Spurs under 18’s 3-5 Chelsea: (match report)

Our under 18’s resumed league action on Saturday morning when they took on fierce London rivals Chelsea at Hotspur Way. Matt Taylor’s side took on a Chelsea side who sat in second place in the league table going into this encounter, and it was always going to be a big test for the young Lilywhites to achieve all three points. After an extremely difficult first half where Spurs were totally dominated by Chelsea, the ‘ Blues ‘ found themselves five goals to the good as they ripped Spurs to pieces. However, Spurs put in a much better display during the second half, thanks mainly due to the introduction of midfielder Harvey White. Tarrelle Whittaker got a brace and Harvey White scored the other goal as Spurs got the scores to a respectable 5-3. Matt Taylor will have been happy with the great spirit that his side showed during the second half of Saturday’s London derby. Spurs lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation as Thimothee Lo-Tutala started in goal. A back four consisting of Dermi Lusala, Marqes Muir, Aaron Skinner and Dennis Cirkin lined up in front of him. Max Robson and Rafferty Pedder anchored the midfield while Tarrelle Whittaker and Chay Cooper operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Yago Santiago. Schoolboy Dane Scarlett led the line for the Lilywhites. Spurs got the game underway on a bitterly cold morning in north London. However, the game got off to the worst possible start for Matt Taylor’s side who, conceded inside the first two minutes, after Spurs defender Aaron Skinner gave away a penalty. After latching onto Sam McClelland’s pass Joe Haigh sprinted past Aaron Skinner down the left flank, and into the Spurs penalty area. Skinner managed to catch up with Haigh however, he pulled back the Chelsea man who shot wide of Thimothee Lo-Tutala’s goal, leaving the referee with no other option than to point to the spot and show Skinner a yellow card. Lewis Bate stood up before firing the ball into the right hand corner of Lo-Tutala’s (he had guessed the right way) goal, 0-1. A well worked passing move from the ‘ Blues ‘ inside the Spurs penalty area ended in Thimothee Lo-Tutala smothering the ball from the feet of Marcel Lewis a couple of minutes later. 

After receiving Levi Colwill’s pass Armando Broja darted forward down the right flank before shooting wide of the Spurs goal. Lo-Tutala saved Marcel Lewis’ curling effort on goal shortly afterwards before Valentino Livramento fired an effort just wide of the Spurs goal after receiving Joe Haigh’s pass. 15 year old Spurs centre forward Dane Scarlett was forced to come off through injury a couple of moments later. Scarlett had hurt himself while making a late challenge on Dynel Simeu, he was replaced by Romaine Mundle as Tarrelle Whittaker went up top. Rafferty Pedder was shown a yellow card for fouling Joe Haigh. A couple of minutes later and after Chay Cooper had conceded a free kick out on the left flank, Chelsea doubled their lead. Lewis Bate’s free kick managed to pick out Joe Haigh who headed the ball at the Spurs goal. Goalkeeper Lo-Tutala palmed the ball against the underside of the crossbar but he couldn’t prevent it from going in, 0-2. Shortly afterwards Chelsea made it 3-0. After Armando Broja had attempted to meet Xavier Simons low cross from the right flank, Broja’s effort was turned into his own goal by Spurs defender Dermi Lusala, 0-3. A couple of minutes later and after Lusala had given away a free kick in a dangerous position, Chelsea made it 4-0. Marcel Lewis’ free kick was headed down by Dynel Simeu in the Spurs box for Xavier Simons who tapped the ball past Lo-Tutala, 0-4.  Shortly after the restart and after receiving Sam McClelland’s pass Marcel Lewis‘ shot on goal was well blocked by Aaron Skinner. Valentino Livramento then had an effort on goal which was blocked by Dermi Lusala before being gathered by Thimothee Lo-Tutala. After Max Robson had conceded a free kick on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area Lo-Tutala managed to beat away Marcel Lewis’ curling effort on goal. Then Lewis Bate’s corner was headed into the arms of Lo-Tutala by Dynel Simeu. At the other end of the pitch Rafferty Pedder volleyed over Tarrelle Whittaker’s pass, before a good Chelsea move resulted in Joe Haigh passing the ball to Valentino Livramento who passed the ball to Marcel Lewis down the left side of the Spurs box however, he could only fire the ball into the side netting.

