Spurs under 23’s 2-2 Chelsea: (match report)

Our under 23’s contested a London derby on Friday evening when they took on London rivals Chelsea in a PL2 fixture at the EBB stadium in Aldeshot. Wayne Burnett’s side fought hard against a Chelsea side which included Germany international Antonio Rudiger in their team. Spurs started the game well and after some good early passing they took the lead through Phoenix Patterson in the 11th minute of time. Things got even better for Burnett’s side, who doubled their advantage less than nine minutes later after Shilow Tracey won a penalty kick which Harvey White expertly despatched. Spurs continued to play some good attacking football during the remainder of the first half but Chelsea did manage to create some good chances of their own. The second half was a different story for Spurs as Chelsea piled on the pressure. Clinton Mola pulled a goal back for Chelsea on 71 minutes and it was then that the ‘ Blues ‘ really went up a gear. After pushing hard for an equaliser that late goal eventually arrived in the fifth minute of additional time, as Tariq Lamptey managed to rescue a late point for the team from west London. Spurs lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation as Alfie Whiteman started in goal. A back four consisting of Jubril Okedina, captain TJ Eyoma, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Tariq Hinds lined up in front of him. Paris Maghoma and Harvey White teamed up in central midfield while Phoenix Patterson and Shilow Tracey operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Tashan Oakley-Boothe. Rodel Richards led the line for the second consecutive game. Chelsea got the game underway at the EBB stadium. After knocking the ball around the park well during the first few minutes of the match Chelsea created an early chance. After Tariq Uwakwe slipped the ball into Charlie Brown down the left hand side of the Spurs box the Chelsea forwards resulting cut back was blocked behind by the alert Brooklyn Lyons-Foster who closed him down well. Tariq Uwakwe’s resulting corner kick was headed straight at TJ Eyoma by Marc Guehi before George McEachran fired the ball onto Harvey White. Then in the 11th minute of the game Spurs took the lead, against the run of play. 

After Jubril Okedina had passed the ball to Shilow Tracey on the right flank the Spurs winger jinked past Henry Lawrence before whipping a low cross into the Chelsea box, where he managed to pick out the unmarked Phoenix Patterson who tapped the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and into the back of the net, 1-0. Shortly after the restart the lively Shilow Tracey played a clever disguised pass into the feet of Rodel Richards down the left side of the Chelsea box however, Richards’ resulting powerfully struck effort was saved by Jamie Cumming, with the ball going behind for a corner kick. Harvey White’s resulting corner kick was headed on by TJ Eyoma and it came close to squirming over the line after Jamie Cumming initially failed to gather the ball. Clinton Mola curled an effort over Alfie Whiteman’s crossbar from long range before Charlie Brown flicked Antonio Rudiger’s cross wide of the mark. Spurs then attacked down the other end of the pitch. After Harvey White passed the ball to Shilow Tracey out on the left flank the winger cut inside onto his left foot as he entered the Chelsea box, and it was there that he was brought to the ground by Tariq Lamptey who tripped him leaving the referee with no other option than to point to the spot. Harvey White elected to take the resulting spot kick and he calmly curled it into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, as Jamie Cumming dived the wrong way, 2-0. Shortly after the restart Chelsea had a penalty shout waived away after TJ Eyoma appeared to tug Charlie Brown’s shirt inside the Spurs box. After Clinton Mola had passed the ball to Tariq Uwakwe the fullback had a shot on goal which was blocked by Brooklyn Lyons-Foster before Thierno Ballo curled an effort over on the turn. Lyons-Foster cleared Tariq Lamptey’s cross shortly afterwards before TJ Eyoma headed away a cross from Thierno Ballo before Eyoma managed to block George McEachran’s shot on goal. Chelsea were enjoying a good spell in the game. After Faustino Anjorin cut inside down the left side of the Spurs box he fired an effort on goal which was bravely headed behind for a corner kick by TJ  Eyoma.

Tariq Uwakwe’s resulting corner kick was headed on by Antonio Rudiger before being headed over Alfie Whiteman’s crossbar by Charlie Brown. Faustino Anjorin then fired an effort wide from long range before George McEachran had a cross cleared away by Brooklyn Lyons-Foster. Antonio Rudiger surged into the Spurs box before having a pass cut out by TJ Eyoma. Faustino Anjorin then volleyed the ball over Alfie Whiteman’s crossbar before the referee sounded his whistle for halftime. Spurs got the second half underway. TJ Eyoma was on hand to clear Tariq Lamptey’s low cross before Faustino Anjorin flicked Tariq Uwakwe’s low cross wide. Chelsea continued to come at us, Eyoma cleared a cross from Tariq Uwakwe before then blocking Marc Guehi’s low drive on goal. Alfie Whiteman made his first save of the game shortly afterwards when he saved Clinton Mola’s deflected effort on goal. Charlie Brown then headed Thierno Ballo’s cross wide of goal. Tariq Uwakwe then whipped a dangerous cross right across the face of Alfie Whiteman’s goal as the ‘ Blues ‘ stepped up a gear. Alfie Whiteman was able to gather Tariq Lamptey’s cross before the same player whipped another teasing ball across the face of the Spurs goal. The game continued to be dominated by Chelsea. Antonio Rudiger headed over Tariq Uwakwe’s cross before Alfie Whiteman produced a superb reflex save to deny Tariq Uwakwe from close range after he had received George McEachran’s pass inside the Spurs box. Whiteman then managed to save Thierno Ballo’s effort from long range before Clinton Mola picked up the ball after Tashan Oakley-Boothe had lost possession, and he surged past Lyons-Foster and into the Spurs box before firing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Alfie Whiteman’s goal, 2-1. The aggressive home side continued to come at Spurs with real force. Henry Lawrence had an effort blocked behind for a corner kick by Harvey White before Antonio Rudiger headed Tariq Uwakwe’s cross off of Harvey White. Alfie Whiteman managed to keep out Marc Guehi’s header after he connected with Tariq Uwakwe’s cross.

