Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Leicester: (match report)

Our under 23’s were defeated 4-1 by Leicester city at White Hart Lane on Thursday evening, in what was their penultimate game of the PL2 season. It was a very tough game for our development squad on an emotional and physical level, against a strong Leicester city outfit. It was their first game since the tragic death of head coach Ugo Ehiogu, players and supporters took part in a poignant minutes applause ahead of kick off. Leicester city needed a win if they were to stand any chance of avoiding the drop, and Steve Beaglehole played a strong team which included players that had been involved in first team action for the foxes, with Poland international Bartosz Kapustka and Ben Hamer both starting. The game started with a flurry of chances for both sides, with Glover and Hamer both being forced into making some key saves. Kapustka had a really good chance for the visitors on 11 minutes when he received the ball inside the area, but his effort from close range was superbly blocked by a line of Spurs defenders. Tom Glover made an exceptional diving save to deny Harvey Barnes close range effort at his near post shortly afterwards. Openings were hard to come by for Spurs and their lack of creativity was punished on 23 minutes when Leicester took the lead through Harvey Barnes. The in swinging corner was missed by Glover with the ball falling to Barnes to flick in to an empty net, 1-0 Leicester. We went close to forcing an equaliser six minutes later, when Tracey who was one on one with Hamer had his effort well smothered by the 29 year old. We were on the back foot for the remainder of the first half, with Beaglehole’s side looking for their second. Leicester continued to create chances and tested Glover with some fine efforts.

The first half an hour of the second half was pretty uneventful with barely any clear cut chances for either side bar a testing effort from Shashoua which had Hamer down at his near post to thwart the effort. However, it was the visitors who doubled their advantage on 76 minutes when Josh Gordon netted for the foxes, Gordon had acres of space and time on the left side of the box before comfortably slotting the ball past Glover to effectively end the game. Things went from bad to worse a couple of minutes later, when Spurs goalkeeper Tom Glover was sent off. Barnes was through on goal with only Glover to beat when the forward attempted to lob Glover from outside the box, but the Australian was instinctive and in a moment of spontaneity he blocked his effort with his hands, the referee had no other choice but to send Glover on his way. Substitute goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman could do nothing about Barnes’ resulting free kick which he curled delightfully over the wall and into the back of the net from the edge of the area. Spurs’ defeat was complete seven minutes later, when Gordon netted his second of the game. Wood’s fine pass was calmly directed into the back of Whiteman’s net by the striker to put the foxes 4-0 ahead. However, just two minutes later we clawed back a consolation goal through Marcus Edwards, after the England youth international danced his way into the box with a lovely piece of skill before being fouled by Choudhury. Edwards stepped up to convert his penalty emphatically into the roof of the net, the final score Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Leicester.

The result from last nights match didn’t matter, it was a highly emotional game and the lads done their best against a strong and well structured Leicester side. Coach Matt Wells said the following: “Obviously we’re very disappointed, not only with the scoreline but also with something we tried to concentrate on before the game in terms of delivering a performance that fitted the occasion. There was a real drive and willingness among the players and staff to make the evening special and a fitting tribute to Ugo.” COYS

Player review:
– Tom Glover: Made a couple of really good saves during the first half, his sending off was an instinctive hand ball, you couldn’t really fault Glover for his intervention.
– Japhet Tanganga: Adapted well to the unfamiliar position of right back.
– Christian Maghoma: Excellent as always aerially, was decent at the back in what was a very busy night for the young centre half.
– Filip Lesniak: Made some good challenges in what was a hardworking but tough performance.
– Jaden Brown: I was impressed once again with Brown, he was defensively solid at left back and is adapting really well to under 23 football.
– Luke Amos: Tenacious performance from Amos who has just returned from a loan spell with Southend. Amos made some crunching tackles and was tidy and efficient throughout the game.
– Cy Goddard: Had yet another good game in the centre of the park, showed good feet and made some nice passes.
– Shilow Tracey: Worked his socks off, Tracey constantly looked for pockets of space and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.
– Marcus Edwards: The source of Spurs’ creativity, a very good performance from a very good young player.
– Keanan Bennetts: Had some good moments down the right, caused problems for Wood with his searing pace.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Sterling worked hard but was never really involved in the game due to the lack of chances Spurs created.
– Samuel Shashoua: Fresh from his stunning performance for the under 18’s last Saturday. Shashoua came off the bench to make a good impact on the game during the second half, every time he got the ball he was looking to create or go forward, he also tested Hamer with a good effort from a tight angle.

My man of the match: Marcus Edwards was without doubt Spurs’ most influential player, Edwards was the bright spark in a team that was lacking creatively. Edwards embarked on a series of skilful runs and he got his rewards late on, after winning a penalty before firing it home from the spot.

Spurs: Glover, Tanganga, Brown, Amos, Maghoma, Lesniak (c), Bennetts (Marsh 82), Goddard (Shashoua 58), Tracey, Edwards, Sterling (Whiteman 79). Substitute (not used): Roles.

Leicester City: Hamer, Johnson, Wood, Hammond (Uche Rubio 80), Moore (c), Knight, Kapustka (Kaba Sherif 54), Choudhury, Gordon, Barnes, Martis (Watts 67). Substitutes (not used): Pascanu, Iversen (GK).

Goals: Spurs – Edwards 89 (pen); Leicester – Barnes 23, 80, Gordon 76, 87.

