FA ACADEMY UNDER 18s LEAGUE (South)
(at Spurs Lodge)
SATURDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2004
SPURS U-18s 3 (1) IPSWICH U-18s 2 (1)

Spurs scorers:-
Maghoma, 33
Dawkins, 87
Barcham, 90

Ipswich scorers:-
Hammond, 8 mins
Knights, 59 mins

With many thanks to Ipswich fan James Ager who went to a great deal of effort to ascertain the Ipswich team.

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; McKenna (Capt.), Welch (sub Riley, 34), Mills, Wright; Heller (sub Seanla, 82), Lewis, Maghoma, Daniels; Thyer (sub Dawkins, 66), Barcham

Subs included:- Eyre; Kyriacou, Lee; Stevens

Booked:- Lewis; Maghoma

Ipswich (4-4-2):- Supple; Synott, Casement, Krause, Craig (Capt.); Lordan, Beveridge, Garvan, Knights; Hammond (sub Guentchev, 74), 10 (sub Haynes, 78)

Booked:- Casement, Garvan, Haynes

Sent off:- Garvan (second yellow for a dissent offence in stoppage time)

Spurs came back with two goals in the last three minutes, to snatch victory, when a draw would have been a fair result. With only one competitive team allowed in the Premiership Academy League now, Spurs have a lot of young players to keep active and happy. This was a strong side for this level, but they were behind twice in the game, and were on the back foot for much of the first half against a very strong wind. The rain held off though, and a healthy gathering of the usual friends, family and aficionados were entertained by some hard-fought football.

Spurs featured Leigh Mills in the centre-back slot, and whilst senior player Kieran McKenna skippered the side, Mills gave vocal support and guidance to his colleagues in a way which clearly indicated his Captaincy potential. Both left back Mark Wright, and left winger Charlie Daniels have also skippered the youth sides in the past, so there is plenty of competition for leadership!

Spurs had had an early chance after a good ball from Lewis to Barcham, who used his strength to great effect to get a right foot shot on target from an angle. The keeper pushed the ball out for a corner, but within five minutes, Spurs were caught on the hop as Ipswich's right back - Synott - made a great run through the middle, feeding the ball to Hammond, who beat any offside appeal, and beat Forecast with a right foot shot, driven low. Ipswich retained the upper hand for a while, and after a corner their skipper (Craig)at left back put the ball into the area and the left winger - Knights - scooped the ball over. Knights was possibly Ipswich's man of the match, as he supplemented the front two with his runs into the area, and capped that with their second goal after the break.

After 26 minutes, Forecast rescued Spurs after Welch's short back pass was collected by Clarke, only for Tommy to dive and snatch the ball bravely off his feet. At last Spurs started to play ground football against the wind, and they had some good plays down the right, where Heller made some good runs, carrying the ball and beating defenders. Spurs had had a penalty appeal turned down as a Heller cross seemed to be beaten down, but shortly after Mark Wright tried his arm with a powerful drive from 25 yards that was just over the bar.

The Spurs equaliser was a reward for more good build up play down the right, but had an element of fortune about it. Daniels and Heller played a short corner, before Daniels' cross was fed to Maghoma by Lewis. Maghoma made good room for himself and hit a great low left foot shot, that crept beneath the keeper who should have held the ball. Welch had to be replaced by Riley before the break, and there were signs of uncompromising play by both sides, as the challenges got stronger. Lewis was booked before the break, then Casement got his name in the book for a nasty challenge upon Barcham, who had been having plenty of success against bigger players opposing him.

Daniels brought a confidence giving save from the Ipswich keeper with a 52nd minute free kick, before Garvan got a yellow card for a late foul on McKenna. McKenna is usually found in the middle for Spurs, and struggled at times against the pace of the Blues' left winger. Ipswich took the lead again after another run by a full back, this time Craig, who threaded a ball to number Knights, who had all the time in the world to finish off.

The Ipswich left winger left McKenna in his wake and set up number Hammond who had a great shot tipped onto the bar by Forecast, playing one of his best games that I have seen. Simon Dawkins replaced Thyer, and was to have good effect, but not before Garvan had a goal-bound shot blocked and deflected for a corner. Dawkins passed out to Heller, and from his cross, Barcham had a good shot blocked, which Maghoma picked up, only to bring another save from the keeper. Barcham tested the keeper again with a self-made opportunity on the edge of the box.

Pat Holland replaced Heller with Seanla, and now Spurs had three up front, with Barcham tending towards the right. It was all hands to the pump, and with three minutes left, Simon Dawkins collected a ball from the right, slid the ball right of the defender and beat the keeper with a well-placed low shot. Ipswich had a late chance through that man Knights again, hit narrowly wide across the keeper, before Andy Barcham snatched that victory thanks to the three-pronged attack, and a good finish from 12 yards. Garvan got a late second yellow for dissent, and Spurs finished the game in very jubilant mood!

The reserves had been training in the morning, and they face Norwich at Broadhall Way, Stevenage on Monday night. I understand the first team were scheduled to train this afternoon, and stay the night as a squad in a London hotel, despite the short trip across London tomorrow. Spurs Odyssey will report exclusively on both matches.

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