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

Wayne Burnett’s development side took on Everton under 23’s on Sunday afternoon at Goodison park, just a day after our seniors beat the toffees at the same ground. However, our PL2 encounter with the blues was a much different affair to the one that occurred on Saturday, with Burnett’s side losing 4-1 to the current holders of the competition. David Unsworth’s Everton side, which included two overage players were quite unremarkable for significant parts of the game, but it was their strength both on and off the ball that saw off our battling side, despite all their best efforts. The much rotated Spurs side fell behind early on when Unsworth’s men took an early lead after a quiet opening 15 minutes. Welshman Gethin Jones found Kenny down the right flank, as the England under 21 international sent a fine cross into the box. Which was met by Everton’s tall 27 year old striker Baye Oumar Niasse who powered home at the far post, with a bullet header. Whilst the possession was fairly even, the game didn’t really open up following Everton’s opener. Spurs’ 16 year old right back Brooklyn Lyons-Foster made a vital block in the Spurs box to deny the blues, whilst Everton began to try and extend their lead. The pace of Lookman down the right flank was putting Spurs under pressure, as the home side kept hold of possession, the more physical side (Everton) were stopping Burnett’s team from creating meaningful chances, their defence being rock solid.

There were virtually no chances for Spurs up until Bennetts whipped a dangerous free kick into the Spurs box, which Tanganga headed over. Everton had successfully contained us, their intensity was greater than ours as they stifled any creativity we tried to produce. Unsworth’s side went into the interval the better side, in what had been quite a dull and uninspiring half of football. Newly introduced David Henen had the first effort at goal for the blues in the second half, the Belgians low drive into the penalty area, being cleared away by Amos. Then, there was a chance for Burnett’s side to show their attacking quality, our first real effort at goal coming after a well worked move. Which saw Pritchard cross to Georgiou down the right, the latter then teed the ball off to George Marsh on the edge of the penalty area, the midfielders effort curling just wide of Robles post. Soon afterwards, Luke Amos decided to have a pop at goal from 20 odd yards out, his shot flying inches wide of the goal. However, things all changed when Spurs’ skipper Joe Pritchard got a goal on his birthday to level for the lilywhites. After showing good composure in the penalty area, his goal bound effort beat Robles courtesy of a deflection, his third of the campaign. Spurs had barely finished celebrating, when Everton went for us at the other end. Niasse testing Whiteman with a thumping effort, the game was now anybody’s to win.

The lilywhites confidence from their leveller was shattered moments later, when the home side regained their lead in stunning style. It was a brilliant solo effort from Lookman, who cut inside from the right before powering an effort into the inside corner of Whiteman’s net. Leaving the 18 year old scrambling to get to it. Spurs tried to respond when substitute Shilow Tracey headed the ball down to Pritchard on the edge of the box, though his volleyed effort went astray. Tottenham were then dealt a further blow on 65 minutes when Senegal international Niasse made it 3-1 to the toffees. The prominent Jonjoe Kenny’s low cross was picked up by Niasse inside the box as he held the ball up for a second before holding off Maghoma, and slotting the ball home. Then, all in the space of just nine minutes the toffees put the game to bed, striker Niasse went on a powerful surging run from the centre of the park. Before playing through Henen down the right side of the penalty area, his low drive beating Whiteman to effectively end the game. We never really recovered our composure after conceding that fourth goal, the ball was sparsely down the Everton end barring a long range effort from Roles, which went high over the bar. Whilst another Spurs substitute in Jaden Brown saw the left back do well since coming on, as he tried to create a chance down the left flank. However, Unsworth’s side counter attacked us, their potent centre forward Niasse beating Maghoma for strength as he sprinted through on goal, with the goal at his mercy, he took too long. And Whiteman produced a fine stop to keep the score at 4-1.

Then, towards the dying stages of the game substitute Josh Bowler embarked on a brilliant jinking run down the right, as he cut inside before curling a fine effort onto the inside of Whiteman’s post, only to see it bounce clear. The final score Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Everton, a disappointing result for Burnett’s side but there can be no complaints who the better side were on the day, this is another good learning curve for the youngsters, who are at home to Swansea next Monday. COYS

My man of the match: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Impressed again on only his second under 23 match, he was calm and composed at right back. The 16 year old also made some great blocks. This is a massive step up for him.

