Premier Academy League, Group B
        Alan Higgs Centre, Coventry
     Saturday 10th April 2010, 11.30am

     COVENTRY CITY     v        SPURS
    (All Sky Blue)          (White/Blue)
         4-4-2                  4-4-2

          2(0)                   6(4 ) 

Coach – G. Rioch

Scorers – No.15 73
No. 4 88

Booked – No.11 57(Late)

Spurs Team – Archer, Barthram(Tapping 69), Francis-Angol(Dombaxe 51), Nicholson, Byrne, Durojaiye, Pritchard, Carroll, Oyenuga(Jack 77), Kane(C), M'Poku

Coach – A. Inglethorpe

Scorers – M'Poku 7, 35 Oyenuga 19 Kane 26, 80 Dombaxe 59

It was a warm sunny morning for the Academy's first game back which must have reminded them of Dallas. This was the third time that we have been here to watch this fixture, which was finally played after two postponements. As there were no teamsheets I am unable to name the home side but received the Spurs side via a contact.

Spurs lined up with Archer in goal and Byrne and Durojaiye in front of him. Barthram made his first start at right back with Francis-Angol on the left. Nicholson and Carroll started in the centre of midfield with Pritchard on the right side and M'Poku on the left. Kane returned from England duty to support Oyenuga up front. With the U-16's also playing Inglethorpe only had three subs on the bench due to the lack of fit players at the club.

Spurs defended the east end of the pitch but were soon on the attack with Carroll hitting a free kick over in the second minute and it was not long before they were in front. Quirke in the Coventry goal was wearing a cap because of the bright sunlight which did not help as M'Poku drove a low ball across him from about 30 yards out.

Kane was played in but his effort was blocked by a defender for a corner. Coventry attacked down the left and one of the strikers fired in a shot that came back off the crossbar. They were made to pay for that miss when Barthram crossed from the right. The sky blues failed to clear and Oyenuga hooked the ball over his head to score.

Wilson got free but fired wide before he thumped another effort against the underside of the bar and out to safety. Again the home side paid for that that miss when Spurs went up the other end with Barthram getting to the line and pulling the ball back for Kane to score.

Quirke then miss-hit a clearance which was picked up by Oyenuga who played in M'Poku but he hit the post with his effort. Quirke redeemed himself by saving from Kane after he was played in by Carroll. A short corner on the left was crossed for Barthram to strike over first time. Coventry fired over from a free kick before M'Poku robbed a defender near the centre circle and had a clear run on goal to slot the ball to Quirke's left to make it four. He should have had a hat-trick when Oyenuga put him through but he lifted the ball over the bar. Pritchard headed off the line from Wilson following a free kick with Bottomer following up to firing wide. They put another free kick wide before the end of the half.

Coventry started the second half well with Wilson drawing a save from Archer who had to make another two before Inglethorpe took off Francis-Angol for Dombaxe who went into midfield with Carroll dropping to left back. Dombaxe made a quick impression and got through into the area and tried to chip the keeper but the ball went just wide. A minute later and he was played in on the left by Oyenuga and finished with a low drive to make it 5-0.

After Coventry went wide M'Poku fired over. Barthram was replaced by Tapping. Oyenuga played a one-two with Kane to slot the ball past Quirke only for it to be ruled out for offside. Wilson crossed for one of the subs to score on the turn to get a goal back. Inglethorpe replaced Oyenuga with Jack as he looked to close out the game. Kane was played in by Carroll but his effort was saved by the keeper for a corner. Carroll took the corner which was headed on by Dombaxe for Kane at the far post to knock in. Archer saved from Leluu at the expense of a corner. Coventry kept trying and were rewarded with a second goal from a corner but it was too late. Kane played M'Poku in but his effort was saved during added time.

With a weakened squad Spurs keep up the chase on leaders Leicester closing the gap to seven points having scored an amazing 70 goals so far. A lot of the one touch passing was evident as they continually broke through the Coventry ranks and should have scored at least the eight that they got in the reverse fixture. Barthram impressed again after his introduction at the Dallas Cup and Dombaxe slotted into the midfield without a problem.

Next saturday the U-18's will be at Portsmouth, but may have a game in the week if Chelsea are prepared to play our revised fixture at the Lodge.

Ray

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