Spurs under 18’s 2-0 Southampton: (match report)

Our under 18’s took on out of form Southampton on Saturday morning in the premier league south, at the ‘ Saints ‘ Staplewood training ground. Matt Taylor’s side weren’t at their best against the ‘ Saints ‘ however, they found themselves one nil up at the break thanks to a goal from Tarrelle Whittaker and some splendid first half saves from Kacper Kurylowicz. Kallum Cesay made it 2-0 shortly after the restart as Spurs started to dominate possession. And in the end Matt Taylor’s side held onto record a good, solid two nil win. Taylor’s side lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation as Kacper Kurylowicz started in goal. A back four consisting of Kallum Cesay, Malachi Walcott, Luis Binks and Dermi Lusala lined up in front of him. Matthew Craig and Chay Cooper partnered up in central midfield while Enock Asante and Tarrelle Whittaker operated out on the flanks either side of CAM Max Robson. Kion Etete led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a warm morning in County Hampshire. Kegs Chauke’s early effort on goal was deflected behind for a corner by Luis Binks. The Spurs captain then headed away David Agbontohoma’s headed effort on goal from Seamas Keogh’s corner kick. Binks was on hand again moments later, this time to clear away James Morris’s cross. The alert Kacper Kurylowicz saved Roland Idowu’s powerful shot on goal as Southampton began to dominate possession. A good attacking move saw Roland Idowu pass the ball to Ramello Mitchell who passed it to James Morris down the left side of the Spurs box but his resulting shot was saved well by the legs of Kurylowicz at his near post. Kion Etete headed over Chay Cooper’s corner kick before midfielder Matthew Craig picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Rafferty Pedder who went into the CAM position. Sam Bellis headed Seamas Keogh’s corner kick into the arms of Kurylowicz. There was not a lot of action during the early stages of the game. After receiving Ryan Cluett’s pass Ramello Mitchell shot wide from the edge of the Spurs box.

Roland Idowu then had a powerful effort on goal parried by Kacper Kurylowicz before Enock Asante came inside from the right flank before curling an effort over the Southampton goal. Luis Binks cleared away a corner kick from James Morris before the home side came desperately close to taking the lead through Sam Bellis. After David Agbontohoma’s looping cross was missed by Kallum Cesay inside the Spurs box the ball came to Sam Bellis whose powerful effort was superbly pushed onto his left hand post by the razor sharp Kacper Kurylowicz, before Marco Rus was ruled offside after latching onto the ball. Tarrelle Whittaker and Enock Asante switched flanks before Malachi Walcott made an important interception on Ramello Mitchell inside the Spurs box as Mitchell looked for a penalty. A corner kick from Tarrelle Whittaker came to Enock Asante inside the Southampton box but his resulting shot was blocked by Sam Bailey before Whittaker had a cross gathered by Southampton goalkeeper Olly Wright, before Spurs took the lead on the stroke of halftime. Rafferty Pedder passed the ball to Etete who gave it to Robson who threaded a nice pass through to Tarrelle Whittaker down the right hand side of the Southampton box. Whittaker’s resulting low effort squirmed underneath Olly Wright before nestling into the back of the net, 1-0. The referee blew his whistle for halftime shortly after the restart. Spurs made a change at halftime as Malachi Walcott was replaced by Marqes Muir. Southampton got the game back underway. Spurs were knocking the ball around the park well during the opening minutes of the second half. After receiving Kion Etete’s pass Rafferty Pedder went on a jinking forward run through the middle of the park before having a powerful shot palmed away by Olly Wright. Kallum Cesay then had a shot blocked by James Morris inside the Southampton box. Spurs then doubled their advantage through Kallum Cesay.

After Enock Asante had intercepted Seamas Keogh he passed the ball to Rafferty Pedder whose powerful low effort from the edge of the Southampton box hit Olly Wright’s right hand post. However, the ball came to Kallum Cesay who fired home from an acute angle, 2-0. Southampton responded by hitting the Spurs crossbar through Roland Idowu before Luis Binks blocked Marco Rus’s shot inside the Spurs box. A good Spurs move saw Kallum Cesay pass the ball to Max Robson who passed the ball to Kion Etete who burst down the right hand side of the Southampton box. Although Etete slipped he managed to pass the ball to Tarrelle Whittaker whose low effort on goal was touched behind by Olly Wright. A couple of minutes later Max Robson passed the ball to Chay Cooper who had a shot saved by Olly Wright. Tarrelle Whittaker then had a curling effort tipped over the bar by Olly Wright. A couple of moments later Whittaker chested down Chay Cooper’s sprayed pass inside the Southampton box before shooting a low effort narrowly wide. Luis Binks then headed Chay Cooper’s corner into the path of Kallum Cesay whose volleyed effort was saved by Olly Wright. Yago Alonso came onto replace Chay Cooper before Luis Binks headed Rafferty Pedder’s corner kick into the arms of Olly Wright before Dermi Lusala cut out a dangerous pass from Ramello Mitchell through to Kazeem Olaigbe in the Spurs box. Mikey Saunders then volleyed James Morris’s cross wide of Kurylowicz’s goal before Sam Bailey powered an effort from range onto the crossbar, before the referee sounded his whistle for full time. It was a good win for Spurs who after struggling a little bit in the first half really came into the game and played some attractive attacking football. Up next for Spurs is a Premier League Cup fixture against West Ham next Saturday. They’ll be eager to avenge their recent 3-2 league defeat to the ‘ Hammers ‘.

