Spurs under 21’s 2-2 Luton town (4-2 to Luton after penalties) : (match report)

Wayne Burnetts development side (under 21) marked Spurs’ first ever involvement in the Checkatrade trophy, with a point away to league 2 side Luton town on Tuesday evening. Although Burnetts side put in a good and spirited performance, it was the home side who managed to get the extra point over Spurs, as the hatters defeated Spurs 4-2 on penalties to claim the bonus point on the night. It was the home side that attacked the away end in the first half which included 404 Spurs supporters, and it didn’t take long before the hatters made an impact on the game. Less than two minutes in to the game, Luton’s Elliot Lee almost opened the scoring for the league 2 side. Lee turned inside his man in the box, before trying to slot the ball in to the bottom corner of the net, but Austin got down quickly to make a sensational low save in the Spurs net. Luton were absolutely dominating play as Burnetts side struggled to deal with the league 2 club inside the first 15 minutes, it was a case of when not if they’d take the lead. Lee had another chance from a corner, when the ball fell to the former West Ham man who swiped his shot narrowly over Austin’s crossbar. We were unable to get the ball out of our own half, such was the dominance of Luton’s performance, I feared the youngsters would be getting a league two schooling at this point, they’d panicked in the early stages of the game. Then the the inevitable occurred on 19 minutes when the hatters took the lead through Maltese international Luke Gambin, the winger received the ball from the right side, he managed to wriggle away from the Spurs defence before slotting the ball into Austin’s far corner, 1-0.

However, just a couple of minutes later Burnetts side made an immediate impact, scoring level after a fine long range effort from the skipper. Pritchard who was advancing forward on goal, curled an effort from over 20 yards out which came off the post before rebounding back of James Shea and into the Luton net. After 15 minutes of being on the back foot, Spurs had managed to relax and find their bearings after equalising, they passed the ball around well and with confidence. Luton saw a free kick on the edge of the Spurs box fly narrowly ajar of the post, whilst Spurs created chances of their own as they began to take a hold of the game. Bennetts played a lovely through ball into Tracey with the outside of his boot, but the former Ebbsfleet man couldn’t get his shot away due to the sweeper keeping of Shea. Then Bennetts embarked on a breath taking run from his own area, as he surged past a couple of Luton players before skilfully taking the ball into the Luton box, his toe pocked effort coming off the right post. Though the young lilywhites had changed the flow of the game, they were still tested at the back. A mix up from a Luton corner seeing one of their players chest wide. Meanwhile Bennetts tested his luck at the other end, before Tracey’s powerful effort at goal was well thwarted by Shea.

The second half was a more balanced affair, Spurs were more stabilised as they continued to grow into the game as it progressed. And Burnetts side started the second half in the best possible way, when striker Ryan Loft fired them into the lead on 47 minutes. Will Miller embarked on a fruitful run from the centre of midfield, as he looked to release the ball through to Loft. The towering striker was composed as he entered the area, slotting home a classy finish to put us ahead. A slightly quieter second half pursued as he we looked to keep hold of our lead. The newly introduced Josh McQuoid had a golden opportunity for Nathan Jones side when he met Jack James cross, the former Bournemouth man nodding the ball inside the post to make it 2-2. Spurs had a decent chance of their own when Miller received the ball in a good position inside the hatters penalty area, Miller looked up at goal and curled his effort over the cross bar, leaving the forward pondering. Mcquoid almost won it for Luton late on when he received the ball inside a dangerous area, but Tanganga was there in a flash as he made a superb sliding challenge. Despite the late stage nerves, we could have wrapped up all three points in the dying stages of the game. Substitute Samuel Shashoua working his creative magic down the right before crossing the ball into Sterling who forced a comfortable save at Shea’s near post.

With a point secured, a penalty shoot out ensued to decided who would get the bonus point. Using the new ABBA format, Spurs ended up losing in a cruel way, Shashoua’s desperately unlucky opening penalty miss setting the tone for the rest of the shoot out which the hatters won 4-2. However, it was a really good opening result for the development side as they look to progress through their group. It was a spirited and battling performance against a top league two side, but Burnetts youngsters were resilient as they carved out what could prove to be a valuable point, they can be mighty proud of their performance in this unique experience in their development. COYS

