Premier U-21 League 2013-4
           Staplewood Training Ground,
                   Marchwood .
        Friday 28th February 2014, 7.30.pm.

          SOUTHAMPTON    v     SPURS
          (Red/White)        (All Blue)
             4-3-3             4-3-3

              1(0)              0(0)

           Cody Cropper  1 Jordan Archer
         Jason McCarthy  2 Alexander McQueen
           Matt Targett  3 Connor Ogilvie
           Dominic Gape  4 Laste Dombaxe
          Jack Stephens  5 Giancarlo Gallifouco
        Jordan Turnbull  6 Kevin Stewart(C)
          Jake Sinclair  7 Kenneth McEvoy
             Harry Reed  8 Harry Winks
            Sam McQueen  9 Souleymane Coulibaly
         Jake Flannigan 10 Ruben Lameiras
          Lloyd Isgrove 11 Shaquile Coulthirst

             Matt Young 12 Aaron McEneff
                           (10)76Mins
            Chris Johns 13 Jonathan Miles
            Ryan Seager 14 Nathan Oduwa
             (11)76Mins    (9)61Mins
           Jake Hesketh 15 William Miller
                           (8)73Mins
            Corby Moore 16 

Scorer:-     
            Targett 80 

Booked:-    
       Reed 38(Holding)
       McCarthy 90(Foul)

Coaches:-  
       M. Hunter           P. Brush 

Referee:– R. Hulme
Assistants:- D. Bonnywell & D. Berry
Fourth Official:– G. Kimber-Sweatman

It was a damp cool evening for the trip to Southampton where the rebuilding of the training ground restricted access to the public. The pitch used had floodlights and a near complete grandstand(I hope it is ready for our next visit). The spectators used a large standing area opposite the new stand which looks pretty good.

Spurs lined up with Archer in goal behind Gallifuoco and Stewart in place of the suspended Ball, with McQueen at right back and Ogilvie on the left. Dombaxe anchored the midfield trio with Winks and Lameiras. Coulibaly led the line with McEvoy on his right and Coulthirst to his left. The "Saints" keeper - Cropper - has just been called up by Jurgen Klinsmann for his USA squad.

Spurs defended the North end in the first half. With both sides playing 4-3-3, and using pace on the wings, it was an open game but had a lack of chances as both defences coped well. The only difference between the two sides was the firmer tackling by the home side which the referee allowed. A late tackle from behind early in the game went unpunished, as did a challenge on Dombaxe that left him hobbling for a while after. He was more concerned by Spurs stealing a yard at throw-ins.

Cody Cropper made an early save from Coulthirst before Reed fired wide for Southampton. The home side were awarded a penalty when Stewart was adjudged to have handled a cross by Targett. Archer saved Sinclair's kick diving to his left, pushing the ball onto the post and away.

Dombaxe took a free kick after Coulibaly was fouled and won a corner when Cropper saved. Gallifouco headed wide from the corner. Coulthirst drew another save before Reed was booked for pulling back Winks as he got past him with only the keeper to beat. Dombaxe played the ball square to Lameiras who forced a good save from the keeper. A corner from Winks was headed wide by Coulibaly who saw another effort curl past the far post having come off a defender in added time.

There were no changes at the start of the second half after a break of only eight minutes. Ogilvie got forward to play in Coulibaly for a chance, which he fired wide. Coulibaly was replaced by Oduwa who went to the left side with Coulthirst moving into the middle.

Reed drove over before Coulthirst fired wide and Spurs made their second change with McEneff replacing Winks in midfield. Archer saved from Sinclair before both sides made a change. Seager came on from Southampton who changed to 4-4-2 and Miller replaced Lameiras in midfield.

Seager quickly set up a chance for McQueen, which was saved by Archer. The "Saints" won a free kick on the right following an Ogilvie tackle which saw the home side send their big men forward. Targett curled the ball into the net at the near post catching out Archer for Southampton to take the lead.

The home side pushed for a second and Sinclair headed over from Seager's cross. Archer saved from McQueen with Seager hitting the rebound over. McCarthy was booked preventing a quick break by Spurs, with McEneff firing wide with the last chance of the game.

This was a narrow victory for the home side in a game of few chances. It was not a negative game as both sides looked to get the ball forward and spread the play in an open game. Spurs had the most chances but could not score.

Spurs' next game is at home to West Bromwich Albion on the 10th March and they need a win to stop the slide down the table. It seems a long time ago when last season Spurs finished top of the table.

Ray

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