BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE
MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER, 2003
SPURS RESERVES 3 (3) WIMBLEDON RESERVES 0 (0)

Scorers:-
Yeates, 8
Barnard, 20, 27

Referee:- Mr. M. Yerby

Attendance:- Est. 400

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Burch; Marney (sub Bowditch, 52), Mabizela (sub Henry, 62), O'Donoghue, Ziege; Hughes, Blondel, Toda (sub Barnett, 76), Jackson (Capt.); Barnard, Yeates

Subs not used:- Eyre; Slabber

Booked:- Toda

Wimbledon (4-4-2):- Martin; Deacons, Oyedele, Harding, Lewington (Captain); Gordon, E'Beyer, Slater, Puncheon (sub Makofo, 69); Mackie, Jarrett

Subs not used:- Webb; Ahmed, Mouter, Holmes

No bookings

With two goals from Lee Barnard, and an opener from Mark Yeates - all within the first half hour - Spurs reserves maintained an unbeaten run that now stretches to five games, three of which have been won. True, the opposition was a young and inexperienced side, whose first team props up the Nationwide First Division, but the Spurs team too was predominantly youngsters who have developed together, and who last year played in the under-19s. The absence of many Premiership squad members ensured that the Spurs eleven played more as a team.

The game was entertaining throughout, played at a high speed, and with good skills on display from both sides. For Wimbledon, Michael Gordon impressed on the right wing, but their defence struggled to contain the onslaught that Spurs gave them. Yesterday's goal hero, "O.J" Mabizela took up a central defending role, with Paul O'Donoghue doing a formidable job beside him. Marney was on the right of the back four, and Christian Ziege enhanced his fitness levels by playing the full 90 minutes. Being a World Cup Finalist 16 months ago in Japan must have seemed a different world to the German, who of course will be only too pleased to be resuming his career after his scary injury.

Mark Hughes started on the right flank, and skipper Jackson was on the left, with Toda and Blondel inside them. Yeates and Barnard were the strike partnership, and a fruitful one at that! Once again, Clive Allen was on the bench, but playing second fiddle to Chris Hughton. At times the two of them were giving instructions and guidance, but Hughton's was the dominant voice. Mr. Pleat was in the stand, and offered some advice to the bench in the latter stages - perhaps to encourage the strikers to come wide so that they could see across the defensive line which was so often catching them offside.

It was the visitors who had the first chance, as Lewington sent a good cross from deep on the left towards the Spurs back post, where Mackie scooped the ball over the bar. Spurs' skipper John Jackson led a charge from the left wing, as first he stole the ball off James Deacons, before threading to Yeates who was through in a one on one with the keeper, who managed to clear. Then Jacko switched the play with a great long ball to Marney, before racing into the area to receive the cross, which he (Jackson) headed goalward, only to see his effort saved. David Martin in the Dons' goal was to have a busy night, although Burch was not idle himself!

Spurs took the lead in the 8th minute. Both Barnard and Toda looked suspiciously offside as a long ball came from the Spurs half. There was no flag, and it was Toda who passed back to Yeates, who side-footed a left foot shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards. Yeates soon had another chance, as Oyedele initially collected Ziege's long ball, but lost possession allowing a cross/shot by Yeates which went just wide across goal.

Jackson tried a half volley on the turn, which was collected by the keeper, before Spurs went two up through Barnard. The striker received a chipped ball with his back to goal, taking control and cleverly chipping over Harding, before sending a right foot shot into the net to the left of the keeper. Only seven minutes later, it was Barnard on the mark again, and once again there was a suspicion of offside as Martin raced miles out of his area in an effort to beat Barnard to a long ball. The keeper failed in his endeavours, and Barnard rounded him with ease on the left of the field, before making an easy finish for a 3-0 lead.

The Dons had their closest effort, as Spurs struggled to clear their lines down their right flank. Puncheon hit a long cross that beat Burch and landed on top of the bar, before bouncing clear. At the other end, Martin had to make a great flying save to his left from Yeates, who took advantage of Oyedele's failure to deal with O'Donoghue's long ball.

Three minutes after the break, Blondel was at the heart of a great Spurs move from their own half. Mabizela sent Blondel away, and with the assistance of short passes from Toda and Hughes, Jonathan threaded the ball to Yeates, whose shot had Martin at full stretch to his left again. Marney was replaced early by Bowditch, and seemed to be nursing a knock. Burch nearly presented the visitors with a good chance when he mis-judged a high cross and in trying to stretch too far for it, failed to hold the ball, which was ultimately cleared after a bit of a scramble in the goalmouth. In fact, Spurs quickly countered and Yeates served the ball up for Hughes who skied his shot.

Blondel had a good game in a deep midfield role. Sometimes he would send good long passes to the wing men, and on others he would carry the ball through. Toda beside him was effective, if not exciting, protecting the defence, and Hughes was often on hand to help out with the defensive duties. One of Blondel's balls reached Jackson, now playing on the right, who passed inside to Yeates. Mark was in another one on one, but failed to capitalise, although Martin had to stretch once more.

In amongst the usual period of substitutions, there were good chances for Barnard (hitting the side netting from a left field cross), and Blondel who hit a left foot shot to the keeper. It was also a shame when Jackson failed to make the most of another good opportunity, after good work by Toda and Hughes. If Spurs had been that bit more clinical in the second half, they could easily have doubled the scoreline.

However, the team must be in good heart for their next fixture at home to Derby in two weeks' time. Indeed, 7 out of the next 8 reserves games will be played at "home" at Broadhall Way, Stevenage, subject, as always, to late changes in the fixture list.

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