FA BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP RESERVE LEAGUE
MONDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2004
(at Broadhall Way, Stevenage)
SPURS RESERVES 1 (1) CRYSTAL PALACE RESERVES 1 (0)

Spurs scorer:-
Barnard, 45

Palace scorer:-
Freedman, 65

Referee:- Mr. M. Yerby

Attendance:- Est. 300

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Burch; Ifil, Kelly, Gardner, Bunjevcevic (Capt.); Davies (sub Dilevski, 65), Mabizela, Jackson, Ziegler; Barnard, Ricketts

Subs not used:- Fulop; McKie, O'Donoghue; Malcolm

No bookings

Palace (4-4-2):- Kiraly; Watson (sub Togwell, 67), Powell, Sorondo, Borrowdale; Kaviedes, Hughes (sub Black, 46), Derry, Soares; Shipperley (Capt.), Ventola (sub Freedman, 46)

Subs not used:- Cronin; Wilson

Booked:- Powell

There was an element of deja vue at Broadhall Way, Stevenage tonight, as Spurs failed to overhaul what must have been perceived as weaker opposition, who scored on the break and threatened to do more than that, the day after the first team had squandered two points at home to Norwich. Spurs had carved out enough chances to put the game beyond the reach of newcomers to this competition, but lacked the killer touch, and were also thwarted by the sound goalkeeping of close-season signing Gabor Kiraly (from Hertha Berlin), who must be putting Speroni's first team place at risk.

On a very wet and windy night, there was plenty to be seen in the Lilywhite shirts to give heart to those fans watching, and promise for the future. There were the first sightings of Reto Ziegler, who played throughout on the left wing, and then Sphase Dilevski replaced Simon Davies on the opposite flank for the last 25 minutes to get his first taste of English football. Both will need a while to find their feet, but it looks like they will get plenty of opportunities to do just that at reserve level.

One could also see just why Anthony Gardner and Rohan Ricketts are struggling to establish a footing in the first team squad. Gardner was more assured than his central defence partner, Stephen Kelly, but played enough short balls and passes to give concern at times, whilst Ricketts, playing out of his natural position, often failed to capitalise on good positions, trying to do a little too much on the ball, before distribution.

The star of the show for me though was Mbulelo "Old John" Mabizela, who played the best I have seen him in Spurs colours, in the defensive midfield slot. Mabizela was in great form, winning so many balls in the middle and covering at the back, passing well, and nearly capping his evening with a cracking goal that would have been, without the intervention of the keeper. John Jackson too was influential in an inside midfield position, and also had a number of good efforts on goal.

Palace too featured a few well-known individuals, such as Northern Ireland International Michael Hughes, who perhaps deserved a special cheer from the Spurs fans for his "savagery" last week, skipper Neil Shipperley, and recent signing Ventola up front. Hughes and Ventola are clearly being preserved for Palace's next Premiership encounter, which comes on Saturday in a winnable fixture against Manchester City. They were replaced by former Arsenal Youth player Tommy Black, and veteran striker Dougie Freedman, both of whom were influential in the second half. Ian Dowie was on the touchline during the warm up, and in the stand to watch his protégés closely, whilst it looked like Hans Segers and Dominique Cuperley were the senior Spurs representatives.

Lee Barnard played a strong role up front, holding the ball up well, and giving Powell (formerly of Brentford) and Sorondo plenty to think about. Sorondo did well as early as the third minute to keep Barnard at bay and concede an early corner. Simon Davies showed plenty of skill on the wing, both in avoiding crunching tackles and passing players on the attack, but at the back, Spurs had a scare as Stephen Kelly's back pass was short, but was cleared before a Palace player latched onto the ball.

After 21 minutes, Mabizela did well to win the ball in the midfield, and sent a good ball down the middle to Barnard, who fed Ifil. Ifil's cross was cleared out to Jackson who hit a great left foot dipping shot about a yard over the bar. Five minutes later Ricketts did carry the ball into the Palace area with a tricky run, just losing out to Kiraly, who snatched the ball from Rohan's feet. Ifil angled a ball in Barnard's direction, and the striker did well to win it off the defence, turning sharply to hit a shot across the goalmouth, but wide. Davies slipped a ball to Jackson from an inside left position, but Jackson's shot went wide without testing the keeper, which was too often the story of the night. However, Spurs did take a deserved lead just before the break. Again it was a move started by Mabizela, with a ball through the middle to Ricketts, who held the ball, turned and fed Barnard, who had found space and beaten any offside decision, before slotting home with a right foot shot across the keeper and into the net.

After the break, Palace had one header go over Burch's bar, before Davies, after a 1-2 with Barnard hit a low shot taken well by the keeper. Soon after that Davies was through again, and this time he hit a shot high into the side netting. Powell got the only booking of the night for a late crunching challenge on Ricketts who practically begged the referee not to book his opponent, which is to his credit in an age when too many players seek the opposite. The Palace equaliser came from a swift break following a Spurs attack. Ziegler was trying hard but struggling to make his ground as Palace raced down the right, the ball went into the middle and then back to that man Freedman in a similar position to Barnard, scoring a similar goal.

Mabizela responded within minutes, with a cracking shot, well saved by Kiraly for a corner, from which Ziegler headed down, only to see that green shirt pick up the ball. With fifteen minutes to go, Ziegler let fly with a shot from fully 25 yards on the inside left channel, but it was on the wrong side of the stanchion. Skipper Goran Bunjevcevic tried to inspire his team more and more, with his forward runs from the left back position, and his cross was headed backwards by Jackson for Dilevski, to give the youngster a great chance, but he shot wide.

Spurs had a narrow escape when Black's 86th minute shot was deflected for a corner, and just before the end, another Mabizela win in the middle gave Jackson a final chance which was well held by that man Kiraly, to ensure the visitors a share of the points.

Spurs are at home again next week, when they entertain another set of newcomers at this level - Norwich City. Spurs Odyssey will be there, and will also report on this Saturday's game at Spurs Lodge for the under 18 side.

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