Armando Shashoua came onto replace Phoenix Patterson as Spurs made their first change of the game. After Jubril Okedina had conceded a free kick out on the left flank, Tariq Uwakwe’s whipped effort was headed onto Marc Guehi by Antonio Rudiger but his headed effort was saved by Whiteman. Charlie Brown then nodded over Thierno Ballo’s cross, before Rayan Clarke came onto replace Paris Maghoma. Alfie Whiteman then saved Henry Lawrence’s low effort before he then managed to keep out Clinton Mola’s low effort on goal. The fine movement of substitute Armando Shashoua helped Spurs who came close to extending their lead after Rodel Richards slipped the ball into Shilow Tracey down the left flank the Spurs winger raced into the box however, Jamie Cumming was quick off his line to thwart Tracey’s resulting effort on goal. Chelsea continued to put the pressure on Spurs and so cruelly for the young ‘ Lilywhites ‘ the ‘ Blues ‘ managed to find a late, late winner, in the 95th minute of the game. After Tariq Lamptey had picked up the ball on the right flank he drifted inside onto his left foot before firing an unstoppable effort past Alfie Whiteman with virtually the last kick of the game, 2-2. The referee James Durkin blew the final whistle a couple of moments later to bring a sad end to a game which had promised so much for Wayne Burnett’s side. Our development sides next fixture is against Ipswich Town on Tuesday in the EFL trophy.

Player reviews:

• Alfie Whiteman: The 20 year old made several fine stops on Friday night (five in total) and while his distribution was decent Whiteman dealt well with crosses and set pieces. The former England under 17 international made a superb reflex save to deny Tariq Uwakwe from close range during the second half.
• Jubril Okedina: Okedina had a good game at right back where he defended well against the tricky Tariq Uwakwe. Okedina made several well timed interceptions throughout the game.
• TJ Eyoma: The Spurs captain had on the whole a very solid game despite the fact that we conceded two goals. Eyoma made many excellent blocks and defensive interventions and he was excellent in the air. 
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Like Eyoma I thought that Lyons-Foster had on the whole a very good game. He defended well, kept good positioning and he made some important clearances and interceptions. Like Eyoma, Lyons -Foster was dominant in the air and his passing was nice and crisp.
• Tariq Hinds: The makeshift left back defended well against Thierno Ballo and he went on some good attacking forays of his own down the left flank.
• Harvey White: The courageous CDM made many a good block and timely interception and he sat back well and kept good positioning throughout the game. White took his penalty well!
• Paris Maghoma: Extremely hard working for the team, Paris Maghoma put in a great shift for Spurs in central midfield. Maghoma broke up play and recycled possession well. His passing was also nice and crisp.
• Phoenix Patterson: It was a really good performance from the right winger who would often switch flanks with Shilow Tracey throughout the match. Patterson was in the right place at the right time to score our goal, and the 18 year old made many intelligent runs during his time on the pitch.
• Tashan Oakley-Boothe: The CAM made some decent runs through the middle of the pitch.
• Shilow Tracey: My man of the match, see below.
• Rodel Richards: The 18 year old led the line well and he did cause problems for experienced Chelsea central defender Antonio Rudiger.
• Armando Shashoua: The second half substitute linked play really well and his fine movement caused problems for the Chelsea defence.
• Rayan Clarke: The winger went on some good runs down the right flank.
• Jonathan Dinzeyi: The 19 year old tried to bolster the Spurs defence during the final moments of the game.

My man of the match: Left winger Shilow Tracey was electric out wide for large periods of Friday nights game. Tracey went on plenty of good surging forward runs, he tracked back selflessly and he did a good job at creating pockets of space for himself. Tracey did well to set up Phoenix Patterson’s opener on 11 minutes and he also did well to win our penalty. It was a very positive performance from the 21 year old who has now registered five assists from his opening four games of the league season.

Chelsea: Cumming, Lamptey, Rudiger, Guehi (c), Lawrence, Mola, Ballo, McEachran, Brown (Broja 81), Anjorin (Lewis 79), Uwakwe. Substitutes (not used): Ziger, Lavinier, Wakely.

Spurs: Whiteman, Okedina, Hinds, White, Eyoma (c), Lyons-Foster, Patterson (Shashoua 75), Maghoma (R Clarke 77), Richards, Oakley-Boothe (Dinzeyi 89), Tracey. Substitute (not used): De Bie.

Goals: Chelsea – Mola 71, Lamptey 90+5; Spurs – Patterson 11, White 20 (pen).

Referee: James Durkin.

Venue: EBB Stadium, Aldershot.

Attendance: 1,215.

Spurs under 23’s statistics: 

Goals: Troy Parrott – 2

Kazaiah Sterling – 2

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 1

Shilow Tracey – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Rodel Richards – 1

Phoenix Patterson – 1

Harvey White – 1

Assists: Shilow Tracey – 5

Jamie Bowden – 1

Tariq Hinds – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Kazaiah Sterling – 1

Dilan Markanday – 1

Clean sheets: Brandon Austin – 1