Spurs XI 1-1 Dulwich Hamlet: (match report)

Our development sides second test of pre-season took them across the Thames to face National league south side Dulwich Hamlet at their Champion Hill ground. Wayne Burnett’s side were involved in a very physical battle with the ‘ Hamlet ‘ on a gloriously sunny afternoon in South London in front of almost 3,000 spectators. It was a closely fought and highly competitive game and both sides managed to create plenty of good goal scoring chances. A similar side to the one in which Burnett fielded against Ebbsfleet the previous Saturday, Spurs started the game well and they managed to create a number of good early chances which they were unable to convert. However, it was the non league side who after growing into the game, took the lead after 24 minutes through Nyren Clunis. Spurs tried to respond but they were unable to do so during the remainder of the first half. The introduction of three players at halftime namely Luis Binks who helped to sure up the Tottenham defence, helped Spurs’ game. And after starting the second half strongly Spurs managed to draw level thanks to an emphatic finish from the impressive Tashan Oakley-Boothe on 66 minutes. Both sides scrapped hard for a late winner. After substitute goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi conceded a penalty during the latter stages of the game it looked like Dulwich Hamlet were going to net the winner. However, to Oluwayemi and Spurs’ relief Christian Smith blazed his penalty kick well over Oluwayemi’s crossbar. In the end both sides had to settle for a draw as an entertaining and highly competitive pre-season friendly with plenty of bite came to an end. Wayne Burnett’s side lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation for Saturday afternoons game. Trialist Edward Smith started in goal for the ‘ Lilywhites ‘ while a back four consisting of Maxwell Statham, Jubril Okedina, Jonathan Dinzeyi and Tariq Hinds lined up in front of him. Armando Shashoua and Tashan Oakley-Boothe partnered up in central midfield, as Shilow Tracey and Rayan Clarke operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Paris Maghoma. Spurs captain Kazaiah Sterling led the line for Burnett’s side.

Spurs got the game underway at Champion Hill and Burnett’s side knocked the ball around the park well during the opening stages of the game. A good early move from Spurs saw Jonathan Dinzeyi pass the ball to Tariq Hinds who in turn gave it Rayan Clarke down the left wing. Clarke pulled the ball back across goal towards Paris Maghoma inside the Dulwich penalty area. However, Maghoma just narrowly missed making contact with the ball and hence couldn’t tap the ball past Preston Edwards in the Dulwich goal. Shortly afterwards Kieran Monlouis tried to beat Edward Smith with a speculative effort from the halfway line however, his ambitious effort went well wide of Smith’s goal. Then at the opposite end of the pitch the lively Rayan Clarke cut inside from the left flank before firing the ball well over Preston Edwards’ crossbar. High pressing Spurs were putting the ‘ Hamlet ‘ under some good early pressure as they looked to make their mark on the game. After receiving Shilow Tracey’s pass down the right hand side of the Dulwich Hamlet penalty area, Paris Maghoma crossed the ball for Rayan Clarke who made a run towards the near post however, he could only head the ball wide of Preston Edwards’ goal. Spurs found themselves in a spot of bother shortly afterwards, after Kieran Monlouis managed to dispossess Tashan Oakley-Boothe on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area. The attacking midfielder then surged forward into the Spurs box before he was heroically cut out by Jonathan Dinzeyi who made an excellent late challenge to put the ball behind for a corner kick. A couple of moments later Rayan Clarke conceded a dangerous free kick right on the edge of the Spurs box. Ben Chapman elected to take the free kick for Dulwich Hamlet and his pacy, curling effort was tipped over the bar by the alert Edward Smith. Jonathan Dinzeyi then managed to head away Ben Chapman’s resulting corner kick a couple of moments before he blocked a shot from Monlouis on the edge of the Spurs box. Spurs then came desperately close to taking the lead after a good run into the Dulwich box by Paris Maghoma was picked up by Maxwell Statham who sent in an inviting cross from the right flank to pick out Maghoma. The Spurs midfielder met Statham’s cross on the volley but his effort flew narrowly wide of Preston Edwards’ goal. 

