BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE
MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER, 2003
SPURS RESERVES 1 (0) DERBY RESERVES 2 (2)

Spurs scorer:-
Jackson, 75

Derby scorers:-
Tudgay, 1
Labarthe Tome, 27

Referee:- Mr. S. Tomlinson

Attendance:-
Est. 400

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Hirschfeld; Ifil, Henry, O'Donoghue, Galbraith; Marney, Hughes (sub Slabber, 73), Toda (sub O'Hara, 46), Jackson (Capt.); Yeates, Barnard

Subs not used:- Burch; Foster; Barnett

Booked:- Galbraith, O'Donoghue, Henry

Derby (4-4-2):- Camp; Turner, Walton (Capt), Wilson, Zavagno; Cassidy, Sheard, Miller, Palmer; Labarthe Tome (sub McLeod, 62), Tudgay

Subs not used:- Richardson; Kuduzovic, Kemp, Turner

Booked:- Zavagno, Tudgay

The reserves joined the first team in losing their unbeaten run this week-end, as Lars Hirschfeld suffered the nightmare of presenting Derby with both their goals, one as early as the first minute. Try as they might (and they did!), Spurs' youngsters could not get the ball into the net in the first half, despite two goal-line clearances, and plenty more good efforts. Hirschfeld redeemed himself with some good saves in the second half, but he will wish he chose another day to return from his latest injury, having been absent with a dislocated finger.

Only Toda and Marney in the Spurs line-up had any Premiership experience, and that has been of a minimal nature. Toda played like a man who knows he is going home in a couple of months, and suffered the ignominy of being replaced at half-time by 17 year old Jamie O'Hara, who made his second appearance at reserve level, and had an impressive 45 minutes, watched by David Pleat amongst others.

Somewhat surprisingly, it was Chris Hughton in charge again, as Clive Allen was nowhere to be seen, despite what we had heard about him taking over the reserves this week. Hughton is an incredibly busy man, giving his all to Spurs and of course The Republic of Ireland for whom he has an prime coaching role. Ex-Spurs reserves manager, Colin Calderwood was in the stand, fresh from his new team's victory this week-end.

Derby have a good reputation in this league, and their side was primarily youngsters too. David Galbraith made a welcome return to action playing at left back, with 16 year old Philip Ifil getting another shot at right back. Ronny Henry and Paul O'Donoghue played between them, whilst Dean Marney took up the right flank, with skipper Jackson on the left. Mark Hughes was on the right hand side of Toda, and Yeates and Barnard were up front.

The game was less than a minute old, when the ball was passed back to Hirschfeld who promptly managed to present the ball to Tudgay on the edge of the area. The striker was able to casually curl the ball into the net with a right foot shot. Christmas had come early for the visitors who do have a loyal travelling support. Spurs took up the challenge and the game was played at pace throughout. After 5 minutes, Yeates ran from deep and crossed the ball to Jackson on the left. Jacko's low shot was across goal and about one yard wide of the post. Then Barnard intercepted the ball about 40 yards out, and went down the inside right channel at pace before his right foot shot went across the goalmouth from the opposite side of the area.

On 9 minutes, Yeates demonstrated some lovely close ball skills, with 4 defenders around him, releasing Barnard, whose shot was well-saved by Camp, and cleared. A low cross from them left passed in front of Barnard and reached Marney beyond the back post. Marney's shot was goalbound, but cleared over the bar by an outstretched leg. From the corner, taken by Jackson, Marney hit a low shot, which was saved by the keeper. Henry then put Ifil in the clear just inside the Derby half, and the young right back brought a good save with a powerful rising shot.

Sadly, Spurs went 2 down with another gift from their keeper, who perhaps was a bit unlucky this time, as he came to the edge of his area for a high ball, misjudged the height, and dropped the ball under challenge from Labarthe Tome. Hirschfeld fell in a crumpled heap, and the ball was in front of the Derby striker who could not believe his luck and fired home for an easy finish. Had the challenge been inside the 6 yard box, I would say that the keeper would have won a free kick, but there was no question of referee Mr. Tomlinson coming to the rescue here.

The best chance Spurs had before the break was a Barnard header from Jackson's corner, which was cleared off the line. Hirschfeld did get a confidence boosting save when he had to stretch up to catch Palmer's well taken free kick from 22 yards.

Toda did not return after the interval, and O'Hara took up his position. It was 10 minutes though before Spurs raised a meaningful threat, but it came from a powerful run by the substitute, who fed Marney on the right. Marney's cross was headed by Yeates across the goalmouth and wide. Derby had a good attack allowed on advantage by the referee, culminating in a shot from Palmer that went over the bar. Henry got booked for a lunging tackle near the half way line. Hirschfeld was not finished with bloomers as he let a shot through his legs, but thankfully was backed up by the defence who cleared the ball.

Mid-way through the half, O'Hara tested the keeper with a powerful shot, after good work on the left by Jackson and Yeates. Cassidy had a good run down the right flank and fed McLeod, but Hirschfeld was brave to save in front of the big replacement striker. Jamie Slabber was inserted with 17 minutes to go, and Mark Yeates fell back to support the twin strikers. It was Galbraith (I think) who made a great run through the middle, and was pulled down. Up stepped John Jackson to hit a great 25 yard free kick into the top of the net to the right of the keeper, to give his team a chance of a draw.

Much as they tried, Spurs could not get level. Ifil sent a good ball into the middle which Barnard headed wide, and Marney took time to tee up O'Hara who once again hit an adventurous shot, this time going wide of the target.

The reserves next fixture is in two weeks time when we entertain Charlton.

Follow @spursodyssey