Spurs under 18’s 4-2 Liverpool: (match report)

(This photograph is from Tottenham Hotspur FC).

Our under 18’s took on Liverpool at the Lamex stadium in Stevenage on Monday night, in the third round of this seasons FA youth cup. Matt Taylor’s side put in a great team performance to knock the holders of the competition out by beating them 4-2 on a bitterly cold night in Hertfordshire. Matt Taylor picked a strong side for this important clash as Troy Parrott, Harvey White and Luis Binks were all included in the starting 11. Spurs opened the scoring through Troy Parrott who after being brought down by Liverpool goalkeeper Harvey Davies, he clinically slotted home from the resulting penalty kick. Parrott doubled our advantage once again from the penalty spot before Liverpool pulled a goal back before half time. Liverpool started the second half the better of the two teams and they soon levelled the scores. However, finely taken late goals from Max Robson and Chay Cooper secured the win for Spurs who will face either Wigan Athletic or Croydon in the next round.

Spurs lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation on Monday night as Thimothee Lo-Tutala started in goal. A back four consisting of Dermi Lusala, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Luis Binks and Dennis Cirkin lined up in front of him. Harvey White and Kallum Cesay anchored the midfield while Tarrelle Whittaker and J’Neil Bennett operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Max Robson. Captain and centre forward Troy Parrott started up top for the young Lilywhites. Liverpool got the game underway at the Lamex Stadium in front of a big crowd (of which included members of our development side who had come along to support the under 18’s). The first chance of the game came Liverpool’s way, after Tottenham goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala was robbed of the ball by Liverpool captain Fidel O’Rourke inside the Spurs box. O’Rourke passed the ball to Jake Cain who curled an effort narrowly wide of the Spurs goal. Troy Parrott cleared Jake Cain’s free kick a couple of minutes later before O’Rourke shot over Lo-Tutala’s crossbar.

After latching onto Luis Binks’ long forward pass, Troy Parrott managed to hold off Liverpool’s Remi Savage before advancing into the Liverpool box where his eventual shot was blocked by Savage. After the lively Tarrelle Whittaker played a quick one two with Parrott in the Liverpool box, Whittaker passed the ball to Dennis Cirkin whose deflected drive went over the crossbar. Harvey White’s resulting corner kick was headed over by Malachi Fagan-Walcott. A couple of minutes later Max Robson passed the ball to Tarrelle Whittaker who cut inside from the right flank, into the Liverpool box before having a shot on goal blocked by Remi Savage. J’Neil Bennett then had a goal ruled out for offside. Spurs continued to play well and after Fagan-Walcott passed the ball to Bennett down the left flank, the Spurs winger squared the ball for Max Robson whose first time effort on goal was saved by Harvey Davies. Kallum Cesay then fired an effort over from distance before Liverpool broke forward down the opposite end of the pitch. Owen Beck gave the ball to Jake Cain whose cross was missed by Lo-Tutala before bouncing off the head of Luis Binks, before being gathered by the Spurs goalkeeper.

After latching onto Fagan-Walcott’s clearance on the edge of the Spurs box Tom Hill had a low shot saved by Lo-Tutala. Troy Parrott then cleared Leighton Clarkson’s cross before Lo-Tutala gathered Conor Bradley’s resulting cross as Liverpool enjoyed a good spell in the game. A good move from Liverpool saw Jake Cain pass the ball to James Norris who passed the ball to Tom Hill, whose shot was saved by Lo-Tutala. Malachi Fagan-Walcott cleared Jake Cain’s cross before Spurs won a penalty kick. After Tarrelle Whittaker’s through ball was latched onto by the racing Troy Parrott down the right hand side of the Liverpool box, Liverpool goalkeeper Harvey Davies came out to meet it but he caught Parrott who went flying to the ground. This left referee Daniel Simpson with no other option than to point to the spot. Parrott stood up to clinically slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Harvey Davies’ goal, 1-0. Shortly after the restart Harvey White’s corner kick was glanced just wide of the Liverpool goal by Troy Parrott. A good move from Spurs ended in Whittaker passing the ball to Parrott on the right flank and he whipped a dangerous ball across the face of Harvey Davies’ goal.