After receiving Marcel Lewis’ pass, Armando Broja fired the ball into Dennis Cirkin on the turn. A couple of minutes later Lewis Bate passed the ball to Valentino Livramento who in turn gave it to Armando Broja who fired wide of the Spurs goal. However, shortly after Broja did make the net back of the net bulge. After Marcel Lewis had passed the ball to the Albania under 21 international inside the Spurs box he managed to find the bottom left hand corner of Lo-Tutala’s goal courtesy of a fine finish (Lo-Tutala managed to get a hand on the ball). Spurs responded by knocking the ball around the park well. After Pedder had passed the ball to Mundle out on the right flank he whipped the ball deep into the Chelsea penalty area where he managed to pick out Chay Cooper at the back post however, the Tottenham winger could only flick the ball into the side netting. At the opposite end of the pitch Aaron Skinner managed to block Armando Broja’s effort on goal before Lo-Tutala managed to save Marcel Lewis’ curling effort from distance. At the other end of the pitch Chay Cooper surged forwards before shooting a low effort wide of Jake Askew’s goal. Chelsea got the second half underway and soon after getting the game restarted Levi Colwill had a shot blocked by Marqes Muir inside the Spurs box. The following corner kick which was delivered by Lewis Bate, was met by Sam McClelland whose headed effort was cleared on the line by Chay Cooper. Dermi Lusala then blocked Henry Lawrence’s effort on goal before Sam McClelland headed Lewis Bate’s free kick wide of goal. Yago Santiago madd way for Harvey White, with Rafferty Pedder slotting into the number ten role. Soon afterwards Rafferty Pedder had a cross palmed away by Jake Askew before the lively midfielder skewed an effort wide of goal from distance. Chelsea then had a penalty shout waived away after Armando Broja appeared to be tripped in the Spurs penalty area by Dermi Lusala. Spurs did manage however, to pull a goal back shortly afterwards. After Lusala had passed the ball to Mundle on the right flank the Tottenham winger whipped the ball deep into the the Chelsea box. Mundle’s cross managed to reach the outstretched Tarelle Whittaker who volleyed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the Chelsea goal, 1-5. Valentino Livramento responded for Chelsea by whipping a dangerous low ball across the face of the Spurs goal. Marqes Muir blocked Livramento’s cross a couple of moments later before Dermi Lusala blocked Henry Lawrence’s shot on goal. Max Robson was then shown a yellow card for a foul on the same Chelsea player.  

Aaron Skinner blocked a shot from Lewis Bate before Xavier Simons blocked a shot from Rafferty Pedder. Marqes Muir was then shown a yellow card for pulling back Marcel Lewis. After winning the ball Harvey White passed the ball to Tarrelle Whittaker who surged forwards towards the Chelsea penalty area before emphatically smashing the ball off the underside of Jake Askew’s crossbar before it went into the back of the net, 2-5. Schoolboy Roshaun Mathurin came onto replace Max Robson to make his competitive under 18 debut. Tarrelle Whittaker then had a shot blocked by Sam McClelland on the edge of the Chelsea box. A couple of minutes later Spurs won a penalty after Chay Cooper was barged to the floor by Henry Lawrence while attempting to get onto Rafferty Pedder’s cross inside the Chelsea box. After an argument took place between Harvey White and Tarrelle Whittaker as to who would take the resulting penalty kick. Eventually it was decided that White would take it. The midfielders powerful whipped effort nestled into the right hand corner of Jake Askew’s goal, despite the Chelsea goalkeeper getting a hand on the ball, 3-5. Tarrelle Whittaker had a late effort saved by Askew after he had received Cooper’s pass, before the referee sounded his whistle for full time. Spurs’ next game is away to Newcastle United in the premier league cup, on Saturday the 23rd of November. 

