To bring an end to their pre-season training trip to Cork in Ireland, Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Cork City’s Under 19 side at their Bishopstown training ground on Friday afternoon, in a pre-season friendly match. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side lost the game 1-0, against an impressive Cork side, who defended well and worked very well of the ball. Starting in goal for Spurs was Elliot Krasniqi, with Leo Black, James Rowswell, Kieran Morgan and Maeson King starting in defence for Spurs. Tyrese Hall and Callum Olusesi were the two central midfielders, with Yusuf Akhamrich and Oliver Irow starting the game out on the flanks, either side of CAM Mikey Moore. Captain Damola Ajayi started in the centre-forward position for Spurs, who got the game underway. Early on in the match Yusuf Akhamrich had a deflected effort on goal blocked inside the Cork penalty area. The early stages of the match were quite even, with both sides going forward well with the ball. After the impressive Alex Kelliher had won the ball, the Cork City midfielder then hit an effort over from the edge of the Spurs box, just before Josh Fitzpatrick went past Maeson King with the ball, before going in to the right side of the Spurs penalty area. His powerful resulting effort on goal from a difficult angle was well tipped on to his near post by Elliot Krasniqi. 

Cork City took the lead on 12 minutes through Alex Kelliher. It was a fine move which had started with Oran Crowe’s lay off, before Maeson King had blocked a good effort on goal. However, the ball then came to Alex Kelliher in the centre of the Spurs penalty area, and his low first time effort went past Elliot Krasniqi to give Cork an early lead. Spurs tried to respond quickly, and after Oliver Irow had whipped a good cross in to the centre of the Cork penalty area, Yusuf Akhamrich seemed to miss the ball as he tried to head it towards goal from close range, with the ball then going wide of the goal. Mikey Moore then had a free-kick effort cleared at an important moment inside the Cork box, before James Rowswell made an important challenge at the other end of the pitch, on the edge of the Spurs penalty area. A good forward run to the right side of the Spurs penalty area resulted in Josh Fitzpatrick having an effort on goal deflected narrowly over. Then a couple of minutes later and after Callum Olusesi had won a free-kick on the edge of the Cork City box, Yusuf Akhamrich had an effort blocked. Kieran Morgan’s good lofted pass to Mikey Moore on the left side of the Cork penalty area saw the Spurs midfielder try to score a goal with a first time effort. However, his effort was well saved by the impressive Daniel Moynihan.

After going inside from the left flank with the ball, Damola Ajayi had a deflected effort saved. Shortly after, a good Spurs move which saw Yusuf Akhamrich pass to Mikey Moore inside the Cork box, resulted in Mikey Moore giving the ball to Callum Olusesi, whose resulting effort was pushed behind well by Daniel Moynihan. Damola Ajayi then had a headed effort well saved from the Cork City goalkeeper from close range, from the following corner-kick. Spurs were finishing the first half well, but after Callum Olusesi’s low, curling effort from the edge of the Cork box was well pushed away by Daniel Moynihan, Cork City came very close to extending their lead. A header from James Rowswell from a long ball over the top of the Spurs defence, ended up going towards Harvey Skieters, who took the ball towards the edge of the Spurs penalty area, at pace. However, the Cork forward’s low effort was well saved by Elliot Krasniqi, who had closed down his angles well. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time, shortly after. Carey Bloedorn had replaced Elliot Krasniqi in goal for Spurs, for the beginning of the second half. Cork City got the second half underway.

Patryk Swieczka Andrzejczak hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance, before  an effort on the Cork goal from the edge of their penalty area by Tyrese Hall, was deflected behind for a corner-kick. After Harvey Skieters had won the ball he had passed it to AJ Bowman near the Spurs penalty area, but his low effort was held by Carey Bloedorn. Spurs then made a number of changes, as Herbie James, Theo Adelusi, Pele Arganese-McDermott, Timileyin Adekunle, Ellis Lehane and Calum Logan all replaced Spurs players Leo Black, Maeson King, James Rowswell, Yusuf Akhamrich, Callum Olusesi and Mikey Moore. Recent Spurs signing Calum Logan blocked an effort from Arran Healy on the edge of the Spurs box, before Theo Adelusi made a good and important challenge on the same player, a couple of minutes later. A lofted effort from Noah Sowinski was pushed behind by Carey Bloedorn, before at the other of the end of the pitch, Tyrese Hall had entered the right side of the Cork City box, curling an effort wide of the goal. Yusuf Akhamrich and Dante Orr replaced Oliver Irow and Kieran Morgan, as Spurs continued to search for an equaliser.