After latching onto Max Robson’s pass inside the Liverpool box Parrott was barged to the ground by the outrushing Harvey Davies, resulting in another penalty for Spurs. Parrott stood up before firing the ball into the roof of Harvey Davies’ net, 2-0. Max Robson blocked behind Leighton Clarkson’s shot before Liverpool had a penalty shout waived away after Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Luis Binks sandwiched Layton Stewart inside the Spurs box. Kallum Cesay was shown a yellow card before Liverpool pulled a goal back right on the stroke of halftime through Conor Bradley. After O’Rourke passed the ball to Norris he passed the ball to Bradley down the left side of the Spurs box, and he fired the ball into the right hand corner of the goal, 2-1. Shortly after the restart Parrott passed the ball to Bennett who had a shot blocked by Ki Jana-Hoever. A couple of moments later and after receiving Fagan-Walcott’s pass, J’Neil Bennett whipped the ball into the Liverpool box where his cross was met by Max Robson who headed the ball narrowly wide of the goal. The referee sounded his whistle for half time a couple of seconds later. 

Spurs restarted the game however, it was Liverpool who managed to create the first chance of the half. After Owen Beck passed the ball to James Norris he crossed the ball into the Spurs box where he managed to pick out Tom Hill whose header was saved by Lo-Tutala, before being cleared away by J’Neil Bennett. Spurs then broke forward down the opposite end of the pitch through Dennis Cirkin who passed the ball to Bennett who in turn gave it to Parrott whose shot on goal was blocked by Ki Jana-Hoever. After knocking the ball around the park well Liverpool netted an equaliser in the 63rd minute of the game through Layton Stewart. After receiving Tom Hill’s pass Stewart cut inside from the left flank before firing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Lo-Tutala’s goal, 2-2. Malachi Fagan-Walcott cleared away Tom Hill’s corner kick before Matt Taylor made a double substitution, bringing off Kallum Cesay and Tarrelle Whittaker for Rafferty Pedder and Chay Cooper. After going on an excellent forward run from left back, Dennis Cirkin jinked past Leighton Clarkson before having a powerful effort on goal parried by Harvey Davies. Chay Cooper then fired the ball over the crossbar. 

After Max Robson conceded a free kick on the edge of the Spurs box, Dennis Cirkin blocked Jake Cain’s effort on goal. Then in the 76th minute of the game Spurs regained the lead through Max Robson. After Harvey White had passed the ball to J’Neil Bennett on the left flank, the Spurs winger floated a cross into Max Robson at Harvey Davies’ near post. Robson popped up, attacked the ball and headed it past Harvey Davies to spark jubilant scenes of celebration, 3-2. Less than a minute later Spurs stunned the ‘ Reds ‘ by making it 4-2. After receiving Rafferty Pedder’s pass, Chay Cooper sprinted forward, he knocked the ball past Leighton Clarkson before running past two more Liverpool players and entering the ‘ Reds ‘ box. When there Cooper kept his composure before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 4-2. Shortly after the restart Dermi Lusala was shown a yellow card for taking too long to take a throw in before Enock Asante came onto replace Max Robson. Luis Binks and J’Neil Bennett were both shown yellow cards for kicking the ball away before James Balagizi saw his deflected effort on goal go just wide of Lo-Tutala’s goal. After receiving the ball with his back to goal Tyler Morton turned and shot however, his effort was superbly blocked by the superb sliding Fagan-Walcott on the line. 

After Troy Parrott had kicked the ball at Tom Hill there was a brief coming together between both sets of players. After Asante had passed the ball fo Cooper the skilful winger had a late effort saved by Harvey Davies before the referee brought a thrilling game to an end.

