FA Premier Academy League
Shenley Sports Ground, Colney, Herts.
5th November 2005, ko 10.35am

WATFORD 1(1) SPURS 1(0)

Watford Scorer:-
5 - 14 mins

Spurs Scorer:-
Barcham - 55 mins

Spurs team (4-5-1):- Button; Riley, Mills (capt.), Archibald-Henville, Hughton (sub Livermore, 55); Mackie, Lewis, Martin, Dixon, Seanla; Barcham (sub Hamed, 55)(sub Smith, 63)

Unused subs - Forcast, Kyriacou, Lake

It was a chilly morning with a low sun shining into the small crowd's eyes as we tried to pick out the players before the kick-off.

Spurs lined up with David Button in goal, Leigh Mills and Troy Archibald-Henville took up their usual postion at the heart of the defence with Chris Riley at right back and Cian Hughton at left. Stuart Lewis was joined by Joe Martin and Terry Dixon in centre midfield with trialist Hector Mackie wide on the right and Claude Seanla on the left.

Spurs started slowly against a strong quick Hornets side who created a number of good chances, which the 9 failed to convert on three occasions when through on goal. Martin had a drive flash past the far post early on, but there were few clear chances for the visitors. The home side took the lead when Spurs failed to clear a corner and the centre back scrambled the ball over the line in a melee of legs. Spurs were finding it hard to break down the Watford defence which were quick to prevent the final ball and closed down players quickly.

Spurs came out for the second half in more determined mood and played more balls over the home sides defence which kept a high line.

Chances appeared for Seanla and Barcham with the two combining for the equaliser. Seanla got down the left before cutting inside and pulled the ball back for Barcham to turn into the far corner.

Holland immediately brought on Radwan Hamed for Barcham and Livermore for Hughton. Jake Livermore took up Martin's midfield role with Joey dropping to full back. Hamed's pace through the middle lasted for only five minutes before he took a bad knock as he tried to break throught three defenders just outside the box. He did not recover and had to be replaced by Alex Smith. Hopefully he was not too badly injured as he was on crutches at the final whistle. Mackie initally moved to the strikers position before swapping places with Seanla.

For the middle part of the half Spurs had the better of the game and had two goals ruled out for offside before the home side pressed for a winner near the end. The game was well contested with just a couple of clashes which earned the participants lectures from the ref. Watford saw fit to replace the right back after a clash with Lewis on the touchline.

A well earned point from a game that was evenly contested with the home side slightly the better of the teams. This came on the back of the U-18's first away win at Ipswich on Friday when they overcame a two goal margin at halftime to win 3-2. The draw still leaves Watford above us in the table on goal difference. First impressions of Dixon who is an U-16 were quite favourable. He started tentively but had a solid game. Mackie showed lots of skill and impressed down the right. Not as quick as Davis but consistantly beat the full back with nice touches and if taken on will improve the squad.

The U-18's will be away next week again when they go to the MK Dons before their next game at the Lodge on the 19th, with a 12 Noon kick off. As the Hammers game has been moved to sunday I will be there. Before that the Reserves, who no doubt will have some of the youngsters in tow, have a home game at Stevenage when the visitors will be Leicester City.

Ray

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