FA Premier Academy League South
Spurs Lodge, Luxborough Lane, Essex
Saturday 8th October 2005, 12.03am

Spurs U-18s 0 (0) BRISTOL CITY U-18s 3 (2)

Scorer:-
Benyon, 6,15,53 (pen)

Teams:-
Spurs (4-5-1):- Button; Smith (sub lewis, 60), Archibald-Henville, Mills (Capt.), Hughton (sub Riley, 60); Dawkins, Maghome, Wells, Martin, Seanla (sub 16, 83); Hamed

Subs not used included:- Livermore, Peprah, Lake

Bristol City (4-4-2):- Included Leaman, Allward, Barnes, Haskins, Benyon, Klein-Davis

( N.B. I apologise in advance for any mistakes in the teams as without a team-sheet and my usual sources of information I have had to guess a little.)

It was a cloudy, cool morning with a brisk wind for today's match which saw a smaller than usual audience despite being joined by listees Paul Smith and David Hutchings. Also present were Martin Jol with Clive Allen and Terry Dyson. (Ed: I also spotted Alvin Martin, keeping an eye on his son's progress)

The team lined up with Leigh Mills and Troy Archibald-Henville at the back as last week, but with Alex Smith and Cian Hughton as full backs. Joe Martin was pushed into midfield with Jacques Maghoma and Matthew Wells. Simon Dawkins and Claude Seanla again took up wide positions in support of Radwan Hamed up front.

The visitors kicked off attacking the North end with the wind behind them and took an early lead when following a corner the ball was lofted into the box. Button back-pedalling failed to hold onto the ball which was gratefully accepted by Benyon. Spurs were having more of the ball during this opening spell and continued after this shock and you could sense that they had the confidence to bounce back until the Robins got their second.

The home side conceded a free-kick about 25yds out which Barnes fired through the wall. Button was down quickly but failed to hold and Benyon was on hand to tap in the loose ball for his second. (Ed: My recollection is that the free kick-over the wall-was tipped onto the bar by Button, but it bounced back into Benyon's path)

Spurs began to push forward more as it dawned on them that they might lose. Seanla and Dawkins both went close and in a goal mouth scramble from a corner Seanla hit a post before Leaman held the follow up. Spurs kept up the pressure without managing to put the ball into the net although a Dawkins cross shot hit the inside of the far post and was cleared.

Pat Holland kept faith with the starting eleven in the second half, but had to do something after Mills conceded a penalty converted by Benyon for his hat-trick. He brought on the experienced Chris Riley and Stuart Lewis for Hughton and Smith. Martin dropped to right back to accommodate Lewis.

Despite the increased tempo the City defence held firm with Leaman having to just make a couple of good saves.

It was not a full strength side as Holland gave a number of first year scholars a run out saving more experienced lads for a possible game in the Reserves on Monday. Bristol took their chances and deserved their win. Next week the U-18s will be going to Coventry seeking their first away win.

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