SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY, 2001
FA CUP 5TH ROUND
King, 5
Davies, 30, 50
Flynn (o.g), 44
Spurs (3-5-2):- Sullivan; Doherty,
Campbell, King; Young, Freund, Sherwood, Leonhardsen (sub Davies,
15), Clemence; Rebrov (sub Korsten, 88), Ferdinand,(sub Thelwell,
67)
Subs not used:- Walker; Etherington
Booked:- Doherty
Stockport (3-5-2):- Jones; Flynn (Capt),
Clare, Grayson; Gibb (sub Connelly,62), Cooper (sub Carrigan, 83),
Nicholson, Wiss, Clark (sub Fradin, 55); Wilbraham, Kuqi
Subs not used:- Dibble(GK); Smith
Booked:- Flynn (foul/Leo), Clare (foul/Rebrov)
Referee:- Mr. C. Wilkes
Attendance:- 36,040
In another example of good pre match
entertainment, the club showed goals from early cup finals (01,
61 and 62, along with the Wolves semi final replay and one of
Gazza’s goals in our 2-1 win at Portsmouth in 1991. Just
what we needed to get us in the mood before the match
Both teams struggled with injuries –
Spurs were without Carr, Anderton, Perry, Tarrico, Armo (and
Thatcher?), while Stockport had several players below par with a
mystery “get the excuse ready early” virus. On a
bright afternoon in N17, Spurs attacked the Park Lane in the
first half.
In what was to prove a comfortable
afternoon for Spurs where everything went to plan, we were
blessed with an early goal. Rebrov was fouled on the right-hand
side of the penalty area, and everybody went forward as new
deadball specialist Clemence stood over the ball. Despite a high
number of assists over the season, Clemence has been guilty of
wasting virtually all of the deadball situations given to him in
the recent matches he has played in, often hitting the ball in
too low to be headed out by the first defender. Fortunately, he
hit a perfect cross, which King managed to glance into the
corner of the net with the faintest of touches. I initially
thought that the ball had gone straight in.
This was a perfect start for Tottenham,
and the goal was greeted by the sun emerging from behind a cloud
to bathe the ground in sunlight and prove that God, as well as
his son, is a yiddo. Spurs played with the confidence of a team
who have been exceptionally tight at the back, but without every
getting out of a comfortable stroll.
As Spurs broke out of defence, Leo
bravely went into a 50/50 with Stockport skipper Flynn and
despite getting his pass in, was taken by Flynn on the knee or
thereabouts and left in a crumpled heap. The ref waved play on
but booked Flynn when the ball was dead. I may change my mind on
this, but I don’t think there was any malice in the tackle
– he was just late after a good bit of play by Leo. Leo
recovered sufficiently from the initial challenge but it had left
its mark and it was soon clear that he was going to have to go
off. Leo has not had much luck in the last 12 months, and while
he may not be the most gifted of players, is a player that always
gives his best and a great player to have in the squad.
One man’s misfortune, is another’s
opportunity. Davies, who’s last significant contribution was
in similar circumstances in the Birmingham cup game earlier this
season where he replaced Freund after about 10 minutes. On that
occasion Spurs went from bad to worse and Davies was the
sacrificial scapegoat at half time. Luckily Davies was n’t
damaged by that awful piece of management, and he fitted in well
to the centre of midfield, moving the ball around well, getting
back to do his defensive duties and making intelligent runs
forward.
Spurs controlled the game at their pace,
despite the best efforts of a spirited by lacking Stockport side.
The next serious chance fell to Clemence after about 20 minutes
who broke into the box beating a defender one way then the other
before hitting a powerful shot at a comfortable height for the
keeper to parry for a corner. Spurs had some joy with short
corners in the first half as Stockport only sent one man to mark
Rebrov and Clemence, but did not create anything of note from
these opportunities.
As I mentioned, it was almost the perfect
match, and just a Stockport managed a few chances Spurs scored
again on the half hour mark. A long ball from Rebrov was
controlled by Ferdinand into the path of the on rushing Davies,
and cool as you like, he controlled the ball with his head to buy
himself some space from the two defenders, checked where the goal
was before hitting a crisp low shot into the corner. A fine goal,
hopefully the first of many over the next decade or so.
Stockport kept pressing and wasted their
best chance soon after when Kuqi met a corner in front of a
labouring Sully at the near post, but he could not direct his
header to the empty goal. Soon after Sully decided to help
Stockport again, by throwing the ball to a Stockport player when
trying to set up a quick counter attack, only for the ball to be
worked to their left wing and crossed for Wiss to beat King
in the air but send his header wide of Sully’s right-hand
post.
Just before half time, Rebrov, on the
right-hand side of the box released the ball to the on rushing
Young in a move that Young, Carr and whoever plays wing back must
have done many times in training. Flynn intercepted Young’s
dangerous cross before it could reach Ferdinand for a simple tap
in, and it trickled over the line. Some justice for Leo’s
knee, as it was Flynn who was involved in the tackle that forced
his early exit.
