By Statto_The_yid
August 10 2006

Last Night the stiffs plus a few first teamers came back into action, to play Dover at Cabble the most wonky pitch in the entire country, ther must of been a 4% slope in some parts, but the pitch was very very good and its a credit to Dover Athletic. A very amusing hut to drink beer in and a small burger and chip bar called 'Wingers' was pitch side which must of been great to smell if you were playing. Martin Jol was not on the bus but Clive Allen and the other coaching staff were to see this clash.


Almost 1,200 turned up with fans from all sorts of teams such as Charlton and even some goons turned up. I'm guessing these are the fans who have never left Dover since they were born into the town of immagrants, anyway . . I predicted a white wash for this one and I was sure I wasnt going to be let down, my sidekick for the evening was looking forward to a 3-0 win for the Spurs XI.

This has to be the shortest side I have ever seen, with only Gardner and Huddlestone being the tall boys.

The team didn't seam to gel very quickly and as you might expect as some of these guys haven't played in the same unit before so I was waiting for them to start finding each other.

Sad to say I didn't see any of Dixon apart from the youngster heading for the dug out, and for 10 mins after that we tried to probe down the left. Some scampering runs by Reto and late passes to feet made a frustrating 15 min period as all of the action was down the flank. Jamie O'Hara played well getting into some interesting positions but it was the midfield that was desperately disappointing. Gaping holes started to appear as Huddlestone moved out of position and at periods Dover played the numbers game to good effect.

Huddlestone lost out to a few headers and backed out of a couple of challenges, something I hope is limited to this friendly. Tom did have some tidy footwork at the edge of the box before trying to lob the keeper which was palmed wide by the rather tubby keeper. Routledge started to get into the game before the break, but did make a meal of a free kick which went into the Caravan Crowd. Spurs XI huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the Dover players down, the Dover right back was kept busy but he showed good control and made Ziegler work hard.

Dover now started to play some good football and their number 9 looked fresh and lively as he tested Cerny with a fantastic strike which was goal bound. Spurs XI fought back and twice hit the woodwork in a good spell of pressure, however this was to be the last bit of good play until well after the break.

Half Time changes were made but the selfish PA didn't bother announce it, so we noted Routledge had come off for Riley who did very well and created some good industry late into the second half, Maghoma was a player I was looking forward to seeing and showed good ability and technique on the ball, with some good crosses.

All 'first teamers were replaced on the hour with Mills, Lewis and Defendi, but we looked a better unit for the following 20 mins or so, as the lads seamed to work better this allowed Barcham to start showing his class, and pace as for most of the first half he was a yard or two behind the ball when it was delivered. Barcham did have one almighty strike on goal which was turned round the left post by sub Knight, which was a great move involving 4 or 5 players at the right side of the box at the 'Port of Dover' end.

We Didn't get to see the two goals that Dover scored, as we left just before we conceded, but if we see Zeigler play again it will be later rather than sooner.

Dover 2-0 Spurs XI

Dover Athletic: Smith (Knight, 46), Browne, Rogers, Bourne, Cloke, Humphrey, Chapman (Tyne, 57), Spiller (Hogg, 73), Chase (Pame, 66), Spice (Dryden, 58), Walker (Hamshare, 75). Subs: Vallence.

Spurs XI: Cerny, Stalteri (Mills, 57), Ifil, Huddlestone (Lewis, 57), Lee, Gardner (Defendi, 57), Routledge (Riley, 46), O'Hara, Barcham, Dixon (Maghoma, 6), Ziegler (Daniels, 57). Subs: Stroud.