Spurs would regret missing that chance as Dulwich Hamlet took the lead in the 24th minute of the game through Nyren Clunis. After Jeffrey Monakana whipped the ball into the Spurs box he managed to pick out striker Danny Mills who tried to just guide the ball into the goal. However, the ball came to Clunis who managed to tap the ball past Edward Smith and into the back of the net, 0-1. Spurs tried to respond, Tashan Oakley-Boothe passed the ball to Tariq Hinds on the left flank, the fullback cut inside onto his right foot before firing the ball straight at Dulwich defender Yannis Ambroisine. A couple of moments later Hinds gave the ball to Shashoua who then cut the ball back to Clarke in the Dulwich box but he fluffed the chance and couldn’t get the ball out of his feet. Spurs managed to create another good chance shortly afterwards. After Maghoma received Tracey’s pass he slipped the ball through to Kazaiah Sterling in the Dulwich box but Preston Edwards came out to close down Sterling’s angles and make a good save to prevent his low effort. Edwards then managed to gather a hopeful cross into the box from Armando Shashoua a couple of moments later. Jonathan Dinzeyi cleared a dangerous cross from Ben Chapman before Jeffrey Monakana cut inside from the left flank before curling an effort a fraction wide of Edward Smith’s goal. Dulwich continued to finish the half strongly, Danny Mills headed a cross from Jack Connors across Smith’s goal, but Okedina managed to clear the ball away from danger. The home side then hit the wood work after Nyren Clunis passed the ball to Kieran Monlouis on the edge of the Spurs box. Monlouis’ low side footed effort came off the inside of Edward Smith’s right hand post before coming back to Clunis on the right flank. Clunis attempted to chip the ball back across goal but Smith authoritatively claimed it. The final piece of action from the first half saw Jeffrey Monakana come in from the left flank before shooting an effort on goal however, he was closed down well by Maxwell Statham who managed to block his effort.

Spurs made three changes at half time as Wayne Burnett brought on Luis Binks, Dilan Markanday and Rodel Richards for Maxwell Statham, Rayan Clarke and Shilow Tracey. Dulwich Hamlet got the second half underway however, it was Spurs who managed to create the first chance of the half. A sharp and incisive passing move resulted in Hinds passing the ball to Oakley-Boothe on the left flank. He then squared the ball for the newly introduced Dilan Markanday on the edge of the Dulwich box but his low first time, side footed effort struck the base of Preston Edwards’ bottom right hand post. Rodel Richards came close to slipping Kazaiah Sterling through on goal shortly afterwards but Preston Edwards came out to smother the ball in time. Moments later Sterling received the ball from Oakley-Boothe on the edge of the Dulwich box. He shimmied his way past Dulwich defender Quade Taylor before entering the danger zone and trying to curl the ball around Preston Edwards who spread his body well and was able to make the save. Spurs were now dominating possession. After Jeffrey Monakana surged down the left side of the Tottenham penalty area Spurs looked like they were in trouble. However, the Dulwich winger cut inside onto his right foot before curling an effort narrowly wide of Edward Smith’s goal. Smith was replaced by Joshua Oluwayemi shortly afterwards before Elliot Thorpe and Enock Asante entered the frame. After Kieran Monlouis managed to send a cross into the Spurs box, Dulwich Hamlet striker Danny Mills managed to latch onto the ball and volley it over Oluwayemi’s crossbar however, he had been closed down well by Jonathan Dinzeyi. Nyren Clunis fired an effort wide of the Spurs goal from long range before a coming together between Danny Mills and Paris Maghoma caused a brief pause in the game. Spurs’ strong start to the second half was rewarded when Tashan Oakley-Boothe levelled for the ‘ Lilywhites ‘ on 66 minutes. After Armando Shashoua had passed the ball to Dilan Markanday on the edge of the Dulwich Hamlet box the tricky winger had a pop on goal but it was straight at Quade Taylor. The ball was then picked up by the alert Tashan Oakley-Boothe and he emphatically fired the ball into the roof of Preston Edwards’ goal, 1-1.