 

Player reviews:
– Alfie Whiteman: Made a couple of good saves on his second under 23 appearance of the season.
– Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Impressed again on only his second under 23 match, he was calm and composed at right back. The 16 year old also made some great blocks.
– Keanan Bennetts: Decent performance from Bennetts, was good going forward and delivering dangerous balls in, whilst he was also solid defensively.
– Luke Amos: As consistent and reliable as always in the centre of the park.
– Christian Maghoma: Him and Tanganga had a tough job dealing with the aerial threat of Niasse, but I felt he done a good job. Something I noticed that wouldn’t otherwise be picked up, was his noticeable encouragement to Lyons-Foster before and during the game, I’m sure that impacted on his fine display. Great leadership from the 19 year old.
– Japhet Tanganga: One of our best performers, very solid at the back, and good in the air.
– Samuel Shashoua: Nice and creative on the ball and hard working off it, though Shashoua was up against a top right back in Kenny down the left flank. And I felt that, that made it harder for him to do his usual skilful runs, such was the flawlessness of Kenny.
– George Marsh: Only his second start since injury, but Marsh impressed me in the midfield. Tidy and alert, made some good challenges.
– Ryan Loft: Didn’t get the service up front.
– Joe Pritchard: Another good display from the skipper going forward, grabbing his third goal of the campaign.
– Anthony Georgiou: Adapted well to playing on the right wing, worked hard and was always looking to create.
– Jaden Brown: Had a really positive impact on the game since coming on, very good going forward.
– Shilow Tracey: Brought a different dimension to the game at centre forward, pressed relentlessly.
– Jack Roles: Looked sharp, and made some incisive passes, I also noticed his awareness for getting into good goalscoring positions.

Everton: Robles, Kenny, Foulds (Henen 46), Baningime, Feeney (c), Gibson, Jones, Charsley (Bowler 85), Niasse, Adeniran (Evans 46), Lookman. Substitutes (not used): Hilton (GK), Sambou.

Spurs: Whiteman, Lyons-Foster, Bennetts, Amos, C Maghoma, Tanganga, S Shashoua (Brown 66), Marsh (Roles 66), Loft (Tracey 56), Pritchard (c), Georgiou. Substitute (not used): De Bie (GK).

Goals: Everton – Niasse 6, 66, Lookman 60, Henen 69; Spurs – Pritchard 58.

Yellow cards: Everton – Baningime 41; Spurs – Bennetts 34, Marsh 52, Georgiou 70.

Spurs under 18’s 2-1 Southampton: (match report)

“As much as we’re developing players here, of course we are, I wanted to give them some understanding that in first team football, after two back-to-back defeats there’s pressure on you to go and win the game. As much as we want to do the right things, develop and play the right way, I said that we needed to win the game and first and foremost, we did that.“(Scott Parker)

Southampton’s state of the art training facility (Staplewood) was the stage for our under 18’s match against the saints earlier today, as Scott Parker’s lads fought out a narrow 2-1 victory over the Saints, to get some vital points on the board. It was really a game of two halves, Spurs’ attacking intensity and non stop pressure ensured a deserved two goal lead at the interval, whilst the second half saw an attacking onslaught from the home side, as the saints pushed us to the wire, and in all honestly the game probably deserved to be a draw. Such was their dominance in the second half. It was a quick start as Spurs got the action going (in their navy blue away kit). Spurs striker Reo Griffiths got Spurs off to a promising start, when he tested the saints keeper Alex Cull from close range, Cull parried his effort away. The saints then tested our resolve at the other end, when their striker Michael Obafemi caught Spurs kipping at the back, through on goal his effort was shot straight at Austin who thwarted clear. After a close knit opening ten minutes, Parker’s lads got off to a great start when they took an early lead. A Southampton defender gave away possession to Griffiths, who darted forward to the edge of the penalty area, before hitting a low effort into the far bottom corner of Cull’s net, 1-0. It was an entertaining start to the game, which saw chances at either end, both sides were really up for it!

