Spurs under 18’s 5-2 Fulham: (match report)

“We played some really good football, we were high-energy and I thought we looked like we had some really good players.” (John McDermott)

Our under 18’s were in fine form this morning, as they thrashed fellow London club Fulham 5-2 in a thrilling game at Hotspur way. There was an emotional and respectful minutes silence before today’s game in tribute to Ugo Ehiogu who tragically passed away last week. I was treated to some breathtaking football this morning, McDermott’s highly attacking side brutally exposing Fulham’s defensive vulnerabilities putting in an exceptional offensive display. It was a game in which the Lillywhites produced chance after chance, McDermott’s side were so creative and sharp, on another day they could have ran out 7-0 winners! McDermott’s side were astute, playing down the wings through the highly effective duo of Keanan Bennetts and Samuel Shashoua. Spurs started the game well and it didn’t take them long to find their usual attacking rhythm, on 13 minutes Kazaiah Sterling forced a fine save out of Fulham goalkeeper Ashby-Hammond, with the rebound falling for Jack Roles who drilled an effort against the post. We came close again moments later, when Jaden Brown’s clever cross came to Sterling inside the box, his first time effort producing another fine save from the Fulham goalkeeper, before the ball was thwarted into the path of Bennetts, the goal was gaping at his mercy but he blasted over from just a couple of yards out, no one including himself could quite believe it. We continued to threaten Fulham’s defence, McDermott’s team were creating numerous chances and it was only a matter of time before they eventually took the lead. Roles showed great technique to rifle an effort narrowly over the crossbar before Sterling and Skipp saw their chances go close.

Spurs’ dominance was finally rewarded on 35 minutes when Jack Roles broke the deadlock for the Lillywhites. Sterling played a big part in the goal, the forward cutting inside his man before laying the ball off to Roles who made no mistake from close range burying the ball into the back of the net, 1-0. Our attacking superiority over the cottagers was growing, and just nine minutes later the youngster doubled their advantage with a well worked goal. Winger Keanan Bennetts who had been potent throughout the game, surged forward before finding Shashoua inside the box. The nimble footed winger turning on to his left foot before slotting the ball home, 2-0 to Spurs! Shortly after the interval Spurs resumed their attacking ways, Shashoua forcing Ashby-Hammond into making a brilliant reflex save as he clawed away Shashoua’s effort with a strong hand. However, we allowed Fulham a route back into the game on 52 minutes when Skipp brought York to the floor, Nwietniewski’s resulting effort converted to make the scores 2-1. However, McDermott’s side made an instant response from the kick off, Shashoua playing a one two with Roles before sending a delightful chip into the back of the net, simply sublime stuff! The lads were playing some scintillating football and were constantly striving for that next goal. And it didn’t take long before goal number 4 came along, anchor man Oliver Skipp picking out Keanan Bennetts with a delightful lofted pass, racing through on goal the winger was clinical as he calmly slotted home, 4-1 to Spurs!

Our lead became even greater 10 minutes from time, when Kazaiah Sterling deservedly got his first goal of the game to put us 5-1 ahead. Bennetts played Sterling in with a lovely cross from the right, and Sterling made no mistake as he poached the ball home, 5-1. Our defence temporarily went to sleep late on, at which point Harris had gotten through on goal to hammer home a consolation goal for the cottagers. The final score Spurs 5-2 Fulham, McDermott’s side treated the spectators to a wonderful attacking display, they outplayed Fulham in every way, their intensity overwhelmed Steve Wrigley’s side. Our under 18’s can hold their heads high after this superb performance which comes at a very difficult time for our academy.
Player review: – Alfie Whiteman: Done well when called into action, good in the air and made some fine saves,
– Tariq Hinds: Another impressive performance from the right back, very creative going forward and solid defensively.
– Jaden Brown: Defensively solid, read the game well.
– Oliver Skipp: Anchor man in the midfield set up Bennetts goal with a lovely assist.
– George Marsh: Fine performance from the captain done well to constantly snuff out danger.
– Japhet Tanganga: Dominant game from Tanganga, the centre half won everything in the air and linked up well with Marsh at the back. Also impressed me with his passing.
– Samuel Shashoua: Another vintage performance from my man of the match, see below.
– Dylan Duncan: One of our best players, was very creative with a lovely range of passing.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Worked incredibly hard throughout and got a much deserved goal.
– Jack Roles: Constantly managed to find openings, his goal today his 18th of the domestic season.
– Keanan Bennetts: Made a significant contribution to the game with his goal and two assists, pacy and powerful Bennetts terrorised the Fulham fullbacks, a top performance from the 18 year old.
My man of the match: Not for the first time this season it goes to Samuel Shashoua, the England youth international bagged a stunning brace and proved to be the most effective player in a game where many players shone. Shashoua’s trademark flare and dizzying skills gave the Fulham defence a nightmare of a time. I can’t sing this talented players praises high enough!

Spurs U18s: Whiteman, Hinds (Lock 76), Brown, Skipp (Omolabi 70), Marsh (c), Tanganga, Shashoua, Duncan, Sterling, Roles (Patterson 58), Bennetts. Substitute (not used): Freeman (GK).

Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Everton: (match report)

“There were five shots on target and they scored four, but for 65 minutes I thought we controlled the game if I’m being honest. We lacked a killer instinct, a bit of power and directness at times, plus a bit of cuteness – they were a bit cuter than us and played with a bit more football nous and league experience than we did. We were a little bit too honest in that respect.” (Ugo Ehiogu)

Our under 23’s fell to a 4-1 defeat against Everton, at Goodison park on Monday evening in a match where the score couldn’t give justice to a battling Spurs performance. I was at a bitterly cold Goodison park reporting on Monday evenings game where Ugo Ehiogu’s side gave a good account of themselves against top of the table Everton, the blues side including a selection of first team players including Muhamed Bešić and Ademola Lookman. There was a surprise inclusion on the team sheet, trialist Ryan Johnson who plays for Stevenage started for the Lillywhites at left centre back. The 20 year old centre half who has played 12 times for Stevenage’s first team, had a trial at Man United two years ago. After a fairly uneventful opening 25 minutes where a solid and defensively structured Spurs side controlled the tempo of the game, Spurs came close to breaking the deadlock when bright spark Marcus Edwards went close on 26 minutes. Edwards’s embarked on a mazy run into the Everton box skipping past an Everton defender before unleashing a shot from close range, which was well blocked by defender Brendan Galloway. Spurs were taking control of the game, and were beginning to look the much better side. Cy Goddard set up forward Shilow Tracey, when he slipped the ball through to the striker from a free kick, Tracey’s effort from a tight angle was well saved by Hewelt.

Everton went close at the other end when Calvert-Lewin powered a header narrowly wide of Glovers right post. Spurs went into the interval the better side, structured and in control they were dealing with an experienced Everton side with relative ease. Spurs continued to impress in the opening stages of the second half, the back three of Tanganga, Maghoma and Johnson well marshalled Everton’s attacking line. However, the potent Ademola Lookman opened the scoring for the blues on 64 minutes. The former Charlton player latched onto Galloway’s deflected cross at the far post, bundling the ball past Glover and into the net. Everton were starting to stamp their authority on the game and soon added their second eight minutes
later, Miller saw his long range effort well saved at the other end, before the blues doubled their advantage through Bassala Sambou. The newly introduced striker curled the ball wonderfully into the top corner as he turned past his man, a classy goal that left Glover rooted to his spot. However, Spurs fought back three minutes later when substitute Kazaiah Sterling nodded home Marcus Edwards cross, after some really good work from Edwards he created an opening, 2-1! The drama continued at a quick pace, Everton effectively ending the game just minutes after Spurs pulled a goal back. In a goal that was similar to their second, Kieran Dowell curled a delicious effort into the top corner of the net leaving Glover with no chance, 3-1 to Everton.

Everton rounded of the game with a fourth three minutes from time when a deflected pass from the defence was played straight into the feet of Calvert-Lewin, who stroked the ball home from close range. The final score Spurs 1-4 Everton, a game where the scoreline couldn’t have been further from the truth, we were the better side for the majority of the game, Ehiogu’s young side putting in a commendable display against a much older Everton side, they deserved a draw.

Player review: – Tom Glover: Everton’s goals were of no fault of his own, wasn’t called into action for the most part of the game.
– TJ Eyoma: Decent display at wing back from the under 18, stayed deep and looked comfortable up against the talented Lookman.
– Japhet Tanganga: Played well in an impressive defensive trio, strong on the ball and good in the air.
– Filip Lesniak: Lesniak had a brilliant game in the centre of park, flawless and as efficient as ever, he covered a lot of ground and won the praises of Ehiogu.
– Christian Maghoma: My man of the match, Maghoma made some crucial interventions, was good in the air and was a commanding presence with in the side.
– Ryan Johnson: I was really impressed with the 20 year old trialist, Johnson was composed and read the game well. He also showed a great passing ability.
– Will Miller: Not his usual effective self had a quiet game out wide, failing to make much of an impact.
– Cy Goddard: On a rare start Goddard proved to be one of our best players, very creative in the centre of the park.
– Shilow Tracey: Done well up front, pressed continuously and got into some good positions. Tracey has such a high work rate.
– Marcus Edwards: The Tottenham starlet was one of Spurs’ most creative players, his skilful runs causing the blues problems throughout the game.
– Jaden Brown: Adapted well to playing higher up the pitch, looked good both defensively and offensively.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Made a real impact when coming on as he scored Spurs’ goal, seems to be adapting really well to under 23 football.

My man of the match: Christian Maghoma. Maghoma made some crucial interventions, was good in the air and was a commanding presence with in the side. Maghoma has been in great form over recent matches and is a player who I rate highly.

Everton: Hewelt, Kenny (c), Robinson, Besic (Charsley 46), Feeney, Galloway, Dowell (Henen 84), Walsh, Calvert-Lewin, Williams, Lookman (Sambou 64). Substitutes (not used): Gray (GK), Foulds.

Spurs: Glover, Eyoma, Tanganga, Lesniak (c), Maghoma, Johnson (trialist, Bennetts 77), Miller (Sterling 68), Goddard (Marsh 81), Tracey, Edwards, Brown. Substitute (not used): Whiteman (GK).

Goals: Everton – Lookman 61, Sambou 69, Dowell 75, Calvert-Lewin 87; Spurs – Sterling 72.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Johnson 76.

Attendance: 885.