Rodel Richards had a deflected effort saved by Preston Edwards before the dominant Luis Binks cleared a cross from Jack Connors at the opposite end of the pitch. Spurs then went straight down the other end of the pitch, Thorpe passed the ball to Markanday down the right wing and he managed to trick his way past Jack Connors before cutting the ball back to Thorpe who had made a run into the penalty area however, the young Welshman was unable to trap the ball and it ran out to Shashoua on the edge of the box. Shashoua’s low, first time effort was heroically cleared on the line by Dulwich Hamlet defender Quade Taylor. Spurs continued to come at Dulwich, after Dilan Markanday was given the ball by Elliot Thorpe down the right side of the oppositions danger zone the winger cut inside onto his left foot before curling an effort wide of the mark, Spurs were now on top of the game. Substitute Rodel Richards received a yellow card for a late challenge on Aaron Barnes before a big moment occurred in the game. Quade Taylor’s long kick up field caused bother for the Spurs defence as it entered the Spurs box, goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi came rushing out to get to the ball before the advancing Ade Yusuff but he missed the ball and clipped the feet of Yusuff leaving the referee Paul Howard with no other choice than to point to the spot. However, fortunately for both Spurs and Oluwayemi Christian Smith blazed his resulting spot kick over the crossbar. Luis Binks was on hand shortly afterwards to make an important sliding challenge to rob the ball off of Christian Smith inside the Spurs box. Some fine skill from Dilan Markanday down the right flank resulted in the 17 year old whipping the ball across the face of the Dulwich Hamlet goal, but goalkeeper Preston Edwards was on hand to gather the ball. Dulwich continued to finish the game well, substitute Belo’s late cross to pick out Ade Yusuff in the Spurs box forced Dinzeyi into shielding his man. However, Yusuff managed to turn and shoot but his low effort was saved by the diving Oluwayemi. Spurs then went forward down the other end of the pitch. Oakley-Boothe passed the ball to Shashoua on the edge of the Dulwich Hamlet box but the 18 year olds powerful low effort on goal was saved by the diving Preston Edwards. Luis Binks made a good clearance to divert Lewis White’s late pass before Christian Smith nodded Jack Connors cross over Joshua Oluwayemi’s crossbar.

Substitute striker Enock Asante’s late cross was fumbled by Preston Edwards but a Dulwich defender managed to clear the ball. A great bit of tracking back and an excellent sliding challenge from Elliot Thorpe on Lewis White in additional time caught the eye as both teams had to settle for a draw in the end. Wayne Burnett’s development side will now get ready to prepare for next weeks Tournoi Europeen out in Brittany, in France. The tournament starts next Friday and I am delighted to say that I will be in attendance for the second consecutive year.

Player reviews: 