Spurs started to cement some authority on the game following their opener, Markanday went on a great jinking run as he cut in from the right, before angling an effort inches wide of Cull’s post. Southampton almost caught Spurs out at the other end, when left back Jake Vokins’s deceptive cross went just wide of Austin’s far post, much to the 18 year olds relief. However, Parker’s side went on to extend their lead on 26 minutes after right back Matt Lock embarked on a fruitful run. Before slipping in Patterson down the right side, his powerful low drive squirmed inside Cull’s near post to send Spurs into a perfect two goal lead. It was a highly energetic, high tempo performance from our lads as they looked to maintain their lead. Prominent Irish youth international Jonathan Afolabi powered wide from 25 yards out, as a frustrated saints side looked to get back into the game. Soon after Afolabi’s effort, front man Obafemi got the wrong side of Statham before testing Austin from close range, the Spurs man comfortably gathered. Southampton’s resurgent performance towards the end of the first half continued, when Afolabi teed the ball off to Will Smallbone on the edge of Spurs box, the 17 year old forcing a fine finger tip save from Austin, as his well curled effort was tipped onto the post. Phoenix Patterson created something out of nothing for Spurs near the end of the half, when he swivelled round onto his left foot on the edge of the box, only to see his curling effort land right in the hands of Cull.

Spurs could count themselves a tad lucky to have their two goal cushion when the saints threatened again in the dying minutes of the half, Obafemi robbing Lock of possession. Before sprinting forward down the left side, and slicing an effort fortunately wide of Austin’s goal, a fine start to the first 45 from Parker’s lads. The second half started off with a chance down the Spurs end, Paris Maghoma hitting a dangerous cross from the left side of the penalty area to cap off a fine piece of play, but his cross was blocked by a Southampton defender. A dangerous attack from the home side followed, as the pacy Afolabi ran at the Spurs defence before clipping a cross into Obafemi, who fortunately for Austin, sliced wide of the Spurs goal. The saints were looking by far the better side as the half continued, Afolabi again creating Spurs problems down the left with his searing pace, the Irishman whipping a ball across the face of the Spurs goal. The resulting corner for Craig Flemings side was headed on to the cross bar by a Spurs player, Griffiths. It was all Southampton as Spurs’ concentration seemed to dip, a finger tip save from Austin denying Flemings side a route back into the game. Following an attack from the lilywhites at the other end, Southampton counter attacked us, Obafmei finding Afolabi down the left flank as he powered forward before unleashing a stunning long range strike, which cannoned off of Austin’s crossbar, Spurs were lucky to still have their clean sheet.

A rare Spurs attack saw Spurs fight back at the other end, Patterson cut inside down the left, as he advanced down the byline, some great work from the Spurs man who layed the ball off to Griffiths. But disappointingly for him he’s close range effort went over the crossbar. To the home sides credit it was a miracle that they hadn’t got a goal back on us during the second half, they were running rampant and were playing some great football. Another fantastic effort from Afolabi (who was by far the saints best player) saw him cut in from his left before having a pop at goal from 20 odd yards out, his excellently struck effort again crashing off the crossbar! Spurs tried to put the game to bed at the other end, the impressive Markanday testing Cull with a low drive. However, our resistance was broken on 80 minutes when Southampton’s attacking might was rewarded with a goal, Kornelius Hansen received the ball in the box, the youngster firing home his effort into the far corner of Austin’s net, 2-1. Despite a shaky last few minutes, Spurs held on to record an important three points against a talented and more physical Southampton side. It was certainly a game of two halves. COYS

My man of the match: Spurs striker Reo Griffiths has started the season on fire and today was no exception, he lead the line extremely well. He was strong powerful and clinical, it wasn’t just his goal that impressed me. It was his all round attacking play, his hold up play and positioning. Griffiths now has four goals from four games.

Player reviews:
– Brandon Austin: A little surprised to see the under 23 mainstay, step down for the under 18’s for today’s game. But Austin (who was the skipper) continued his great start to the season with a top performance in between the sticks. Made some fine saves, was dominant in the air and lead the lads out well form the back, (good leadership).
– Matt Lock: Fine performance at right back from the 17 year old, defensively sound and potent going forward, assisted Patterson’s goal.
– Jamie Reynolds: The central midfielder slotted in well at the unfamiliar left back role, solid and composed.
– Jamie Bowden: Yet another impressive performance from the Carrickesque Bowden, very tidy throughout and made some good challenges. He filled in at centre half later on in the game, and done a fine job.
– Max Statham: The first time I’ve seen him play since that Ipswich under 15 game a few seasons back, and he was just as solid and composed today as he was then. For a youngster of only 16, he demonstrated a great understanding of the game, he was one of our best players on the day.
– Tariq Hinds: The versatile left back who today filled in at centre half before later reverting to his favoured position. Hinds defended well and formed a good centre half partnership with Statham in the first half.
– Dilan Markanday: Really impressive showing from the skilful winger, was a real threat down the right.
– Paris Maghoma: A strong part of the team, he was influential from the midfield with his forward runs, and strong defending, a very skilful player.
– Reo Griffiths: My man of the match (see above).
– Armando Shashoua: A really influential player in the team, he was so versatile in his play. Composed and showed good passing, but it was his ability to fill in for other players which impressed me yet again, whilst operating as a 10, I saw him fill in down the flank and in the centre of midfield, tireless performer.
– Phoenix Patterson: Another fine display on the left flank, good going forward and getting into good positions, took his goal well.

