Spurs under 18’s 2-3 Reading: (match report)

Our under 18’s took on Reading at Hotspur Way in the premier league south on Saturday morning. Matt Taylor’s side started the game well, opening the scoring on 16 minutes through Dennis Cirkin. Then three minutes later Reading’s Jeriel Dorsett scored an own goal to make it 2-0 to the young Lilywhites. However, a second half fight back from the ‘ Royals ‘ overcame Spurs’ dominance in the first half, and three well executed Reading goals sunk Spurs. Matt Taylor’s side lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation as Kacper Kurylowicz started in goal. A back four consisting of Dermi Lusala, Marqes Muir, Aaron Skinner and captain Dennis Cirkin lined up in front of him. Kallum Cesay teamed up in central midfield while Romaine Mundle and Chay Cooper operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Rafferty Pedder. Tarrelle Whittaker led the line for Spurs. Reading got the game underway on a sunny morning at Hotspur Way. An early Spurs move resulted in Robson passing the ball to Lusala whose cross into the Reading box was headed behind (it almost crept into the goal) by Jeriel Dorsett. A couple of minutes later Max Robson passed the ball to Romaine Mundle whose effort on goal was spilt by Reading’s goalkeeper Harvey Collins, with Robson almost getting on the end of the loose ball. 

After a decent start to the game from Spurs the young Lilywhites continued to come at Reading. After the impressive Dennis Cirkin cut inside from the left flank he fired an effort on goal on his right foot which was saved by Harvey Collins. Then in the 16th minute of the game Spurs took the lead through none other than Dennis Cirkin. After embarking on a long lung bursting run down the left flank Cirkin passed the ball to Mundle before making a run into the Reading penalty area where he met Mundle’s resulting cross. Cirkin headed the ball in off Harvey Collins’ right hand post, 1-0. A couple of minutes after the restart and after receiving Nelson Abbey’s pass Augustus McGiff had a shot on goal blocked by Aaron Skinner, before Spurs doubled their lead. After receiving Max Robson’s pass out on the right wing Chay Cooper surged forward, before whipping the ball into the Reading box where it was turned into his goal by Jeriel Dorsett who had attempted to clear the ball, 2-0.

Reading responded, after Pedro Neves’ long pass picked out Thierry Nevers in the Spurs box Nevers volleyed an effort a fraction wide of Kurylowicz’s goal. Dermi Lusala then had a cross gathered by Harvey Collins before Max Robson whipped an effort wide of the Reading goal from the edge of the oppositions danger zone. Dermi Lusala was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Thierry Nevers. After Aaron Skinner cleared away a free kick from Thierry Nevers, Nahum Melvin-Lambert had a shot on goal saved by Kacper Kurylowicz. After going on a long surging run through the middle of the park Tarrelle Whittaker forced a save out of Harvey Collins before Chay Cooper fired the ball into the side netting. A couple of minutes later and after receiving Kallum Cesay’s pass Tarrelle Whittaker passed the ball to Max Robson whose effort on goal was tipped over by Harvey Collins. Tarrelle Whittaker then shot wide after receiving Marqes Muir’s long pass. Spurs continued to attack and after Cirkin received Mundle’s pass the left back surged forward, he beat Reading’s Josh Hewitt before entering the penalty area. However, Cirkin’s eventual shot on goal was blocked by Jeriel Dorsett.

Marqes Muir cleared away Pedro Neves’ cross before Chay Cooper managed to win a free kick on the edge of the Reading box. However, Tarrelle Whittaker’s resulting effort was saved by Harvey Collins. After drifting inside from the right flank Pedro Neves forced a save out of Kacper Kurylowicz before the referee blew for half time. Spurs got the second half underway and they soon came close to extending their lead after Tarrelle Whittaker headed Dermi Lusala’s just wide of Harvey Collins’ goal. After running down the left flank Thierry Nevers had a deflected effort saved by Kurylowicz who shortly afterwards passed the ball to Augustus McGiff, who after receiving the ball was brought down in the box by Lusala resulting in a penalty for Reading. Josh Hewitt stepped up before slotting the ball into the left hand corner of the goal, 2-1. McGiff then had a shot blocked by Lusala on the edge of the Spurs box before Spurs made a double substitution as Matt Taylor brought off Romaine Mundle and Dermi Lusala for J’Neil Bennett and Harvey White. Reading drew level shortly afterwards, after Augustus McGiff passed the ball to Lynford Sackey down the right wing. Sackey cut the ball back to Nelson Abbey in the Spurs box and he slotted the ball past Kacper Kurylowicz, 2-2.

Dennis Cirkin cleared away Augustus McGiff’s free kick before McGiff blazed the ball over Kurylowicz’s crossbar. Reading substitute Alfie Anderson whipped the ball dangerously across the face of the Spurs goal before Bennett went on an excellent long run into the oppositions penalty area before passing to Cooper who blazed the ball over Collins’ crossbar. Yago Santiago came onto replace Rafferty Pedder before Harvey White first had a cross and then a free kick gathered by Harvey Collins. Max Robson had a shot on goal blocked by Aaron Skinner in the Reading box before Harvey White had a shot blocked by Josh Hewitt. J’Neil Bennett was taken off injured by Spurs as we were reduced to ten men before Reading netted a late winner. After Thierry Nevers had passed the ball to Augustus McGiff down the right side of the Spurs box McGiff had an effort parried by Kurylowicz before Nahum Melvin-Lambert fired home from close range. Nelson Abbey tested Kacper Kurylowicz from long range before the referee sounded the final whistle to bring an end to Spurs’ penultimate game of 2019.

My man of the match: Attacking left back Dennis Cirkin put in an excellent performance for our under 18’s on Saturday. Chipping in with a goal Cirkin had a very good game for Spurs both in attack and defence. The Dublin born fullback took his goal well and he defended solidly however, it was his many excellent and highly skilful slaloming runs down the left flank which impressed me the most. It was a performance that the second year scholar could be very proud of.

Spurs: Kurylowicz, Lusala (White 60), Cirkin (c), Cesay, Muir, Skinner, Cooper, Robson, Whittaker, Pedder (Santiago 77), Mundle (Bennett 60). Substitute (not used): Lo-Tutala.

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

Dennis Cirkin – 1

Assists

Chay Cooper – 5

Max Robson – 3

Tarrelle Whittaker – 3

Dermi Lusala –  3

Romaine Mundle – 3

Kion Etete – 2

Troy Parrott – 2

Rafferty Pedder – 2

Luis Binks – 1

Michael Craig – 1

Eddie Carrington – 1

Kallum Cesay – 1

Marqes Muir –  1

Enock Asante – 1

Yago Santiago – 1

Dennis Cirkin – 1

Harvey White – 1

J’Neil Bennett – 1

Clean sheets: 

Kacper Kurylowicz – 2

Joshua Oluwayemi – 1