Spurs under 18’s 3-0 AFC Bournemouth:(match report)

A dominant and assured display from Scott Parker’s under 18 side ensured Spurs’ place in the fifth round of the FA youth cup, with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bournemouth last night. It was an enjoyable game to report on in front of a big and enthusiastic crowd at the cherries Vitality stadium. Parker’s side who dominated possession throughout, had a tough time breaking down a very strong and aggressive Bournemouth defence in the first half, they suffocated our attackers with their pressing and tenacity at the back (notably through former Spur Nnamdi Ofoborh). But after a half of little creativity from Spurs, the inform Reo Griffiths gave them the lead on the stroke of half time after an incisive move. The second half was the half in which the fitter and more talented side took control and we put the game to bed with another from Griffiths shortly after the restart, before a late goal from substitute Rayan Clarke in stoppage time rounded off an impressive 3-0 victory. It was the cherries who got the game underway, Parker’s side soon dominating possession. Some nice early passing from Spurs on the slick surface caused some anxiety amongst the Bournemouth players. A good early chance came to Spurs front man Reo Griffiths after he was picked out in the box by a good cross from Bennett on the left, but his header landed straight in the arms of the cherries keeper Dennis. Spurs were looking very comfortable on the ball, Patterson who was playing as a 10 tried to initiate some good chances with his sharp movement.

The dominant Oliver Skipp got back to snuff out a dangerous cross from the cherries at the opposite end, whilst Griffiths tested Dennis again moments later. After Maghoma slipped in Griffiths inside the box, he turned his man before running to the byline and forcing a corner out of Dennis who saved his shot at the near post. I spotted a slightly amusing event shortly afterwards, when a photographer told Bowden and Clarke (who were warming up on the sidelines) to move to one side of his camera. Meanwhile, another good cross from Bennett evaded any white shirts in the box, before Patterson’s deep cross was volleyed into the hands of Dennis from Hinds at the far post. Bournemouth were defending resiliently and were keeping out the Spurs forwards from the danger area. Paris Maghoma fired an effort over from range, whilst Ryan Glover tested De Bie with a low effort at the other end. Bournemouth’s Charlie Seaman got in front of the potent Phoenix Patterson at the crucial time to thwart a good Spurs move as Spurs continued to be frustrated by an energetic and defensive Bournemouth team. A good move from a Bournemouth free kick almost caught us out after a deflected drive fell in to the path of a cherries player in the area, De Bie doing well to close him down and to make the save (even though the linesman had already flagged for offside). Jamie Reynolds sweetly struck effort on the half volley forced a good low save out of Dennis, before Maghoma saw his deflected effort go over from the resulting corner kick. And it was from this corner kick that Spurs took the lead on the stroke of halftime! The corner was played short to Patterson who all too easily surged into the box before clipping in a low cross which was met quickest by Griffiths, who got in between the Bournemouth defenders, to prod the ball home.

The strikers celebration was almost as good as his goal, Griffiths ran to different sections of the crowd to express his delight at scoring the opener. I sensed that the second half would be a much different affair, and I was right. Soon after the restart Paris Maghoma had Dennis flapping frantically in the Bournemouth goal, as he parried away the Spurs man’s dipping free kick. Whilst a dangerous counter attack was stopped at the last moments when Skipp got crowded out in the box. Spurs were now really taking the game to the home side, who had no choice but to come out and attack, playing straight into the hands of Parker’s team. The so far quiet Rodel Richards saw his effort sail over from range shortly afterwards, before we netted that crucial second goal. It came just nine minutes after the restart when Griffiths took advantage of some lacklustre defending as he raced through on goal. After picking up Lyons-Foster’s unintended clearance, Griffiths burst forward towards the penalty area before cooly slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 2-0. Bournemouth had become tired and Spurs had capitalised on this, upping their tempo as they played their fast attacking game. Tashan Oakley-Boothe came on to make his first appearance in a Spurs shirt for some time, as Parker looked to bolster his midfield. Oakley-Boothe was to later to become the victim of two very strong challenges. The cherries looked to respond through Seaman’s free kick soon afterwards. However it wasn’t to trouble De Bie who saved comfortably.

Spurs then came desperately close to netting a third through another brilliant Maghoma free kick. He was gifted the opportunity to test Dennis from just out side the box, after the skilful Patterson was brought down. And my word what an effort it was, Maghoma’s perfectly executed free kick dipped over the wall and seemed to be heading into the top corner. But somehow Dennis managed to make a finger tip save to tip the ball onto the inside of the post before clearing the loose ball. This had now become a really exciting game, and the chances kept on coming Spurs’ way as the cherries began to crumble. Oakley-Boothe’s long pass managed to pick out Griffiths who managed to lob the ball over the out rushing Dennis, only to see his effort cleared by a defender. Bournemouth were restricted to ambitious long range efforts, one of which came to Seaman who failed to test De Bie on the volley. Some lovely skill from the influential Patterson resulted in him curling an effort inches wide of goal. This was pure dominance from a highly talented Spurs attack, Paris Maghoma fired just over after a good surging run. Spurs were hungry for more goals but were also satisfied at just passing the ball around. Another brilliant move from Spurs saw Griffiths embark on a brilliant searing run down the right, he breezed past Ofoborh and continued on to the byline where clipped in a lovely ball to the far post. Which was met by Oakley-Boothe whose effort was cleared brilliantly off the line by Camp.

