Training ground Friendly match
           Spurs Lodge, Chigwell, Essex.
          Wednesday 18th May 2011, 2pm k.o.


              SPURS      v    RWANDA 
           (White/Blue)    (Yellow/Blue)
              4-4-2            4-4-2

               0(0)            0(0) 

2nd Half – Miles, Stewart, Ekong, Sheriff, Day, McEvoy, Hawkins, Tapping, Champion, Munns(Carvell 59), Lancaster.

Sent off – Ekong 77 (Holding – last man)

RWANDA – Ntalibi, Habyarimana(Seff 46)), Bayisenge, Usengimana, Rutanga(Ndayishimiye 46), Nsabimana(Ndatimana 30), Nsengayire, Tibingana, Buteera(Benedata 70), Justin(Itangishaka 70), Rugabo(Mugabo 80).

Unused subs. - Hategekimana, Rusheshangoga, Kakira.

It was a cool and overcast afternoon for this U-17 friendly match in which Inglethorpe used a large number of players, including trialists, against the visitors with an eye to the up-coming Copa Amsterdam tournament at the end of the month. The visitors were supported by a vocal group on the sidelines. Strangely we were given a teamsheet for the visitors but not for Spurs so I apologise for any errors.

Spurs lined up in the first half with Archer in goal behind Yeboah and Oscar with Stewart on the right and Barthram on the left. Nicholson partnered Luongo in the centre of midfield with Christian on the right and Williams on the left. Munns supported Oyenuga up front.

Spurs kicked off attacking the South end, but found their opponents quick, strong and hard to break down. Christian did good work down the right, well supported by Stewart, and had the first chance which he fired over. The visitors were always looking to set up their front two of Buteera and Justin, who liked to shoot early and Justin had their first effort that was wide.

Nsabimana got forward to drive over before Munns played in Christian who drove wide of the far post. Tibigana fired in a shot from the left that hit Yeboah's hands on the edge of the area. Bayisenge thumped the free kick against the crossbar. Nsengayire fired over before a long range effort from Buteera hit the post. Oyenuga tried a snap shot that went over the bar before Nicholson found him with a long pass but he fired over again. From a corner Stewart saw his header cleared off the line.

Spurs made mass changes for the second half with Miles replacing Archer in goal. Sheriff and Ekong took over at the back with Stewart remaining at right back but Day coming on at left back. Hawkins and Tapping went into the centre of midfield with McEvoy on the right and Champion on the left. Munns supporting Lancaster up front. Spurs did not have any shirts numbered higher than 18 so Tapping and Champion both had the number 15 on their backs. The visitors also made a couple of changes.

Munns had an early effort that the keeper saved easily before the visitors stepped up a gear and began to pressurise the home side. They were not allowing them much time on the ball.

Miles saved a free kick by Bayisenge before Stewart got to the line and crossed deep for Hawkins at the far post which he put wide. Munns was replaced by Carvell, a trialist and the second No.16 to partner the other up front. Miles saved Buteera's powerful shot which fell to Justin coming in at the far post who fired over. Buteera had another two efforts that went over before Miles was called on to make a double save. First from a drive by Bayisenge and then the follow up from Tibingana.

Spurs were being pinned back and Nsengayire fired over a free kick before an effort by Seff from a corner was blocked. Seff then got the better of Ekong and the defender pulled him back to receive a red card for being the last man. With the man advantage the Rwandans kept the pressure on with Ndayishimiye drawing a save from Miles. Benedata fired in a volley that beat the keeper but struck the crossbar. Seff drove over before Tibingana shot wide in the last minute.

I feel that the Spurs players came into this game thinking that they could take it easy but were soon given a rude awakening. The Rwanda side meant business and were well organised and did not pull out of any tackles. They did not allow Spurs to settle and get into a rhythm pushing them onto the back foot for much of the second half. The first had been fairly even but the replacements in the second half were not allowed to get into the game. Spurs were lucky to come away with a draw thanks in no small part to the woodwork.The only players that stood out for Spurs were Stewart and Christian on the right side.

Ray