Paul Smith & Ray Lo report from Broadhall Way, Stevenage

BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE
MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, 2004
SPURS RESERVES 1 (1) CHELSEA RESERVES 1 (0)

Spurs scorer:-
Barnard, 11

Chelsea scorer:-
Boussoufa, 70

Referee:- Unknown

Attendance:- Est. 750

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Hirschfeld; Ifil, Kelly, Bunjevcevic (sub Dobson, 61), McKie; O'Hara, Hughes, Redknapp (sub Barcham, 65), Daniels; Barnard, Malcolm

Subs not used:- Forecast; Lee; Thyer

Booked:- Barnard, Ifil

Chelsea (4-4-1-1):- Makabu-Ma-Kalambay; Smith, Pettigrew, Mancienne, Hudell (sub Tillen, 51); Woodards (sub Simmonds, 53), Jeffreys (sub Brand, 76), Rocastle, Oliveira; Boussoufa; Morais

Subs not used:- Hamman; Gallaccio

Booked:- Smith

The attendance at Broadhall Way on a bitterly cold night was swelled by several hundred. Some of these had no doubt come to see Jamie Redknapp, continuing his comeback with 65 minutes, whilst many others were local Chelsea fans no doubt hoping to catch a glimpse of a star or two on the peripherary of the first team. However, someone should have told them that the "all-stars" don't do reserve games, although in fairness, Chelsea are somewhat depleted, as yesterday's team-list for the Premiership game proved. Two of tonight's Blues' team were on the bench for the Charlton game. These were Oliveira and Craig Rocastle, who is a cousin of the late David Rocastle, formerly of "you-know-who".

Spurs too fielded a very young side, with the exception of Redknapp and Bunjevcevic, with three starters and the whole of the bench eligible for the under-17 side. These included under 17s' skipper Charlie Daniels, making his second reserves' appearance, after a good start against Fulham last week, ex-Arsenal Jamie O'Hara, playing tonight on the right wing, and of course star right back, and now reserve team regular, Philip Ifil.

With all this youth on display, the game was understandably played at a good pace, and perhaps Jamie Redknapp struggled to keep up with them! Spurs started very brightly, and within two minutes Barnard sent O'Hara away with a good ball round the outside of the defence. O'Hara made the shot but Yves Makabu-Ma-Kalambay (to be known hereafter as "The Keeper") came out fast and blocked the shot effectively.

Chelsea had only had a speculative shot from Jeffreys to their name, before Spurs took the lead with a great goal. O'Hara sent a great cross to the far side where Daniels collected coolly and hit a great low shot that bounced back off the post. In the melee that followed, Malcolm was quickly onto the ball, and teed up Barnard whose drive was unstoppable.

In truth, thereafter the chances for either side were few and far between as Chelsea got more in the way of possession, and with a packed midfield, managed to close down many Spurs build-ups. Jamie Redknapp had put Kelly in trouble with a poor ball, leading to a free kick conceded by Kelly, which was skied by Boussoufa. Kelly was exposed again mid-way through the half, when he lost out to Morais on the left. Lars Hirschfeld (on good form tonight) held the shot comfortably. After 34 minutes, a deep cross from the left by Boussoufa was met by Morais, whose shot went back across goal out of harm's way. Another Chelsea ball from the left was deflected into Boussoufa's path in front of goal, and from short range he shot low to Hirschfeld's left. The keeper dived and held the ball well.

Michael Malcolm, wearing his trademark silver boots tested "The Keeper" with a good snap shot, before Boussoufa again had a chance after O'Hara had sold Redknapp short with his pass. This latest chance for the Chelsea forward was just a yard over the bar. They were getting closer all the time.

There is little to recall about the second half, apart from the substitutions and a couple of incidents, as the game was largely fought in the middle two thirds of the pitch. Charlie Daniels is a tall left winger, and he proved tonight he has a shot on him, as he latched onto Malcolm's ball from a high pass from Redknapp. Daniels' shot was on target and "The Keeper" was forced into action. Bunjee went off after an hour, so perhaps will be in the squad for the Charlton game.

Chelsea got an equaliser through a penalty. This was conceded after an error by Kelly let in Boussoufa, who slipped the ball to Oliveira who was pushed in the back by McKie for an obvious penalty. Boussoufa took the kick, but Hirschfeld saved magnificently, diving low to his right. However, Boussoufa was able to score with his follow-up.

It was a fair result, and one feels that Spurs will need some of their experience back in the side to return to their recent winning form at this level. Pat Holland was in charge of the team tonight, kicking every ball for his protégés, whilst under-17s coach Jimmy Neighbour was also in the stand. Spurs next play at Vicarage Road, Watford next Wednesday 18th February, and the following Monday, entertain Southampton at Stevenage.

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