Spurs U18s: Austin (c), Lock (Mukendi 68), Reynolds, Bowden, Statham, Hinds, Markanday (Pochettino 89), P Maghoma, Griffiths, A Shashoua, Patterson (Richards 81).

Substitutes (not used): Thorpe, Oluwayemi (GK).

Goals: 1st half: Griffiths, Patterson. 2nd half: Hansen.

Referee: J.Pike

Spurs under 23’s 7-2 West Ham United: (match report)

It’s fair to say that our under 23’s will be pleased at the way they started off their Premier league international cup campaign last night, as a rampant Spurs side thrashed London rivals West Ham 7-2, at the Lamex stadium in what was a fairly unique game of football. Which saw nine goals scored, four penalties given and a spectacular team performance from Burnett’s side to carry on the momentum of last Fridays 3-0 victory over Man United at the same stadium. It was a much changed starting 11 for both sides since our recent meeting, with both teams having a whole group of players away on international duty, there was a first under 23 appearance for 16 year old Spurs defender Brooklyn Lyons-Foster at the back. There was a bit of a slow start to the game, but that all changed on 11 minutes. When our captain Joe Pritchard whipped a fine ball into the box from the resulting corner kick, his cross was met by the rising Maghoma whose bullet header darted into the top corner of Bishop’s net, an excellent header. And Burnett’s side weren’t stopping there, a mere two minutes later they doubled their advantage courtesy of an incisive attacking move which was finished off by Sterling. Winger Shilow Tracey powered down the right flank before slipping the ball through to the advancing Sterling, who calmly slotted the ball past Bishop to make it 2-0, a well measured finish.

The frantic start to game continued just minutes later when the hammers went on an attacking run of their own at the other end. Hector-Ingram had wrong footed Maghoma on the turn inside the penalty area, and the referee had no problem pointing to the spot. However, Whiteman produced a fantastic diving save to keep out Joe Powell’s fiercely struck effort. Our attacking onslaught continued down the other end as Spurs pushed for more, Pritchard’s slightly over hit through ball was chased down by Sterling, but Bishop smothered the ball low down which then rolled out for a corner kick. The visitors were rarely threatening down our end, with the exception of a powerful strike from a West Ham forward which was easily gathered by Whiteman. Just when it seemed like the game was in our hands, Spurs conceded another penalty. After Whiteman tripped Hector-Ingram after a sloppy touch. Anthony Scully fired the ball in to the bottom corner of the net, to give a route back into the game for Terry Westley’s side. It was a more even game since their goal, Pritchard who was the main source of Spurs’ creativity, picked out Georgiou down the left side of the penalty area, the pacy winger powered a low effort inches wide of Bishops left hand post.

The hammers then threatened at the other end when Alex Pike sent a dangerous cross into the Spurs box, which one of the West Ham players blasted over the bar, from close range. The skipper (Joe Pritchard) was again the creator moments later when Spurs broke away at the other end, he threaded a perfectly measured through ball on to Sterling who was one on one with Bishop, but the Spurs striker hit a wayward effort narrowly wide of the post. Spurs deservedly led at the break in what was still a fairly open and highly competitive game. The second period started well for Spurs whose attacking intensity showed no signs of slowing down, Georgiou went on a surging run down the left flank but his following effort was deflected wide by a hammers defender. But it didn’t take long for Spurs to find their third, Sterling done well to back heel a pass to Pritchard who was rushing forward inside the box, he rifled an effort underneath the body of Bishop to regain our two goal cushion. Spurs were taking control of the game, the action was all inside the West Ham half. A seemingly disjointed West Ham side were dealt a further blow seven minutes later, when our lads made it 4-1! Tracey burst down the right wing before cutting the ball back to Shashoua inside the box, the forward calmly despatched his chance with a curling effort that nestled inside the top corner, 4-1.