Kilkenny blazed an effort over the Spurs goal in the final stages of the game, before a sublime piece of skill from Patterson at the other end resulted in the Spurs forward flashing an effort across the face of the goal. Patterson forced a good save out of Dennis moments later with a thumping effort, before Spurs managed to wrap the game up in style deep in stoppage time. It was yet another well worked move from the young lilywhites who once again caught the cherries on the break. Oakley-Boothe brought the ball forwards past the halfway line before threading a nice pass through to Paris Maghoma who travelled towards the box before powering an effort at goal. Maghoma’s effort was parried by Dennis, but only into the path of the alert Rayan Clarke as the substitute tapped home to make it 3-0. After Clarke’s goal the whole of the Spurs team including De Bie went towards the corner flag to celebrate the goal. As the referee blew the final whistle I could clearly hear the substitute Clarke roar ‘yesss’ as the delighted Spurs players began to embrace one another. Another brilliant performance from Parker’s side in a testing and new experience for them, the sad part is that we’ll face Chelsea at home in the fifth round. I went to see their game against West Brom in Aldershot this evening a game in which they won 7-0! It was quiet frightening watching Jody Morris’ blues side and the depth that they have, there a different class. The way that they attacked the baggies and the pace in which they done so was quite breathtaking. They played like a team of 25 year olds, they have such an array of talent. And the pace and sheer power that they have in their squad could embarrass any youth team. However, I still firmly believe that we could do them in the next round if the team shows the passion and togetherness that they have already shown this season! COYS

Player reviews: – Jonathan De Bie: Was largely a spectator but the captain didn’t disappoint when called upon.
– Tariq Hinds: Another very strong performance from Hinds at right back kept the Bournemouth wingers out of the game with his tight and intelligent defending.
– Jamie Reynolds: Good performance from the left back, was assured and particularly impressive going forward.
– Oliver Skipp: The Spurs anchorman was like a brick wall in the centre of the park, he dictated the tempo of the game. Went deep to make important blocks/interceptions as well as driving forward.
– Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Exceptional once again, Lyons-Foster formed a superb centre back pairing with TJ Eyoma. Didn’t make a single mistake in the whole game. His timing, positioning and decisiveness at the back ensured that life was made very tricky for the Bournemouth forwards.
– TJ Eyoma: Defended impeccably, cool, composed and confident in his play. Too good for this level, which is why he is so central to us progressing further in the competition.
– Rodel Richards: Not as involved as he has been in recent games. After a quiet first half Richards became more involved as the game went on, and went on some nice runs down the left.
– Paris Maghoma: Excellent. Powerful going forward from the centre of the park, Maghoma made things happen throughout the entirety of the game with his clever little through balls and skilful runs. He was also desperately unlucky not to score with his free kick.
– Reo Griffiths: My motm, see below.
– Phoenix Patterson: By far the most creative player on the pitch, Patterson excelled throughout. He created some nice passages of play both as a cam and as left winger in the second half. It was a Lamelaesque performance, he was all over the pitch tracking back and getting stuck in. But it was his attacking qualities which once again stood out. His turn of pace, intricate passing and balls into the area. I haven’t seen him waltz past players like he did the other night for a good while he was superb, grabbing one assist in the process.
– J’neil Bennett: Put some nice deliveries into the box however, I felt that the schoolboy struggled a bit against a more physical opposition. His searing pace alone wasn’t enough to beat fullback Charlie Seaman down the right, the Bournemouth player shrugging him off the ball on numerous occasions. Still a bright performance nonetheless.
– Tashan Oakley-Boothe: Great to see him back in action after a lengthy lay off with injury. Promising cameo, was good on the ball and showed a good range of passing.
– Rayan Clarke: Was only on the pitch for a couple of minutes, but he still managed to score. That’s his second of the season.
– Jamie Bowden: N/A

My man of the match: Reo Griffiths. Pacy, powerful and influential both on and off the ball. Spurs striker Reo Griffiths was unstoppable against the cherries scoring two really well taken goals. Griffiths lead the line brilliantly and effectively, he constantly found pockets of space and pressed the Bournemouth players throughout. There was a particular moment in the game where he ran half the pitch, leaving a couple of Bournemouth players in his wake before putting in a lovely delivery to the box. He has been superb and clinical in front of goal this season, finding the net on 14 occasions as well as laying on 5 assists. I will be writing a piece on him later on in the week.

Interesting stat: After setting up Reo Griffiths’ opener against the cherries, Phoenix Patterson has more assists than any other Spurs player at this level (7).

AFC Bournemouth: Dennis, Seaman, Morrison (Hanfrey 77), Ofoborh (c), Camp, Nippard, Glover (Diaz 73), Boote, Pope (Scrimshaw 73), Kilkenny, Anthony. Substitutes (not used): Ward, Dinsmore.

Spurs: De Bie (c), Hinds, Reynolds, Skipp, Lyons-Foster, Eyoma, Richards (Clarke 84), P Maghoma, Griffiths, Patterson (Bowden 90+1), Bennett (Oakley-Boothe 64). Substitutes (not used): Oluwayemi, Markanday.

Goals: Spurs – Griffiths 44, 56, Clarke 90+3.

Yellow cards: AFC Bournemouth – Seaman 68, Morrison 76

Referee: Marc Whaley.

Under 18 Goals scored this season: Reo Griffiths-14
Phoenix Patterson -5
Dilan Markanday- 5
Jamie Bowden- 1
Moroyin Omolabi-1
Rayan Clarke-2
Maurizio Pochettino-1
Paris Maghoma-2
Rodel Richards-9
J’neill Lloyd-Bennett-1
TJ Eyoma-1

Assists: Phoenix Patterson-7
Jamie Bowden-1
Matt Lock- 2
Jeremie Mukendi-2
Jamie Reynolds-3
Reo Griffiths-5
J’neill Lloyd-Bennett-4
Rayan Clarke-2
Rodel Richards-1
Dilan Markanday-1
Oliver Skipp- 1
Tariq Hinds- 1
Paris Maghoma-2