BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE
TUESDAY 26TH AUGUST, 2003
SPURS RESERVES 1 (1) FULHAM RESERVES 2 (1)

Spurs scorer:-
Jackson, 8 (pen)

Fulham scorers:-
Sava, 4
Stolcers, 49

Referee:- Mr F. Graham

Attendance:- Est 450

Teams:-
Spurs (3-4-1-2):- Burch; Mabizela, Perry, Kelly; Ifil, Hughes (Capt), Jackson, McKie; Galbraith (sub Malcolm, 75); Barnard (sub O'Donoghue, 80), Slabber

Subs not used:- Eyre; Henry; Barnett

Booked:- Ifil, Hughes, Barnard

Fulham (4-4-2):- Flitney; Rosenior, Leacock, Watkins, Green (sub Noble, 71); Buari (sub McDermott, 90), Rehman, Pratley (capt), Harley; Stolcers (sub Doherty, 71), Sava

Subs not used:- Baker, Stratford

No bookings

Having drawn their first two competitive games of the season (both away from home), Spurs kicked off their home matches with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham. Both teams fielded a good proportion of youngsters, but Fulham were more cohesive and closed down Spurs well in the middle. Spurs lacked experience in vital areas, such as attack, and no-one able to control the game in the middle. There were plenty of good ideas, but too many passes were going astray, which should have found their target.

A big attraction, of course was the competitive debut of Mbulelo Mabizela, and I can confirm that he is affectionately entitled "Old John" by his team-mates. Mabizela played most of the game on the right side of a back three, and only moved forward to the midfield when O'Donoghue replaced front man Lee Barnard with 10 minutes to go. Mabizela made just two mistakes - one a bad pass sideways to Perry, the other a bad crossfield pass, which led to a Fulham attack. Otherwise he was very competent, displaying good footballing skills, winning strong tackles and often carrying the ball into good positions.

Wing-backs Philip Ifil, and Marcel McKie both had impressive games. Ifil impressed going forward, being at the fore of some good quick attacks by Spurs. McKie was more prominent for his stout defensive duties, although he got forward more in the second half. The formation seemed to be 3-4-1-2 with David Galbraith never really comfortable in a position supporting Barnard and Slabber. Galbraith is a natural left winger, and was rarely allowed to play his natural game. Skipper Mark Hughes was partnered in the middle by Johnnie Jackson, but sadly Hughes passing was not at its best, and Jackson's ideas failed to come to fruition too many times tonight. Sometimes due to a failure by a team-mate to read the situation, but others due to inaccuracy by the distributor.

Ifil got himself into the referee's book after only two minutes, but this did not seem to shackle him for the rest of the game. Fulham took an early lead in the 4th minute, after Perry had hit a ball back to Burch much too hard, and the keeper had to let it go for a corner. This cheap corner was punished, as the man with the mask - Facundo Sava, rose to head home. He did not pull his mask from his socks this time!

Spurs were back on even terms within three minutes, as good play from Ifil, then Slabber led to Jackson racing into the box, to be put off his balance by Green. The referee gave a penalty without hesitation, which was a bit of a surprise to most watchers, used to such incidents going unpunished at the top level. Jackson stepped up to fire the kick home to the left of the keeper.

Five minutes later another fast attack down the right led by Barnard, then Ifil's early cross, ended with the advancing Hughes heading the ball well over the target. The early stages were good for Spurs, but as the game wore on Rehman and Pratley, in the centre of Fulham's midfield, were readily closing down the Spurs attacks. Buari was proving a handful for McKie down the Fulham right wing too.

Mabizela's first mistake was to underhit a pass sideways to Chris Perry, and Sava advanced to take his chance, shooting over the bar. Pratley was to have the next chance as he was allowed a run into the box, hitting a low shot just past Burch's left post, with the keeper stretched to the full. In fairness the Fulham keeper was the busier of the two, without having to make any great saves, but often required to demonstrate his competent handling.

A midfield ball was well won by a strong tackle by "Old John", and Ifil's cross just went over Slabber's head. Jackson had two more efforts before the break, the first of which was blocked by Rosenior, who did not necessarily know too much about it, although he certainly felt the power of Jacko's strike! Jackson then nearly took advantage of a good knock down, but his shot was tipped over by the goalie.

Fulham took a slightly fortuitous lead four minutes after the break, when Kelly met a speculative ball, and Stolcers was on hand to head in the rebound from the unlucky defender. Slabber did well, receiving a ball from Hughes with his back to goal. Jamie turned and hit a great shot, held securely by Flitney. Barnard and Jackson fed the ball from right to left, allowing McKie a chance. His shot was only half-hit though, and easy for the keeper.

The ex-Chelsea star, Jon Harley was allowed a run, despite a handball missed by the officials, but thankfully his shot was over the bar. There was a good move on 65 minutes from Spurs, as Slabber came deep to collect from Jackson, then chipped the defence, giving Barnard a great chance. Flitney was out quickly and saved at Barnard's feet. Just before being substituted, David Galbraith lost the ball in the middle and this gave Sava a chance to try an audacious 35 yard shot, which Burch did well to hold low.

Having moved forward, Mabizela sent McKie away with a lovely floated pass. McKie crossed from the bye-line, but the keeper's handling was again perfect. Jackson sent Slabber away on a great run into the box. His shot was deflected for a corner, from which O'Donoghue headed across the goal and wide, when a goal looked inevitable. Mabizela's second mistake led to Noble getting a shot, but Burch was equal to his attempt.

Fulham played out time successfully, and despite the result, there were plenty of plusses for the spectators. The reserves are of course missing the likes of Marney and Ricketts, getting deserved chances in the first team, but Ifil and McKie took their opportunities to impress well, and will be seen again at this level, I'm sure. Mabizela will probably need a while yet to settle in, before getting a first team chance.

It must have been a bit of a Youth outing tonight, as Owen Price and Mark Yeates, to name but two players, were in the stand, along with coaches Jimmy Neighbour and Pat Holland. Mr. Pleat and Pat Jennings were also present.

The reserves have away games against Chelsea (at Aldershot), Arsenal (at Barnet?), before their next home game on September 15th, against West Ham. I wonder if Etherington will be there?!!

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