Centre-forward Ellis Lehane received a yellow card, before James Rowswell replaced Tyrese Hall, before Maeson King replaced Spurs’ captain Damola Ajayi. A deflected effort on goal from Herbie James was saved, with a good run from Yusuf Akhamrich towards the Cork City penalty area then being saved. The referee brought the game to an end a couple of minutes later. 

Player reviews:

• Elliot Krasniqi: The Spurs goalkeeper and second year scholar made two good and impressive saves from close range, during his time on the pitch. He only completed the first half of the game for Spurs.
• Leo Black: The midfielder started the game at right-back, and I thought that the second year scholar did well in that position, getting forward well with the ball.
• James Rowswell: Playing in central defence, James Rowswell made some good decisions in defence, and he had quite a bit of defending to do against Cork City. 
• Kieran Morgan: The second year scholar started the game on the left side of central defence before later moving in to central midfield. Morgan was good on the ball, and he liked to step out of defence with it. His passing was good on the day. 
• Maeson King: The Spurs left-back had quite a lot of defending to do on his side of the pitch, while playing at left-back. King did make an impressive block during the first half, and he did like to get forward on the pitch.
• Tyrese Hall: Starting the match as the most defensive of the Spurs midfielders, Tyrese Hall looked to get on the ball and make things happen. He went on some good and skilful runs forward with the ball. I personally think that the Cork City midfielders and defenders would have been told just how good a player Tyrese is, as he was closely followed on the pitch and not given much time on the ball, during his time on the pitch. However, I thought that he had some good moments in the game.
• Callum Olusesi: The central midfielder managed a couple of goal attempts, and he worked hard in central midfield.
• Yusuf Akhamrich: Starting the game on the right flank as a winger, Yusuf Akhamrich moved positions on a number of occasions. However, he worked hard for Spurs, tracked back well and was always very direct with the ball.
• Mikey Moore: My Spurs player of the match, see below.
• Oliver Irow: The player who started the match on the left flank would switch sides during the match, with Yusuf Akhamrich. Oliver was unlucky not to have provided an assist, after setting-up a good chance for Yusuf Akhamrich to score from.
• Damola Ajayi: The Spurs captain and centre-forward worked hard when he was leading the line for Spurs. Damola’s movement off the ball was good.
• Carey Bloedorn: The Spurs goalkeeper who came on for the second half of the match, made a couple of saves during his time on the pitch.
• Herbie James: A recent signing from Manchester City’s Academy set-up, Herbie James played most of the second half on the left flank, as a winger.
• Theo Adelusi: The right sided central defender was good on the ball and he made one important defensive intervention, after being substituted on during the second half. 
• Pele Arganese-McDermott: The second half substitute played on the left side of central defence during his time on the pitch.
• Timileyin Adekunle: The second half substitute and first year scholar played at right-back.
• Ellis Lehane: The centre-forward did well at leading the line after being substituted on. Ellis dropped deep on many occasions to receive the ball, and he showed good skill with it.
• Calum Logan: The former Ipswich Town Academy player went to left-back after being substituted on, in the second half.
• Dante Orr: The late second half substitute went in to midfield during his time on the pitch.

My Spurs player of the match – Mikey Moore. Impressing with his close control of the ball and ability to go on some clever and skilful forward runs, the first year scholar completed 61 minutes of the friendly match with Cork City. Mikey started the game in the CAM position for Spurs, although he switched positions on occasions, during his time on the pitch. Mikey had some good moments in the game, was very clever with the ball and he came quite close to scoring a goal during the first half. He also took up some good positions on the pitch, from which he looked to receive the ball.