Player reviews: 

• Thimothee Lo-Tutala: The 16 year old goalkeeper made four saves in total against Chelsea and he had a solid game.
• Dermi Lusala: The right back had a decent game in which he made some good challenges in.
• Marqes Muir: Really showed his strength on numerous occasions in Saturday’s 5-3 defeat. Muir defended well and he contributed well to what was a difficult game for Spurs. 
• Aaron Skinner: The LCB from Bury started the game badly by giving away a penalty inside the first minute. However, the second year schlolar grew into the game and he made some important blocks. Skinner’s passing and positioning were good.
• Dennis Cirkin: The Spurs captain made one excellent defensive intervention during the second half. Generally the left back had a good game against the speedy Valentino Livramento.
• Rafferty Pedder: The skilful midfielder tried to get Spurs playing football throughout a difficult first half. Nobody could fault Pedder’s tremendous work rate and desire to impact the game and although he was outmuscled on occasions by some of the muscular Chelsea midfielders, the Spurs man never let his head drop and he put in a very good shift for the team. Every time the second year scholar received the ball he would always look to drive at the ‘ Blues ‘ defence. Pedder also played a part in Spurs’ final goal of the game. He can be proud of his performance. 
• Max Robson: The central midfielder tried to impact the game with his energy, pace, quick feet and incisive passing. 
• Tarrelle Whittaker: The forward worked hard up top, his movement was good and he also took both of his goals well.
• Yago Santiago: The 16 year old worked hard but he ultimately found it difficult to make much of an impact on the game.
• Chay Cooper: I was impressed with the left wingers communication skills and encouragement to his teammates. Furthermore, Cooper tracked back excellently and he was one of Spurs’ best attacking outlets on the day.
• Dane Scarlett: The 15 year old went off injured early on in the game.
• Romaine Mundle: Always looking to run with the ball, and very positive in his overall play out on the right wing. Mundle chipped in with an assist.
• Harvey White: My man of the match, see below. 
• Roshaun Mathurin: The skilful schoolboy looked promising in the CAM/LW role and he had some nice moments during the latter stages of the game.

My man of the match: Harvey White was a class above everybody else on the pitch today. Entering the game in the 53rd minute the classy central midfielder dictated the tempo of the game from midfield. With his fine vision, immaculate passing and tenacity, the 18 year old really did boss the midfield. White got an assist and a goal today and he put in an excellent shift for Matt Taylor’s side. White will be hoping to start against Gillingham on Tuesday in the Leasing.com trophy.

Spurs: Lo-Tutala, Lusala, Cirkin (c), Robson (Mathurin 79), Muir, Skinner, Whittaker, Pedder, Scarlett (Mundle 13),Santiago (White 53), Cooper. Substitute (not used) Kurylowicz.

Spurs under 18’s statistics 2019/20:

Goals: 

Tarrelle Whittaker – 6

Chay Cooper – 3

Enock Asante – 3

Kion Etete –  3

Kallum Cesay – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

Max Robson – 2

Dane Scarlett – 1

J’Neil Bennett – 1

Harvey White – 1

Assists

Chay Cooper – 4

Max Robson – 3

Tarrelle Whittaker – 2

Kion Etete – 2

Dermi Lusala – 2

Romaine Mundle – 2

Luis Binks – 1

Michael Craig – 1

Eddie Carrington – 1

Kallum Cesay – 1

Marqes Muir –  1

Enock Asante – 1

Rafferty Pedder – 1

Yago Santiago – 1

Dennis Cirkin – 1

Harvey White – 1

Clean sheets: 

Kacper Kurylowicz – 2

Joshua Oluwayemi – 1