Some notes on our under 23’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion: 

Our under 23’s returned to PL2 action on Monday night after a three week break, as Wayne Burnett’s side hosted Brighton & Hove Albion at the Lamex Stadium (I will return to writing full in-depth match reports for our next game). Spurs lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as Josh Oluwayemi started in goal. A back four consisting of Jubril Okedina, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Dennis Cirkin lined up in front of him. Harvey White and Tariq Hinds partnered up in central midfield while Rayan Clarke and Dilan Markanday operated out on the flanks, either side of CAM Phoenix Patterson. Summer signing Kion Etete led the line for Spurs. Monday’s game was an end to end one during the first half. The visitors took the lead in the seventh minute of the game after Peter Gwargis tapped home Ryan Longman’s cross, after the Brighton winger had broke forward down the right flank. Spurs then equalised through defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott who powerfully headed home Harvey White’s corner kick on 17 minutes. Chances came and went for both sides during the first half, while goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi made an important save to deny Jack Spong from regaining the lead for Brighton.

Brighton started the second half well and Warren O’Hora netted what was the winner less than a minute into the half. O’Hora connected with Ted Jenks’ corner to head Brighton back into the lead. This was a disappointing defeat for Spurs who did manage to play some good football during periods of the game, but they didn’t play the game at the same pace as the ‘ Seagulls ’ who were marginally better than us on the night.

Player reviews: 

• Josh Oluwayemi: The 18 year old shot stopper made two excellent saves on Monday night. His finger tip reflex save to deny Jack Spong’s powerful effort really was first class.
• Jubril Okedina: The right back stayed deep and defended well down his side of the pitch.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The RCB scored a good headed goal during the first half and he also defended well for Spurs, and was good in the air.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: My man of the match, see below.
• Dennis Cirkin: The 17 year old left back did get beaten for pace by Brighton’s Ryan Longman on a couple of occasions last night. However, he recovered well and he won the battle between the two players. Cirkin went on some slaloming forward runs.
• Harvey White: The LCM helped to keep things ticking in the middle of the park.
• Tariq Hinds: Operating in central midfield for this fixture, Hinds had a strong first half where he was alert and made some good interceptions.
• Rayan Clarke: The right winger went on some good forward runs during the first half.
• Phoenix Patterson: The CAM who later drifted out onto the left flank, was energetic and he made some intelligent runs.
• Dilan Markanday: The left winger had a strong first half when he went on some strong forward runs.
• Kion Etete: Despite not getting great service on the night, Etete worked hard and he made himself a handful for the Brighton defenders. Etete also held the ball up well. 
• Jeremie Mukendi: The second half substitute pressed well during his time on the pitch, he also had a shot blocked by a Brighton defender. It was great to see him back in action again after being out injured for over a year with a knee injury.

My man of the match: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster. Alert, composed and decisive in his all round play, the LCB was in my opinion our under 23’s best player on Monday night. I thought that Lyons-Foster really grew into the game and he got stronger as it progressed. The 19 year old worked hard to make sure that he got himself into good defensive positions, and he also made some delightful and positive long forward passes. The tall centre half also took one for the team in the second half when he needed to, and he also made several more  intelligent decisions to prevent the ‘ Seagulls ’ from winning by more. Lyons-Foster was also good in the air.

Spurs: Oluwayemi, Okedina, Cirkin, Hinds, Fagan-Walcott, Lyons-Foster, R Clarke (Mukendi 72), White (c), Etete, Patterson, Markanday. Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Statham, Skinner, Muir.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Keto, Davies, Cochrane (c), Crofts, O’Hora, Roberts, Yapi (Leahy 90+1), Jenks, Longman (Cashman 61), Spong, Gwargis. Substitutes (not used): Desbois, Freestone, Packham.

Goals: Spurs – Fagan-Walcott 17; Brighton – Gwargis 7, O’Hora 46.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Cirkin 48, Lyons-Foster 61.

Referee: Elliott Swallow.

Venue: Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

Attendance: 470.

Spurs under 23’s statistics: 

Goals: Armando Shashoua – 5

Harvey White – 3

Rodel Richards – 3

Jamie Bowden – 3

Troy Parrott – 2

Kazaiah Sterling – 2

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 2

Dilan Markanday – 2

Shilow Tracey – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Phoenix Patterson – 1

Elliot Thorpe – 1

Luis Binks – 1

Malachi Fagan-Walcott – 1

Assists: Shilow Tracey – 5

Dilan Markanday – 4

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 3

Armando Shashoua – 3

Rodel Richards – 2

Tariq Hinds – 2

Harvey White – 2

Jamie Bowden – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Kazaiah Sterling – 1

TJ Eyoma – 1

Maurizio Pochettino – 1

Clean sheets: Brandon Austin – 1

Josh Oluwayemi – 1