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: Heavily involved, made many fine saves, including a remarkable reflex save in the first half.
– Jonathan Dinzeyi: Completing just over 50 minutes at the unfamiliar position of right back, the young centre back struggled a bit with the pace of the game down the flank.
– Christian Maghoma: Really impressive shift from the centre half, imposed himself well on the game. Made some important clearances, and was dominant up against the Luton forwards.
– Japhet Tanganga: As I’ve said many times before, him and Maghoma form a really strong defensive partnership. He was brilliant in the air and made some crucial interceptions. Made a magnificent challenge towards the latter point of the game.
– Keanan Bennetts: One of the star performers, Bennetts made a real impression on the game from left back. Made a huge contribution to the attack, with his pace and mazy runs.
– Oliver Skipp: Another excellent performance from the 16 year old, my motm for the second time in a week. Skipp was comfortable throughout the whole game, made incisive passes, and chased down the opposition. He was always looking for the ball, and was never afraid to get stuck in. Showed outstanding maturity.
– Joe Pritchard: The skipper had a real influence on the game, showed good leadership. Forced our equaliser with his effort on goal.
– Shilow Tracey: Didn’t make a massive impression on the game, but made some good runs down the right.
– Dylan Duncan: Created chances, prominent in the midfield, good range of passing.
– Will Miller: Created opportunities and pockets of space, assisted Loft’s goal.
– Ryan Loft: Lead the line the well, despatched his goal with real class.

My man of the match: Yet again it was 16 year old anchorman Oliver Skipp, was comfortable throughout the whole game, made some superb incisive passes, and chased down the opposition. He was always looking for the ball, and was never afraid to get stuck in, showed outstanding maturity for that of a 16 year old!

Luton Town: Shea, Justin (James 46), Senior, Cook, Mullins (c), Famewo, Gambin, Bakinson, Lee, Cornick (Read 77), Hylton (McQuoid 46). Substitutes (not used): Isted, Peck, Jones, Shamalo.

Spurs U21s: Austin, Dinzeyi (Eyoma 52), Bennetts, Skipp, C Maghoma, Tanganga, Tracey (S Shashoua 81), Pritchard (c), Loft (Sterling 77), Duncan, Miller. Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Roles.

Goals: Luton – Gambin 19, McQuoid 51; Spurs – Shea (OG) 21, Loft 47.

Yellow cards: Luton – Cook 90+2.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Attendance: 2,699.

Penalties: Luton – Lee – scored
Spurs – S Shashoua – hit post
Spurs – C Maghoma – scored
Luton – Cook – scored
Luton – McQuoid – scored
Spurs – Sterling – scored
Spurs – Bennetts – over the bar
Luton – Gambin – scored

Spurs under 23’s 1-2 Sunderland: (match report)

” I said to the players afterwards, yes, we were in control of the game but when you’ve got them in your clutches you need to finish them off but we didn’t quite do that, we were a little bit safe at times but we’ll learn from that.” (Wayne Burnett)

Our under 23’s first PL2 game of the season was one of bitter disappointment for Wayne Burnett’s side as they lost 2-1 to Sunderland at their Eppleton Colliery welfare ground, in the picturesque hills of County Durham. Spurs were for the vast majority of the game the better side, they bossed possession looked sharp both on and off the ball and could easily have scored three or four goals. Burnett’s side came up against a Sunderland team with half a dozen senior squad players involved. Our lads weren’t fazed by the numerous seasoned pros they came up against (Jack Rodwell, Djilobodji and Bryan Oviedo included) instead they took the game to the home side. We played the better football, looked the better team and above all else we looked assured and mature as a side. 16 year old Oliver Skipp putting in an exceptional display as he controlled the midfield, Tanganga and Maghoma coped very well against the Sunderland attack. And the creativity of Will Miller saw us create many a fine chance, but in the end it was the experience of the hosts who exposed the vulnerability of youth with in the key areas of midfield and defence, which saw the black cats pip us to victory late on. We controlled the opening proceedings of the game, dominating possession, with centre half Tanganga spraying around a wonderful range of passes from the back. Our first clear cut chance of the game seeing, Sterling enter the box before having his shot blocked by a last ditch challenge.

Minutes later another half chance presented itself for the lilywhites, winger Will Miller cutting inside on to his right foot on the edge of the area, before Ruiter got down to tip his curling effort away from danger. The home side then went close at the other end when Gooch (who played in Sunderland’s league cup game last night) curled an effort narrowly wide of Austin’s angle. Then soon afterwards the American youth international managed to get the wrong side of Maghoma in the Spurs penalty area as he advanced one on one with Austin, his low effort kept out by a fine save from Austin. Then on the half hour mark we created a fine chance of our own, starting with a tackle won by Skipp in the centre of the park. Skipp passed to Sterling who powered forward before playing the ball out wide, which eventually came across to Duncan on the edge of the box who dragged the ball wide of the post. Burnetts side continued to go on the offensive, left back Jaden Brown who had been so impressive in the first half, went on a surging run down the left wing as he advanced into the Sunderland penalty area, where despite being challenged Brown hit a low shot which dashed past the face of the goal. Spurs’ attacking prowess and incisive play was rewarded less then a minute later when striker Kazaiah Sterling put Spurs into the lead. Skipp powered a header forward to Sterling, after capitalising on the back of a poor Sunderland clearance. Sterling gave the Sunderland defender a clean set of heels before calmly slotting the ball past Ruiter and into the back of the net.