The hammers then saw their first chance of the half when right back Alex Pike lashed an effort over the crossbar, at Whiteman’s near post. However, it was all too easy for Burnett’s side who further cemented their lead just after the hour mark. Shashoua turned creator when he picked out Sterling with an incisive through ball down the left side, Sterling clinically drove the ball home to get his second of the game and third of the season. It was all Spurs, as the young lilywhites totally dominated precedings, and our sixth of the game soon followed when a player who had been outstanding all game in the centre of the park got on the scoresheet. Pritchard got his second assist of the game as he passed to Duncan who darted down the right before powerfully slotting the ball across into the inside of Bishop’s net, a really well taken goal. Our goalscoring rout continued three minutes later when Samuel Shashoua scored a wonderful solo goal. Shashoua embarked on a mazy forward run as he ran across the West Ham area before curling a sublime effort into the bottom corner of Bishop’s goal, 7-1! Shashoua then hit a dangerous cross across the face of the goal minutes later as we went in search of goal number eight. Ten minutes from time substitute Matt Lock fouled Nathan Holland in the area, resulting in penalty number three of the game. Substitute Antonio Martinez stood up to take it but yet again Whiteman produced a great save to thwart the Spaniards powerful effort. Then in a most surreal chain of events, West Ham were awarded penalty number four of the game 30 seconds later.

Young Spurs defender Lyons-Foster was harshly adjudged to have fouled a hammers player inside the penalty area. This time Martinez stepped up to power his effort home despite the best efforts of Whiteman who got a touch of the ball. The superb Kazaiah Sterling had a late goal ruled out for offside, as Spurs went on to record a magnificent 7-2 victory over the visitors. Burnett’s side are in action again next Sunday when they face Everton in the PL2. COYS

Player reviews: – Alfie Whiteman: Brilliant performance from Whiteman who made a string of fine saves, he saved the two penalties with two outstanding saves!
– George Marsh: Done well in his first start since injury, a solid and prominent part of our back three.
– Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Superb debut for the 16 year old who was equally as impressive for our under 18’s last weekend. The full back slotted in perfectly to the back three, Lyons-Foster was composed and precise in his defending. He made some really important blocks/challenges, very impressive debut.
– Luke Amos: Industrious display, had a really good defensive impact on the game with his constant pressing.
– Christian Maghoma: Another impressive performance from the 19 year old centre half who got his first goal of the season last night. Maghoma was solid at the back, dominant in the air and played the ball out well from the back.
– Dylan Duncan: Dylan Duncan was the anchor man with in the midfield, the versatile midfielder was everywhere. He covered so much ground, making some really important interceptions. Duncan also made a real impact going forward and was deserving of his fine goal. Altogether, an excellent all round performance from the talented 18 year old.
– Samuel Shashoua: First start of the season and he certainly seized his opportunity, he flourished going forward, changed the game in the second half with his superb display.
– Shilow Tracey: Influential down the right flank, created two goals.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Outstanding up front, decisive in front of goal, and made some brilliant forward runs.
– Anthony Georgiou: Sharp down the left flank, Georgiou had a really good game. He was confident and influential through the many searing runs he made down the left wing.
– Joe Pritchard: One of the star performers, Pritchard continued his excellent start to the season last night with a goal and two assists.

My man of the match: This was an incredibly hard one to call as there were so many outstanding performances on the night. But I’m going to give it to a player who contributed to the more under appreciated aspects of the game. Dylan Duncan was the anchor man with in the midfield, the versatile midfielder was everywhere. He covered so much ground, making some really important interceptions. Duncan also made a real impact going forward and was deserving of his fine goal. Altogether, an excellent all round performance from the talented 18 year old.

 

Spurs: Whiteman, Marsh (Lock 69), Lyons-Foster, Amos, C Maghoma, Duncan, S Shashoua (Tsaroulla 83), Tracey (Loft 69), Sterling, Georgiou, Pritchard (c). Substitute (not used): Austin (GK).

West Ham: Bishop, Pike, Neufville, Makasi (c), Akinola, Wells, Powell (Holland 65), Sylvestre (Henry 74), Hector-Ingram, Scully (Martinez 65), Diangana. Substitute (not used): Forde (GK), De Rosa, Hannam Belic.

Goals: Spurs – C Maghoma 11, Sterling 13, 63, Pritchard 52, S Shashoua 59, 68,

Duncan 65; West Ham – Scully 28 (pen), Martinez (pen) 81.

Referee: Alan Young.

Attendance: 630.