• Edward Smith: The trialist goalkeeper didn’t have an awful lot to do on Saturday afternoon if the truth be told. Smith only had to make one save and that was a fairly routine one. The 23 year olds distribution was good and he dealt fairly well with crosses and set pieces.
• Maxwell Statham: It was a solid showing at right back from 18 year old Maxwell Statham who managed to keep pacy Dulwich Hamlet winger Jeffrey Monakana in check for large periods of the first half. Statham who, came off at half time in yesterday’s 1-1 draw, whipped some good crosses into the oppositions danger zone and he made a couple of good and important interceptions. He was very assured in his defending.
• Jubril Okedina: After putting in a solid performance at RCB during the first half alongside Jonathan Dinzeyi the 18 year old moved to right back for the second half. At right back Okedina had a decent game and he did a good job at protecting the right flank along with Dilan Markanday who tracked back well throughout his time on the pitch. 
• Jonathan Dinzeyi: My man of the match, see below.
• Tariq Hinds: Operating at left back for this game, Tariq Hinds put in a fairly solid performance and he managed to get up and down the left flank well throughout the match.
• Tashan Oakley-Boothe: It was a very impressive performance from the deep lying central midfielder on Saturday afternoon. Oakley-Boothe dictated the tempo of the game from central midfield, he moved the ball around well in the centre of the park and he also helped us attack by going on some excellent surging forward runs through the middle of the park. The 19 year old who took his second half goal extremely well posed a constant threat throughout the match. He was always on the move and his eye for a pass and his positioning was very impressive. It was a very good all round performance from the former England youth international who played in  a much more advanced role during the second half.
• Armando Shashoua: Alongside Tashan Oakley-Boothe in central midfield the technically very good midfielder had a good game for Spurs. Shashoua moved the ball around well and his passing was nice and crisp. Furthermore he initiated some good Spurs chances and he managed to have a couple of fine attempts on goal while also getting himself into good goal scoring positions.
• Shilow Tracey: Apart from being involved in a couple of Spurs attacks early on in the first half Shilow Tracey didn’t really manage to get into the game during his time on the pitch and he didn’t see much of the ball.
• Paris Maghoma: The CAM completed 66 minutes of Saturday’s game and once again the 18 year old managed to put in a very positive performance. Maghoma came close to finding the back of the net on two occasions yesterday and he made countless well timed runs into the danger zone. He held his own and was mature throughout his time on the pitch, he also used the ball intelligently and made some fine passes.
• Rayan Clarke: The left winger started the game well and although he should have opened the scoring for Spurs early on in game Clarke did go on some good purposeful runs. He would often look to cut inside onto his right foot and test the Dulwich Hamlet goalkeeper Preston Edwards.
• Kazaiah Sterling: The Spurs captain worked hard and made some good runs during his time on the pitch. However, the 20 year old missed a number of good chances which he would have hoped to have found the back of the net with. Sterling did however hold the ball up well during his time on the pitch. 
• Dilan Markanday: The 17 year olds introduction at half time influenced the Spurs attack massively. Apart from hitting the woodwork early on in the second half Markanday went on a number of sublime attacking forays down the right flank, often weaving his way into dangerous positions.  
• Rodel Richards: The second half substitute worked hard out on the left flank but he struggled to make much of an impact out wide.
• Luis Binks: Binks’ introduction at halftime helped to really sure up the Tottenham defence, and during his time on the pitch the second year scholar didn’t put a foot wrong alongside Jonathan Dinzeyi. Binks made some good defensive interventions and he managed to keep impeccable positioning. In addition he was dominant in the air and he brought the ball out well from the back.
• Elliot Thorpe: It was a very positive second half cameo from Thorpe who brought great energy to the game. The Wales under 19 international went on some really good runs through the middle of the park and he linked up very well with right winger Dilan Markanday who he had a good understanding with. Thorpe travelled with the ball well and was often looking to play one and two touch football. He also showed great desire when he was on the pitch. It was a very Lamela-esque performance from the 18 year old.
• Joshua Oluwayemi: The substitute goalkeeper only had to make one save during his time on the pitch and it must be said that he was slightly unlucky to concede a late penalty kick. 
• Enock Asante: The second half substitute led the line well and he pressed the Dulwich Hamlet defence well. It was great to see him back in action after he missed virtually all of last season through injury.

My man of the match: Towering centre half Jonathan Dinzeyi virtually didn’t put a foot wrong during yesterday’s game where he operated both at RCB and LCB. Dinzeyi made some crucial interventions including an excellent last ditch challenge on Kieran Monlouis during the opening stages of the game. He was good in the air, he shielded the ball well but most importantly of all he read the game to perfection and he brought the ball out well from the back. It was a very  mature performance from the 19 year old Londoner.

Dulwich Hamlet: Edwards, Barnes, Connors, Ijaha (Smith 65), Ambroisine, Taylor, Clunis (White 78), Chapman (Morris 78), Mills (c) (Yusuff 65), Monlouis (Tajbakhsh 78), Monakana (Belo 65). Substitutes (not used): Grainger, Case, Chambers.

Spurs: Smith (Tr) (Oluwayemi 59), Statham (Binks 46), Hinds, Oakley-Boothe, Okedina, Dinzeyi, Tracey (Markanday 46), A Shashoua, Sterling (c) (Asante 66), Maghoma (Thorpe 66), R Clarke (Richards 46).

Goals: Dulwich Hamlet – Clunis 24; Spurs – Oakley-Boothe 66.

Yellow card: Spurs – Richards 77.

Referee: Paul Howard.

Venue: Champion Hill, East Dulwich.

Attendance: 2,931.