Yellow card: Spurs – Maghoma 74.

Red card: Spurs – Glover 78.

Referee: Dean Treleaven.

Attendance: 2,226.

Spurs under 18’s 5-2 Fulham: (match report)

“We played some really good football, we were high-energy and I thought we looked like we had some really good players.” (John McDermott)

Our under 18’s were in fine form this morning, as they thrashed fellow London club Fulham 5-2 in a thrilling game at Hotspur way. There was an emotional and respectful minutes silence before today’s game in tribute to Ugo Ehiogu who tragically passed away last week. I was treated to some breathtaking football this morning, McDermott’s highly attacking side brutally exposing Fulham’s defensive vulnerabilities putting in an exceptional offensive display. It was a game in which the Lillywhites produced chance after chance, McDermott’s side were so creative and sharp, on another day they could have ran out 7-0 winners! McDermott’s side were astute, playing down the wings through the highly effective duo of Keanan Bennetts and Samuel Shashoua. Spurs started the game well and it didn’t take them long to find their usual attacking rhythm, on 13 minutes Kazaiah Sterling forced a fine save out of Fulham goalkeeper Ashby-Hammond, with the rebound falling for Jack Roles who drilled an effort against the post. We came close again moments later, when Jaden Brown’s clever cross came to Sterling inside the box, his first time effort producing another fine save from the Fulham goalkeeper, before the ball was thwarted into the path of Bennetts, the goal was gaping at his mercy but he blasted over from just a couple of yards out, no one including himself could quite believe it. We continued to threaten Fulham’s defence, McDermott’s team were creating numerous chances and it was only a matter of time before they eventually took the lead. Roles showed great technique to rifle an effort narrowly over the crossbar before Sterling and Skipp saw their chances go close.

Spurs’ dominance was finally rewarded on 35 minutes when Jack Roles broke the deadlock for the Lillywhites. Sterling played a big part in the goal, the forward cutting inside his man before laying the ball off to Roles who made no mistake from close range burying the ball into the back of the net, 1-0. Our attacking superiority over the cottagers was growing, and just nine minutes later the youngster doubled their advantage with a well worked goal. Winger Keanan Bennetts who had been potent throughout the game, surged forward before finding Shashoua inside the box. The nimble footed winger turning on to his left foot before slotting the ball home, 2-0 to Spurs! Shortly after the interval Spurs resumed their attacking ways, Shashoua forcing Ashby-Hammond into making a brilliant reflex save as he clawed away Shashoua’s effort with a strong hand. However, we allowed Fulham a route back into the game on 52 minutes when Skipp brought York to the floor, Nwietniewski’s resulting effort converted to make the scores 2-1. However, McDermott’s side made an instant response from the kick off, Shashoua playing a one two with Roles before sending a delightful chip into the back of the net, simply sublime stuff! The lads were playing some scintillating football and were constantly striving for that next goal. And it didn’t take long before goal number 4 came along, anchor man Oliver Skipp picking out Keanan Bennetts with a delightful lofted pass, racing through on goal the winger was clinical as he calmly slotted home, 4-1 to Spurs!

Our lead became even greater 10 minutes from time, when Kazaiah Sterling deservedly got his first goal of the game to put us 5-1 ahead. Bennetts played Sterling in with a lovely cross from the right, and Sterling made no mistake as he poached the ball home, 5-1. Our defence temporarily went to sleep late on, at which point Harris had gotten through on goal to hammer home a consolation goal for the cottagers. The final score Spurs 5-2 Fulham, McDermott’s side treated the spectators to a wonderful attacking display, they outplayed Fulham in every way, their intensity overwhelmed Steve Wrigley’s side. Our under 18’s can hold their heads high after this superb performance which comes at a very difficult time for our academy.
Player review: – Alfie Whiteman: Done well when called into action, good in the air and made some fine saves,
– Tariq Hinds: Another impressive performance from the right back, very creative going forward and solid defensively.
– Jaden Brown: Defensively solid, read the game well.
– Oliver Skipp: Anchor man in the midfield set up Bennetts goal with a lovely assist.
– George Marsh: Fine performance from the captain done well to constantly snuff out danger.
– Japhet Tanganga: Dominant game from Tanganga, the centre half won everything in the air and linked up well with Marsh at the back. Also impressed me with his passing.
– Samuel Shashoua: Another vintage performance from my man of the match, see below.
– Dylan Duncan: One of our best players, was very creative with a lovely range of passing.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Worked incredibly hard throughout and got a much deserved goal.
– Jack Roles: Constantly managed to find openings, his goal today his 18th of the domestic season.
– Keanan Bennetts: Made a significant contribution to the game with his goal and two assists, pacy and powerful Bennetts terrorised the Fulham fullbacks, a top performance from the 18 year old.
My man of the match: Not for the first time this season it goes to Samuel Shashoua, the England youth international bagged a stunning brace and proved to be the most effective player in a game where many players shone. Shashoua’s trademark flare and dizzying skills gave the Fulham defence a nightmare of a time. I can’t sing this talented players praises high enough!

Spurs U18s: Whiteman, Hinds (Lock 76), Brown, Skipp (Omolabi 70), Marsh (c), Tanganga, Shashoua, Duncan, Sterling, Roles (Patterson 58), Bennetts. Substitute (not used): Freeman (GK).