Player reviews:

• Thimothee Lo-Tutala: The Tottenham goalkeeper made three solid saves on the night and he dealt well with crosses and set pieces. Furthermore, Lo-Tutala’s distribution was good.
• Dermi Lusala: The right back had a good game and he was good on the ball. Furthermore, the 16 year old stayed deep and defended well.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The 17 year old performed very well at RCB and he made some important defensive interventions. Fagan-Walcott was good in the air and in the challenge, and he made a superb sliding block to prevent a certain goal for Tyler Morton during the latter stages of the game.
• Luis Binks: Like Fagan-Walcott the LCB did ever so well for the team last night. Binks was superb in the air, he read the game well and he kept good positioning. Binks and Fagan-Walcott worked very well together.
• Dennis Cirkin: The left back had a strong first half in which he defended well in. However, it was during the second half that he really impressed. Cirkin went on some excellent forward runs and he tested Liverpool right back Conor Bradley. Cirkin defended ever so solidly on the night. 
• Harvey White: The CDM performed well on the night, he was good on the ball and he protected the defence well.
• Kallum Cesay: The central midfielder protected the defence well and he moved the ball about well in the middle of the park. 
• Tarrelle Whittaker: The right winger was lively and he caused a lot of problems for Liverpool’s left back Owen Beck during the first half. Whittaker’s movement and pace was a thorn in Liverpool’s side, and the 17 year olds passing was also good on the day. 
• Max Robson: The CAM moved around the park well and he also did a good job at linking play and brining others into the game. Robson’s movement and anticipation for his late goal was very good indeed.
• J’Neil Bennett: The left winger performed well against Liverpool’s Conor Bradley and he also set up Max Robson’s goal.
• Troy Parrott: My man of the match, see below.
• Rafferty Pedder: The second half substitute helped to change the game along with Chay Cooper, with his energy and aggressive pressing. 
• Chay Cooper: The scorer of an excellently taken late goal, right winger Chay Cooper performed excellently during his 20 minutes on the pitch. Apart taking his goal with great skill, Cooper’s aggressiveness and the timing of his runs helped to break down Liverpool late on in the game.
• Enock Asante: N/A.

My man of the match: Troy Parrott. The Spurs captain led the line with distinction on Monday night against a strong Liverpool defence. Parrott’s movement and his speed was top class however, the Irishman’s physical presence also caused a lot of problems for the two Liverpool centre halves. Parrott also won both of his penalties of which he took ever so well indeed. This was a very good performance from the 17 year old who helped to make a big difference on the night. He and the rest of the Spurs lads should be very proud of their performances.

Spurs: Lo-Tutala, Lusala, Cirkin, White, Fagan-Walcott, Binks, Whittaker (Cooper 70), Cesay (Pedder 70), Parrott (c), Robson (Asante 86), Bennett. Substitutes (not used): Kurylowicz, Muir, Mundle, Santiago.

Liverpool: Davies, Bradley, Beck, Hoever, Savage, Clarkson (Morton 83), Hill, Cain, Stewart (Balagizi 80), O’Rourke (c) (Bearne 66), Norris.

Goals: Spurs – Parrott 17 (pen), 31 (pen), Robson 76, Cooper 77; Liverpool – Bradley 44, Stewart 63.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Cesay 40, Lusala 85, Binks 87, Bennett 89, Parrott 90+5; 

Liverpool – Cain 41, Clarkson 69, Hill 90+5.

Referee: Daniel Simpson.

Venue: Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

Attendance: 865.

Spurs under 18’s statistics 2019/20:

Goals: 

Tarrelle Whittaker – 6

Chay Cooper – 4

Max Robson – 4

Enock Asante – 3

Kion Etete –  3

Kallum Cesay – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

J’Neil Bennett – 2

Troy Parrott – 2

Dane Scarlett – 1

Harvey White – 1

Assists

Chay Cooper – 4

Max Robson – 3

Tarrelle Whittaker – 3

Dermi Lusala –  3

Kion Etete – 2

Romaine Mundle – 2

Troy Parrott – 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

J’Neil Bennett – 1

Clean sheets: 

Kacper Kurylowicz – 2

Josh Oluwayemi – 1