Reserves - Arsenal v Tottenham 12/11/97

Arsenal reserve match

Avon Insurance Combination, 12 November 1997

Tottenham 1 Arsenal 1

Scorer: Keown

Just back from a chilly evening at Brisbane Road where our reserve team took on the scum's reserves. Firstly, and I don't know why I was surprised by this, entry to the ground cost 4 quid (it's bad enough paying 20+ to watch their first team). For those of you that don't know reserve games at THOF are free.

The line up was: Manninger; Crowe, Keown, Marshall, Wicks; McGowan, Vernazza, Hughes R; Muntasser, Wreh, Boa Morte Subs: Gislason (for Hughes), Douglas (for Wreh), Day (not used).

Notable omissions - Mendez, Hughes S [nb on Eng U21 duty], Upson

The scum team included Clemence, Nethercott, Fox, Neilson and Fenn.

The game was pretty poor, being totally dominated by a referee, a Mr Clingo, who seemed to whistle incessantly. Net result - 7 yellow cards, 1 red card, 2 penalties and no continuity.

For the first 70 minutes neither keeper was really tested. Boa Morte hit the post in the first 5 mins with a free kick from fully 35 yards. The next major action was 10 mins before half time when Wreh decided to punch clear a scum corner. However Manninger produced a brilliant save from the penalty.

Just after half time the ref gave a dodgy pen to the scum after a 'foul' by Marshall. This time Clemence sent Manninger the wrong way. The turning point was the substitution of Andrew Douglas for Wreh. Up to then the forwards had little penetration and noticably lacked pace. The pacy Douglas linked well with Muntasser and caused problems. The equaliser came when a corner was headed home by Keown (I think). We totally dominated the last 20 minutes and Baardsen saved well from Boa Morte. Although the scum could have scored near the end when Fenn headed wide when unmarked. the final score was 1-1.

The game ended in controversy when scum sub Maher went in 'studs-up' on Manninger and was dismissed. On the disciplinary front our bookings were for Marshall, Boa Morte, Hughes and McGowan (who starts a 3 match ban next week after already reaching 5 bookings). Boa was booked for persistent diving, although the first alleged dive was given as a free-kick.

Outstanding player was again Vernazza, who oozes class in the middle of the park. Also 'tricky winger' Fox only once beat our left back Wicks, who is of course 7th choice centre-half. Nuff sed. The difference in class, skill, strength and confidence between the two teams was marked.

For me the interesting thing was the way the teams approached the game. As with most reserve games the Arsenal team and coaches view the game as a training exercise in match circumstances (hence we kept switching between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2). The result is irrelevant. For the scum, their coach Chris Hughton, was up throughout the game, cajoling his players. They take it very seriously.

BTW my friends who follow the youths tell me to note the name Lee Canoville. Currently 16, playing centre-half and better than Rio Ferdinand in their opinion. Someone said that he's the best seen in that position. Time will tell.

report by Marc Norden

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