FA Premier Academy League – South
   Spurs Lodge, Luxborough Lane, Chigwell
    Saturday 19th September 2007, 11.30am
 
         SPURS      V     BRISTOL CITY  
      (All White)          (Red/Black)
         4-4-2                4-4-2
 
          3(2)                 1(1)
 
     Oscar Jansson  1 Megyori Balazs
   Daniel Hutchins  2 Chris Williams
  Yuri Berchiche(C) 3 Martin Slocombe
           Sam Cox  4 James Wilson
     Calum Butcher  5 Luke Wilkinson
    Steven Caulker  6 Andy Rose
 Kyle Fraser-Allen  7 Ryan Child
      Dean Parrett  8 Frank Artus(C) 
    Jonathan Obika  9 Robert Stambolziev
        Ryan Mason 10 Ashley Kington
   Andros Townsend 11 Joe McClennan

      David Hutton 12 Ross Stearn
        (7)68Mins.    (7)53Mins.
      Jamie Butler 13      
        Alex Olsen 14 Marlon Jackson
                      (11)53Mins.
   Takura Mtandari 15 Nick Dunn
        (3)77Mins.    (5)82Mins.
      Yaser Kasim  16     
        (8)55Mins.

Coach:-
   A. Inglethope      J. Clayton

Scorers:-
      Townsend 17     Kington  37          
         Obika 24
        Hutton 79    

Bookings:-
Townsend 86(Behind)

Ref:-
    Mr. B. Williams

This morning's game was played in driving rain on a wet pitch which did not prevent either side playing some good football. Considering the weather, there was a good sized crowd for the game which kicked off late due to the visitors being delayed.

Spurs lined up with Caulker alongside Butcher at the back with Hutchins at right back and captain for the day Berchiche at left back. Cox and Parrett lined up in centre midfield with Fraser-Allen on the right wing and Townsend on the left. Mason played behind Obika up front. Starting for the first time in goal was Jansson who I understand arrived last season.

Spurs kicked off attacking into the rain towards the South end and Obika hit a wild shot wide in the second minute. The Robins replied soon after with a weak shot by Child, which was saved, and an effort by Artus over the bar. Mason then put a free kick from Townsend over the bar as Spurs started to put pressure on the visitors.

Mason had another effort saved by Balazs before Spurs took the lead. A long ball out to Townsend put him clear of Williams and his cross shot across the keeper went inside the far post. A low drive from Mason hit the left hand post just after. Wilkinson headed a free kick wide for the visitors before Parrett went wide for Spurs.

Obika ran onto a through ball in the right channel and twisted and turned before flighting a lovely volley past Balazs for the second. The pace of Fraser-Allen and Townsend was causing City plenty of problems, and with Mason driving through the centre Spurs were well on top. Townsend drove a shot in that the keeper saved at the near post.

City reorganised and began to come more into the game and after a scramble in the box, Kington hit the ball over the bar. City scored from a free kick some 30 yards out when Kington put the ball into the area, and with players moving across his line of sight, Jansson reacted late getting a hand to it as it went in. Spurs came close to increasing the lead when from Mason’s corner Balazs saved Caulker’s downward header on the line.

There were no changes for the second half as Bristol started with Stambolziev putting an effort over the bar. Spurs responded with Mason lifting the ball over the visitors bar before Clayton made two changes inside of ten minutes. Inglethorpe made a change himself by replacing Parrett with Kasim.

Berchiche tried his luck from distance before Artus hit a shot over. Hutchins, who had made a couple of good runs in support of Fraser-Allen, got in a tussle with Artus and swung a fist in his direction, but lucky for him the ref just gave them a talking to. Hutton came on for Fraser-Allen on the right as Spurs tried to keep the pressure on.

Mason had an effort saved, before Stearn picked up a clearance and drove it in from 30 yards. Jansson tipped the shot around the post at full stretch. Mtandari came on for Berchiche and went to right back with Hutchins moving to the left side. With City pushing forward more, Spurs hit them on the break with the pace of Townsend and Obika especially dangerous.

Townsend made a break down the left and having beaten the defender, fired a shot which Balazs could only push into the path of Hutton arriving at the far post. David did not miss from close range.

Spurs were still sending up the big men for deadball kicks and when Townsend lost possession on the edge of the City area he brought down Stearn as they broke clear down the right. It cost him a yellow card but prevented a chance of a goal. With time running out City pressed for a goal and Janssen had to save from Artus, and another free kick from Kington.

This was another good result for the Academy side as they close the gap on second placed Leicester City who were held to a draw. It was a good performance in difficult conditions against Bristol, who beat Leeds in the Youth cup during the week. Spurs should have kept a clean sheet. Again the pace and control of our wide players was the basis of our play, while the running of Mason through the middle creates many openings. Today there was also a strong bench, which with the announced participation in the forthcoming Italian tournament bodes well. Next week they are away to Birmingham City before entertaining the group leaders Aston Villa. These games are likely to be affected by the tournament.

On Monday the Reserves will play Chelsea at Brisbane Road, kicking off at 7pm. The Blues held us to a draw in the away fixture at Brentford.

Ray

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