Spurs’ Development side played their second group game of this seasons Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night, when they faced League One side Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium. Wayne Burnett’s side played well against Cambridge United, and they probably created the better chances. However, Sam Smith’s goal in the 72nd minute of the game won it for Cambridge. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Matthew Craig, Marqes Muir, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay started in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Harvey White started in central midfield, and Dilan Markanday and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Alfie Devine led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a cool evening, but it was Cambridge who had the first real chance of the game. A long ball over the top of the Spurs defence resulted in Jack Lankester being able to get inside the Spurs box, with the ball, but Oluwayemi came close to the Cambridge player, made himself big and made the save, before the ball was put out of play. Oluwayemi then gathered a low cross from George Williams on the right flank before Spurs managed their first effort on target of the game. Devine passed the ball to Harvey White on the edge of the Cambridge penalty area, and he tried his luck with a powerful and awkward effort for the goalkeeper to deal with. Kai McKenzie-Lyle did manage to save the Spurs midfielder’s effort though.

After receiving the ball and turning with it Dilan Markanday brought the ball forward at pace. He then passed the ball to Devine inside the Cambridge box, but the second year scholars effort on goal was saved. Matthew Craig blocked Ben Worman’s effort well on the edge of the Spurs box, and then a couple of moments later George Williams saw his deflected effort tipped behind by Oluwayemi. After connecting with Ben Worman’s corner kick Lloyd Jones saw his headed effort blocked, before then hitting the ball over the Spurs goal. Devine then had a low effort saved by McKenzie-Lyle, before Markanday had an effort blocked after going on a good run forward. Spurs were playing well and after Harvey White found Dilan Markanday in a good position on the right flank the very skilful Spurs winger showed great skill to enter the Cambridge box, but he didn’t connect with the ball how he would of hoped, and his effort went across the face of the goal and wide. Alfie Devine then had an effort blocked, and then a couple of minutes later he had a headed effort saved from a Matthew Craig cross. Oluwayemi was shown a yellow card for an off the ball incident just before half-time, and then Sam Smith hit an effort across the Spurs goal, before Jensen Weir then hit it over, in what turned out to be the last effort of the first half. 

Cambridge United got the second half underway. After receiving Nile John’s pass inside the Cambridge box Alfie Devine hit the ball over the goal. After showing some great skill inside the Cambridge penalty area Dilan Markanday then had an effort blocked, before the ball then came to John, who also had an effort blocked. Matthew Craig blocked behind an effort at the other end, before Dilan Markanday hit an effort wide from the edge of the Cambridge box. Oluwayemi did well to save an effort from the edge of the Spurs box a couple of minutes later, before out of nothing Markanday created a great chance. After receiving the ball around the halfway line he brought the ball forward at pace, showing great skill to enter the Cambridge box. He eventually had an effort blocked, but the ball then came to a Jack Clarke, who curled his effort wide of the goal. Marqes Muir then did well to stop a promising Cambridge move. Spurs captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster was replaced by Yago Santiago, who took up the centre-forwards position. Despite Spurs’ excellent defensive work throughout the game, they conceded what turned out to be the Cambridge winner in the 72nd minute of the match. A cross from the left flank was met by Jack Lankester inside the Spurs, and his volleyed effort was headed past Oluwayemi by Sam Smith, 0-1.

A Cambridge United forward then curled over an effort from the edge of the Spurs box, before Nile John had an effort saved by McKenzie-Lyle inside the Spurs box, after receiving Markanday’s pass. Spurs then had an excellent late chance, as Alfie Devine hit Jack Clarke’s cross into the side netting of the Cambridge goal at the back post from close range, leaving him clearly very disappointed. Kallum Cesay replaced Michael Craig for the final minutes of the game, as it finished 1-0 to the home side. Spurs’ next game at this level is at home to Derby County in the Premier League 2, on Monday.

Player reviews: 

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper did well against Cambridge United. Oluwayemi was particularly impressive in how he dealt with crosses.
• Matthew Craig: Despite playing out of position this was a very good performance at right back from Matthew Craig. The 18 year old defended really well down his side of the pitch and made some really good tackles. Craig also kept very good positioning throughout the match.
• Marqes Muir: Keeping good positioning and defending well alongside Tobi Omole in central-defence, Marqes Muir put in another solid performance for Spurs.
• Tobi Omole: The more experienced of the two central defenders, Tobi Omole and Marqes Muir complimented each other well in defence, and like Marqes Muir I thought that Tobi had a good game.
• Kallum Cesay: Bringing the ball forward well down the left flank and getting into good forward positions, the full-back showed some good quality on the ball.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Playing the game at a good intensity in central midfield, Spurs captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster made some good passes along with Harvey White early on in the game. Lyons-Foster kept good positioning, as always, and also made some good interceptions.
• Harvey White: The midfielder impressed with his passing and positioning, and once again playing further forward in midfield allowed him to get on the ball a lot more, and also to try and create chances as well.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below. 
• Nile John: Playing as the CAM for Spurs, midfielder Nile John made some good runs into the Cambridge box and showed good skill on the ball.
• Jack Clarke: Playing on the left flank for this match, Jack Clarke looked to get on the ball whenever he could, and he also worked hard off it as well.
• Alfie Devine: Making some clever runs off the ball, Alfie Devine was unlucky not to have scored a couple of goals on Tuesday. His movement was good, and he would often drop deep to get on the ball to try and make things happen.
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute came on to play as the centre-forward for Spurs.
• Michael Craig: The late substitute came on and played in midfield. 

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. The winger went on many excellent runs forward with the ball from the right flank, and he was without doubt Spurs’ most creative player against Cambridge United. Markanday showed some fantastic skill on the ball, worked hard off it and deserved a goal for the quality of his performance. The 20 year old seems to be getting better and better by each game that he plays. He has been outstanding so far this season.