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Courtesy of:- Ray Lo, and the Spurs List.
Premier Academy League Under 17, group D
Spurs Lodge, Chigwell, Essex
Saturday 25th January, 2003, k.o. 11am
SPURS v ARSENAL
(White/Blue) (Red/White)
3-5-2 4-4-2
3(1) 1(0)
Nicky Eyre 1 M. Howard
Charlie Lee 2 K. Gilbert
Liam Francis 3 M. Suliaman
Kieran McKenna 4 P. Gregg
Andy Hodges 5 D. Small
Ricky Dobson 6 S. Oji
Joe Watson 7 M. Arty
Jamie O'Hara 8 N. Killkenny
Andy Barcham 9 D. McDonald
Owen Price 10 R. Smith
David Hicks(C) 11 S. O'Donnell(C)
Gareth Jenkins 12 I. Hojsted
(8)80Mins
Tommy Forecast 13 S. Thomas
Tommy Welch 14 Quincy Owusu
(11)90Mins (9)59Mins
Mark Wright 15 S. Lewis
(3)88Mins
16 D. Shimin
(3)30Mins
Scorers:- Barcham 45, 86, Owusu 60, Price 65
Booked - Gregg 50 (persistent fouling), Small 84(late tackle)
On a morning that started with rain and ended appropriately in sunshine, a
good sized crowd turned up for this North London derby and saw a good game
of fast good natured football.
Spurs lined up with Hodges flanked by Lee and Dobson at the back, with Francis on the left as a wingback. The midfield trio of Hicks, McKenna and new signing O'Hara (facing his old clubmates) had Watson on the right with Price partnering Barcham in attack.
We defended the left end in the first half with new boy O'Hara adding more
physical presence to our midfield from the start as both sides set a fast
pace which was maintained thoughout. The Gooners had the first chance
inside five minutes when the very quick Gilbert got to the line and his
centre was volleyed just wide by McDonald. Five minutes later Price ran
onto a through ball and lifted it over the advancing Howard and the bar.
Both sides produced good approach play which in most cases was nullified by
good defending with Spurs having slighty the better of the play. The pacy
Gilbert was stopping Francis getting forward which meant that most of our
wide play was down the right. Barcham had a good game up front despite not
being very tall. He caused problems for the Arsenal backline, forcing a number of
corners, and Price seemed to have a shoot on sight policy whenever he got
within 30 yards.
They say that the best time to score is just before the interval and that is what Spurs did. Price picked up the ball on the right and put in a deep centre, Barcham out-paced two defenders to meet the ball at the near post to head strongly past Howard on the line.
The visitors started the second half with more effort as they sought a quick
reply going to three at the back and nearly scoring when Smith pushed the ball
past Eyre and McDonald fire wide. This led to his substitution and
their equaliser. Spurs had a free kick on the left deep in our own half
which Dobson played short to Francis near the halfway line but was
intercepted and played into the area. Owusu who had just come on and taken
up position behind Hodges and so was on his blind side when the ball was
played through and took full advantage to beat Eyre from ten yards.
The Gooners' joy was short lived when the quick thinking of Price allowed him to
nick the ball off a defender and hit a dipping volley from 25 yards. It was a
stunning strike that lifted the side and drew applause from the crowd. It was
one of about six long range shots that Owen had during the game, all of which were good
efforts.
The pace told on O'Hara and Francis who both had to be replaced as
the game continued to flow until the game was settled in the 86th minute.
Price's near post corner was headed on by McKenna for Barcham who had his
back to goal, but hooked the ball over the keeper into the net for his
second and Spurs' third.
This was a good result for Spurs as both teams played good football and on
the day were well matched. There were good performances. Firstly from Lee in defence, who was
quick and strong despite giving away a few inches in height. In addition, O'Hara who may
have had a point to prove was well worth the money paid for him, and of course Price who made one and scored one.
There are no games next week with both teams playing away the following
Saturday (U-19 at West Ham, U-17 at Watford) so I will be having a lie-in
next week.
Ray
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