Player reviews: 

• Kacper Kurylowicz: My man of the match, see below. 
• Kallum Cesay: After a difficult period during the first half the right back really grew into the game. Cesay was solid and he got up and down the right flank well, going on some good attacking forays. Cesay took his goal well from a tight angle.
• Malachi Walcott: It was fantastic to see the RCB back in action after a long injury lay off. Walcott completed the first half of today’s game and I thought that he had a solid game, making some important interceptions and reading the game well.
• Luis Binks: This was another imperious defensive performance from the Spurs captain who had an excellent game at LCB. Binks led the defence well and the quality of his interceptions and challenges today was top class. Dominant in the air and good at bringing the ball out from the back, Binks couldn’t have done much more on the day.
• Dermi Lusala: The tenacious left back had a very good game for Matt Taylor’s side. Good on the ball and at going forwards, Lusala also defended impeccably well and he showed great strength on the ball. It’s worth mentioning that he is in fact a right back by trade.
• Matthew Craig: Although he was nice and tidy during the time that he was on the pitch, unfortunately Craig went off injured early on in the game.
• Chay Copper: The assertive Chay Cooper put in a good shift in central midfield and he added a nice balance to the side with his silky skills and tigerish pressing. 
• Enock Asante: The striker would operate out on both flanks and he made a positive impression on the game. Asante was involved in our second goal of the game after winning the ball off of a Southampton player.
• Max Robson: Very tidy in the middle of the park and good at linking up play, Robson had a good game which was capped off by him registering a nice assist. 
• Tarrelle Whittaker: The winger was potent going forwards and good at tracking back. Furthermore, Whittaker took his goal on the stroke of halftime really well. He has now netted two goals so far this season. 
• Kion Etete: I thought that the 17 year old had a really good game today. Etete led the line well and he did a great job at holding up the ball. He also pressed the Southampton defenders at every opportunity. He showed a nice tenacious side to his game and he made some strong challenges.
• Rafferty Pedder: The first half substitute totally energised the Spurs team after he came on to replace the injured Matthew Craig. Pedder linked play really well and whenever he ran forwards with the ball the Southampton defenders looked scared. Pedder got the assist for Kallum Cesay’s goal. He was probably Spurs’ best attacking player on the day.
• Marqes Muir: The second half substitute was solid and assertive alongside the more experienced Luis Binks. 
• Yago Alonso: The midfielder looked nice and composed on the ball during his short time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Kacper Kurylowicz. The Tottenham goalkeeper made some match winning saves which really kept Spurs in the game today during the first half. The vocal Kurylowicz’s distribution was good and he also dealt relatively well with crosses and set pieces. However, it was his five important saves which were just as important as our two goals. The 18 year olds excellent reflex save to deny Sam Bellis from close range during the first half was a defining moment in the game.

Spurs: Kurylowicz, Cesay, Lusala, Matthew Craig (Pedder 23), Fagan-Walcott (Muir 46), Binks (c), Asante, Cooper (Alonso 78), Etete, Robson, Whittaker. Substitutes (not used): Lo-Tutala, Mundle.

Spurs under 18’s statistics 2019/20:

Goals: 

Chay Cooper – 3

Enock Asante – 2

Kion Etete –  2

Tarrelle Whittaker – 2

Kallum Cesay – 2

Max Robson – 1

Rafferty Pedder – 1

Assists:

Tarrelle Whittaker – 2

Max Robson – 2

Chay Cooper – 1

Luis Binks – 1

Michael Craig – 1

Dermi Lusala – 1

Eddie Carrington – 1

Kion Etete – 1

Kallum Cesay – 1

Marqes Muir –  1

Enock Asante – 1

Rafferty Pedder – 1

Clean sheets: 

Kacper Kurylowicz – 2

Joshua Oluwayemi – 1