The 18 year old striker had the chance to double our lead on the stroke of half time, Sterling rounded Dutch goalkeeper Robin Ruiter just outside the box, but he didn’t end up going for goal as a Sunderland defender intercepted the ball. The home side came out for the second half looking the better of the two sides, Sunderland’s Andrew Nelson lashing the ball over Austin’s crossbar from the edge of the box, straight after the restart. Before Ethan Robson then tested the goalkeeper with a rasping free kick, Austin doing well to tip the ball over the bar. Sunderland’s revitalised second half performance was almost cancelled out on 65 minutes. When Will Miller’s well crafted free kick was superbly met by Tanganga, whose looping header cannoned against the underneath of the crossbar, it looked as if it was a certain goal. Our impressive attacking play down the flanks continued to threaten the home side, Pritchard’s pass to Tracey down the right, saw the powerful winger have a go at Ruiter’s inside post, Tracey’s effort was deflected into the side netting. Despite the many attacks we had on goal, the home side finally broke down our strong defence when Ethan Robson drew level for Elliott Dickman’s side on 70 minutes. Pritchard made a mistake in the centre of the park when his pass was intercepted by Robson. Who surged forward before firing a low effort from 20 yards out, which flew into the bottom corner of Austin’s goal, 1-1.

What seemed a fierce clash of heads involving Oliver Skipp, saw the midfielder fall to the floor but the youngster dusted himself down and got up to shake it away. This signified his character throughout the game. We continued to go in search of reestablishing our lead, the newly introduced Marcus Edwards embarking on a mazy run into the penalty area when he was brought down by a Sunderland defender, in what could well have been given as a penalty. We looked in search of that winner but it wasn’t to come, Burnett’s side being dealt a cruel blow in stoppage time. When substitute Denver Hume got a late winner for the home side, after Hume managed to get the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box, before rifling a low effort at goal which left Austin helpless as it nestled into the bottom right hand corner of his net. Despite a good effort at goal from Ryan Loft late on, we succumbed to a cruel 2-1 defeat in County Durham. But results aside, Burnett’s team played really well and that’s what they can take away from this season opener. COYS

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: Good performance from Austin, who made a string of fine saves, also dealt well with crosses.
– TJ Eyoma: Prominent down the right side, done well going forward and getting back to defend.
– Christian Maghoma: Typically tenacious performance from Maghoma at centre half, linked up well with Tanganga. Made some important interceptions and won a host of aerial duels.
– Japhet Tanganga: Really impressive showing from the 18 year old centre half. Superb in the air and in his challenges, whilst also demonstrating a wonderful range of passes.
– Jaden Brown: Classy shift from the fast left back, was a real offensive threat. Whilst also being defensively sound.
– Oliver Skipp: Exceptional performance from the 16 year old, he controlled the midfield, broke up play successfully, was confident and assured both on and off the ball. Made a string of top passes, whilst also going on to assist Sterling for his goal.
– Dylan Duncan: Tidy and creative performance from the promising midfielder.
– Joe Pritchard: Good performance from the attacking midfielder who constantly looked for pockets of space, whilst also showing good vision in his passing. Unlucky to give the ball away to Robson who went on to equalise.
– Will Miller: An experienced player in the side, Miller had a fruitful game. The nimble footed forward going on to be the main source of creativity.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Opened up his account for the season with goal, pressed really well and had a good game.
– Shilow Tracey: Made a good impact on the game down the right side.
– Keanan Bennetts: Impressed down the left side when coming on, went on a couple of good runs.
– Marcus Edwards: Impressive cameo, showed nice skill and awareness.
– Ryan Loft: Made a good impact up front in his short time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Oliver Skipp. Exceptional performance from the 16 year old, he controlled the midfield, broke up play successfully, was confident and assured both on and off the ball. Made a string of top passes, whilst also going on to assist Sterling for his goal. Skipp looked light years ahead of his age, I can’t sing his praises highly enough.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Love, Oviedo (Hume 61), Embleton, Beadling, Djilobodji, Nelson, E Robson, Gooch (Molyneux 46), Rodwell (Bale 61), Diamond. Substitutes (not used): Stryjek (GK), Ledger.

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Brown, Skipp, C Maghoma, Tanganga, Tracey (Edwards 74), Duncan, Sterling (Loft 74), Pritchard (c), Miller (Bennetts 66). Substitutes (not used): O’Reilly (GK), S Shashoua.

Goals: Sunderland – Robson 70, Hume 89; Spurs – Sterling 35.

Yellow cards: Sunderland – Love 75; Spurs – Maghoma 38, Eyoma 81.

Referee: Mr G Hart.

Attendance: 394.