The reserves will be playing the Hammers as well during the week. With the first team playing Bolton on Sunday they should be around the Lodge while the juniors play their game so a bit of player spotting is on the cards.

Ray

Ed's note:- I would just like to make a special mention of young Mark Yeates, who gave his usual gutsy performance in the middle for Spurs. Mark recently lost his father in tragic circumstances, and I felt he played out of his skin for the Spurs on this day. Well done, Mark

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