FA Premier Academy League – South
     Spurs Lodge, Luxborough Lane, Chigwell
         21st October 2006, 12 noon
 
         SPURS       v      BRISTOL CITY          
     (White/Blue)            (Red/White)
         4-4-2                  4-4-2
 
          0(0)                   0(0)
 
       David Button  1  Lee Ballard
    Takura Mtandari  2  Jordan Walker
       Cian Hughton  3  Martin Slocombe
      Matthew Wells  4  Chris Ribeiro
         Joe Martin  5  James Wilson(C)
  Troy
  Archibald-Henville 6  Iain Carr
        Jamie Davis  7  Tom Hamilton
   Jake Livermore(C) 8  Andy Rose
      Tomas Pekhart  9  Ashley Towler
    Daniel Hutchins 10  Dean Grubb
      David Hutton  11  Aaron Ledgister
 
       Luke Medley  12  Mark Magee
        (4) 56Mins      (7)56Mins
     Richie Stroud  13 
         Jon Obika  14  Ryan Child
         (7)46Mins      (9)76Mins
        Kris Casey  15  Jason Haskins
                        (8)65Mins

It was a cool morning that was a little overcast with a strong breeze blowing from the South. The ground was a little slippery with many of the players losing their footing throughout the game. A small group gathered for this match which started later than usual.

Spurs lined up with Martin and Archibald-Henville at the back with Mtandari at right back and Hughton at left. Livermore and Wells were in the centre of midfield with Davis on the right and Hutton on the left in support of Hutchins and Pekhart up front. This is becoming the standard line-up with probably Dervite to come into the back four. Because of injuries, the bench was made up of trialists as in last weeks game at Villa.

Spurs kicked off attacking the South goal into the wind and had the first effort in the third minute. It soon became clear that both defences were well organised and had little difficulty in keeping the respective keepers safe. There were few corners conceded by either side and fewer free kicks awarded. The referee also kept the game flowing adding only a minute to each half. Both sides were fairly evenly matched with the home side having a slight edge, but not enough to turn the game and after the two substitutions we lost that edge.

It can be summed up as a quiet game with the keepers having to make about ten saves each, mostly routine. Button had two one-to-one situations and Hutton hit the bar in the second half.

This draw has widened the gap with the leaders and with some results still to be released we may have lost ground. Next Saturday Spurs entertain Southampton at the Lodge in a re-arranged fixture and a chance to close the gap on the leaders. Kick off will probably be at 11am.

Ray

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