And that was that – probably the
most comfortable half time at the Lane for quite a while.
After the four barren games in January, I
hoped that they would spoil us with a hatful (against the Hatters
– I’ve got me coat), but it was more quality than
quantity in the second half, with only one more, but the best of
the lot.
Young gave Sherwood possession just
inside the Stockport half on the right-hand side, and he hooked a
perfect pass over his oversized head. Davies ran on to the ball
and controlled it perfectly with his first touch, which put him
un-attended on the edge of the box, he settled himself before
hitting a low shot into passed the keepers right hand and into
the corner of the net. Davies looked delighted with his goal, and
so he should be it was one of the best of the season. and he was
warmly congratulated by the rest of the team, with Freund adding
his usual mania.
Again Stockport did not let their heads
drop and they fought for what would now be a consolation goal.
Spurs played with the composure of a team with a four-goal lead,
and while the never looked devastating the always looked well in
control. Doherty made what are becoming trademark surges from the
back and went on a diagonal from his position as right sided
centre back up to inside left, leaving Stockport players in
his wake. There did seem an opportunity to release Rebrov at one
stage but the Doc could not get in a position to release the ball
and eventually hit it out to Clemence who’s deep cross was
intercepted by the keeper with both Ferdinand and Young ready to
head home.
A tired Ferdinand was replaced by
Thelwell, allowing Doherty to move up front and sparing us
Korsten for the time being. I would have liked to have had
another look at Etherington (instead of Clem) but understood that
even at 4-0 it would have been foolish to have used all the subs
with half an hour to go.
Spurs worked the ball around well outside
the Stockport area and Clemence popped up in the inside right
channel, but wanted too many touches before the keeper came out
to smother his effort. Stockport managed a corner from a Sully
save from a shot that was going well wide and also had a header
near the end which Sully did well to save at close range for all
their clean sheet bonuses.
From one of the Stockport attacks, a
player needed treatment and as Sol went to get a swig of drink
from one of the bottles behind the goal, the Park Lane erupted
into manic cheering and a chorus of “he’s done his
country proud”. It was the sort of reception popstars get at
Airports – a great moment and all credit to our friends in
the Park Lane.
Doherty in his role as centre forward was
sent clear by Sherwood and he powered his way into the box before
blasting a powerful shot which the keeper saved with his legs.
Another great effort by the young lad, but a video of a few of GW
Lineker’s finishes( where he lifts the ball over the
advancing keeper) would add to the quality and energy he
already has in his game.
And that was that. We had to endure a
brief Korsten cameo where he managed to waste a chance with a bad
shot, but overall a very enjoyable game, and already looking
forward to the next round.
Sullivan (6/10) – Not have
much to do and was n’t at his best when Kuqi should have
scored from a corner in the first half, but he maybe had other
things on his mind (Baby due)
King (7/10) – an accomplished
game at the back for King, capped with another early goal to go
with his 10 second effort at Bradford. The watching Erickson will
have been impressed
Campbell (7/10) – as good as
ever.
Doherty (6/10) – a positive
match at the back and played well when switched forward to
replace Les.
Clemence (6/10) – Not a
favourite amongst the crowd, but a decent young player who is
doing his best filling in at a position (left wing back) he is
not altogether comfortable with. Set up the first with a perfect
cross and was unlucky not to score when through on goal in the
second half
Freund (7/10) – again he
played well in the role of ball winning and simple passing. An
essential part of the team
Sherwood (6/10) – The usual
mixture of poor passes, lack of pace and pointing and arm waving.
Did put Davies in with a good pass for our 4th goal.
Leo (-) – Crocked after
bravely going in for a 50/50 ball early on.
Young (7/10) – A good match
for Young in the position he favours most. Was very positive and
managed to set up the third goal when put in by Rebrov.
Rebrov (6/10) – Did n’t
have a memorable match, but was always looking for the ball and
was involved in both our first and third goals
Ferdinand (6/10) – As
important as Freund is to Graham’s midfield, Ferdinand is to
the attack, and despite getting very tired played well up front,
setting up the second goal and always looking a threat.
Subs
Davies (8/10) – In what must
have seemed like a rerun of his Birmingham nightmare earlier this
season, where he came on as sub after about 10 minutes against a
Division 1 side playing in yellow and was made a scapegoat for
the abysmal team performance by being subbed at half time, Davies
could not have had a more different outcome, with a fine display
and a couple of classy goals to open his Tottenham account. He
will only improve by being in the first team and hopefully will
have made it impossible for Graham to drop him for next week’s
game against Leeds.
Thelwell (6/10) – Fitted in
well when replacing Doherty at the back.
Korsten (-) – Had a chance to
score near the end but put his shot tamely wide. Etherington
would have been a more positive substitution.