FA BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE (SOUTH)
MONDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2005
CHARLTON ATHLETIC RESERVES 2 (1) SPURS RESERVES 1 (0)

Charlton scorers:-
Johansson, 23
John, 90

Spurs scorer:-
Barnard (pen), 84

Referee:- Mr. S. Tomlinson

Attendance:- Est. 150

Teams:-
Charlton (4-4-2);- Andersen; Wilson, Perry, Fish, Gross; Sam, Euell, Fuller, Long (Capt.) (sub John, 70); Jeffers, Johansson

Subs not used:- Randolph; Varney, Ashton, Ricketts

Booked:- Fuller (foul)

Spurs (4-4-2);- Cerny; Pamarot, O'Donoghue, Defendi, McKie; Ricketts, Marney, Davis (Capt.), Yeates; Barnard, El Hamdaoui

Subs not used:- Eyre; Riley; O'Hara, Limbersky, Halfredsson

Booked:- Yeates (dissent)

Just when it looked as if Spurs had secured the point they had deserved with a late penalty converted by Lee Barnard, up popped Charlton substitute Alistair John to be credited with a most fortuitous last minute goal from a corner, with a shot that looped wickedly over Spurs keeper Radek Cerny from Noe Pamarot's outstretched leg. Whilst it took them till 6 minutes from the end of the game to equalise Johansson's 23rd minute goal, Spurs were easily worth a point in this hard-fought entertaining fixture, played in front of a sparse but committed gathering who escaped the snow till the closing stages of the game.

One of the attractions of this game for any Spurs fans travelling to The Valley was the return to competitive action of Sean Davis, not seen in the Spurs colours since November. Davis will need one or two more games at least to be ready for Premiership action, I would say. Davis played out the 90 minutes, but was second fiddle to the impressive Dean Marney in the middle. Davis took the short paths either side of the centre circle, whilst Marney sprayed the ball about winning applause from the partisan home support with his accurate passing.

Charlton are top of the Reserve league, and it is no wonder if this is the sort of side they put out, and the sort of luck they get, as Spurs hit the woodwork no less than three times in the opening 10 minutes. Athletic fielded surely the most experienced Reserve League central defence pairing in Chris Perry and Mark Fish, and at the other end had Francis Jeffers and Jonatan Johansson up front. Jason Euell was also seeking a path back to the first team with a midfield performance that often frustrated his own supporters.

The Spurs side was younger, but did include 2 players with plenty of experience (Pamarot and Davis), and three aspiring Premiership players in Ricketts, Marney and Yeates. Spurs had already started more confidently, before after just 3 minutes, Ricketts after a short advance, hit a good low shot past Andersen, that rebounded off the far post into Barnard's path. All I remember is that Barnard's reaction shot also hit the post (outside) running into the clear, but the Charlton website suggests that Andersen made a fine reaction save to push the ball onto the post.

Three minutes later Jeffers tried somewhat tentatively to chip Cerny, but it was easy for the keeper, playing his first competitive game for Spurs. Cerny then did well to take a low drive from Wilson quite cleanly.Charlton responded well to Spurs early domination and Euell started a good move that developed down the right through Lloyd Sam, then Jeffers, who threaded a ball for Johansson, who got goal-side of the defence, but fired wide across the target. Sam and Marcel McKie had a great battle down the Spurs left flank, and this was the best I have seen from McKie with a some truly great tackles and strong challenges.

Mark Yeates was being fed the ball a lot of the time, but things did not quite run for him in the first half, with just a shade of indecision at crucial moments. Hamdaoui was showing skilful touches, but it was hard to make headway against that Charlton central defence. Only 10 minutes had gone though when Spurs hit the woodwork again. Ricketts made a good run from deep, and passed inside to Mounir El Hamdaoui, who hit a good shot, but also hit the post. Charlton took the lead midway through the first half, as a ball reached Jeffers on the edge of the Spurs area, he passed inside to Johansson who turned and shot past Cerny's left hand in one motion for a good goal.

Yeates hit a good 25 yard shot on the run that Andersen pushed round his left post, but this was to be the best of the chances for Spurs in that first half. To be honest, it was almost one-way traffic after the interval, as Clive Allen stoked up his youngsters and got a good response. Pamarot and Ricketts attacked down the right flank, before Ricketts was fouled and Defendi headed Marney's free kick wide. Hamdaoui received a nice ball from midfield and fed Ricketts, whose low shot was well held by the Charlton keeper. Yeates made another typical run, hitting a shot that Andersen could not hold and had to rely upon Perry to sweep up and clear for a corner.

O'Donoghue was making one or two bad passes from his own area, that put his side under pressure, but in fairness, he deserves credit as much as Defendi, and the full backs for some determined defending against quality strikers at times. It was pretty much end to end football throughout, with half chances at each end. Cerny made a good save from Sam at close quarters and Defendi, O'Donoghue and Yeates all had headers off target. There was more applause for the visitors when Marney sent a 40-50 yard pass from left to right where Yeates trapped the ball beautifully, before taking the ball inside to Ricketts. The move ended with a wide shot from Davis, who had been given the option of replacement by Clive Allen, but chose to play the 90 minutes.

The penalty came from another good move, where Yeates crossed from the right and the ball was half cleared to just outside the box. Marney picked it up, ran into the box and was fouled by Fuller, before Barnard stepped up to make a good conversion. More end to end efforts followed before the cruelest of goals, allowing Spurs just one minute's added time to try and get on level terms. Cue persistent snow, the final whistle was blown, and it was time to find our way home through occasional blizzards, after one of the best reserve games I have seen this season.

Spurs next scheduled game at this level may be put back, as it is due to be played on the same night as the FA Cup replay at Nottingham Forest. I suggest you keep an eye on the Official site for news.

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