Spurs under 23’s 2-2 Manchester City: (match report)

Our under 23’s fought back from two goals down, as they drew 2-2 with Manchester City on Friday evening. It was a thoroughly entertaining match as Ugo Ehiogu’s side showed great character as they came away with a valuable point in Manchester, playing some really attractive football in the process. The game started off with a sense of cautiousness from both sides, as they passed the ball around the park without any real attacking intent. Winger Nathan Oduwa had a half chance for Spurs in the 17th minute, after a nice bit of play Oduwa skilfully cut inside on the edge of the box, before firing a low effort against the side netting. The game was very even as Spurs managed to contain City well, but on 27 minutes Paolo Fernandes went close for the home side. Fernandes powerful shot in the area stung the palms of Tom Glover, who thwarted the Spaniards effort. However, not long afterwards Spurs began to cause Man City’s defence problems, as they passed the ball around nicely. And on 33 minutes Spurs were unlucky not to take the lead through Shilow Tracey. Owens passed the ball to Walker-Peters on the right and the England under 20 international sent a lovely pass to Tracey in the penalty area, Tracey struck it first time forcing a fine save out of Angus Gunn.

Moments later Tracey came close again, Harrison finding Tracey in the penalty area with a nice cross, and the former Ebbsfleet man met the cross well, side footing an effort against the post, with the rebound being lashed over the crossbar by Joe Pritchard. The match was becoming really live with Spurs looking the slightly better side, though goalkeeper Tom Glover was forced into action right on half time, after Jaden Sancho danced his way into the box, jinking past some Spurs defenders, before cutting in on his right and unleashing a powerful low shot, which Glover got down well to save. The first 45 was level pegging, Spurs played well creating some good chances from the flanks. The second half started in disastrous fashion for Spurs after they were caught cold in their own half, and the City attack punished us. Following a slight error from Maghoma after his misplaced pass came to Buckley-Ricketts who burst forward into the box, unleashing a powerful shot which Glover stopped excellently, the ball came out out to Sancho and the 16 year old made no mistake, poking the ball home, 1-0 to City. Things got even worse for Ehiogu’s side, as just over ten minutes later the home side doubled their lead after Paolo Fernandes doubled the citizens advantage with a stunning goal. Fernandes’s cut in on his left after receiving the ball from a short corner and the Spain under 17’s international let fly as the ball flew past the stunned Spurs goalkeeper, and into the top corner, 2-0 Man City.

Ehiogu’s side may have looked depleted but they didn’t show it in the minutes that followed. Spurs created some fine chances most notably a nice turn from Stylianides as he burst through on goal only to see his effort stopped by Gunn. And Spurs’s hard work was starting to pay off when they got a goal back through Nathan Oduwa on 76 minutes. Shilow Tracey sent in a wonderful cross from the right which was met by Oduwa, as he sidefooted the ball home with a volley, at the back post. Spurs went from strength to strength, coming close to snatching a late equaliser from a double chance which saw Harrison and Stylianides come close. That late equaliser did come four minutes from time, after Oduwa weaved away from his man on the left, the Nigerian youth international whipped the ball into the area as Harrison made contact with the ball, and the ball eventually came to Tracey who converted from close range to secure an important draw for Ehiogu’s side. The final score Spurs 2-2 Manchester City, it was a truly exhilarating game of football and I was delighted that the team got something out of the game after such a good performance. Also I’d like to say well done to Manchester City who broadcasted the game live on Facebook allowing some of us Spurs fans to watch the game.

Nathan Oduwa was my man of the match (see below) but another player who had a brilliant game was Shilow Tracey, the powerful right winger set up Oduwa with a delightful cross and Tracey also scored the equaliser late on, Friday nights goal was his third of the season. Finally I thought that midfielder Zenon Stylianides had a big influence on the game after coming on in the second half, the midfielder played a more attacking role against city and he really impressed me. Stylianides was bright and creative he was constantly looking to go forward and he set up Harrison with a nice pass as well and his fine solo effort late in the match was unfortunate not to end in a goal. At the end of the day everyone played well, the defence was resilient, Glover made some fine saves between the sticks, and the midfield was tenacious. COYS

My man of the match: This was a hard one, it was close between Tracey and Oduwa but I’m going to give it to Nathan Oduwa. The winger seems rejuvenated since returning from his loan at Peterborough, he was good last week against Chelsea but he was even better today. Oduwa worked so hard down the left flank and was as skilful as ever, Oduwa never fails to surprise, me his such an entertaining and creative player, his a magician on the ball. Oduwa was by the far the most creative player on the field his powerful runs, trickery and endeavour were rewarded with a goal and an assist. Another top performance from Oduwa.

Manchester City: Gunn, Oliver, Humphreys (c), Adarabioyo, Francis, Diallo, Duhaney, Boadu (Kongolo 67), Buckley-Ricketts (Diaz 78), Fernandes, Sancho (Nmecha 61). Substitutes (not used): Patching, Haug (GK).

Spurs: Glover, Walker-Peters, Ogilvie, Amos (c), Maghoma, Walkes, Pritchard (Stylianides 65), Owens (Muscatt 65), Harrison, Tracey, Oduwa. Substitutes (not used): Goddard, McDermott (GK).

Goals: Manchester City – Sancho 47, Fernandes 58; Spurs – Oduwa 76, Tracey 86.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Walker-Peters 90+4.

Referee: Martin Coy.

Spurs under 18’s 4-1 QPR – FA Youth cup: (match report)

It was a wonderful night at Loftus road on Tuesday, as our under 18’s thrashed QPR 4-1 in the fourth round of the FA Youth cup, with john McDermott’s side being rewarded with a home tie against Norwich in round five. The gulf in class between the two sides was plain to see, as McDermott’s side dominated the match playing some superb football in the process. Our youngsters were cheered on by over 200 travelling Spurs fans, who were in fine voice for the entirety of the match. The vibrant atmosphere seemed to spur the youngsters on, and they started the game brightly as forward Reo Griffiths flashed a shot narrowly wide of the left post on six minutes. The Rs goalkeeper Marcin Brzozwkski made two fine saves in the space of six minutes, first when Roles received a fine pass by Shashoua in the box before seeing his effort denied well from six yards out by the QPR goalkeeper. Then a couple of minutes later TJ Eyoma whipped in a cross from the right ring, which was met well by Griffiths at the far post, the forwards header was tipped over the crossbar from the alert Brzozwkski. Spurs’s free flowing football saw the home side struggle in the minutes that followed, and Spurs’s near total domination on the game was rewarded in the 24th minute, when McDermott’s side took a deserved lead. Kazaiah Sterling eased past a hoops defender before releasing the ball to the free Jack Roles inside the penalty area, Roles curled an effort beyond Brzozwkski and despite a touch from the keeper the ball flew into the bottom corner of the net, 1-0 to Spurs.

Sterling raced into the box on 36 minutes before dinking the ball over Brzozwkski and narrowly wide of the right post. However, just a minute later Spurs doubled their advantage through Reo Griffiths. Sterling’s well measured pass from the right side of the box came to Griffiths at the far post, and the forward buried the ball in to the back of the net, to cap off a nice move. Despite barely entering the Spurs half, QPR pulled a goal back shortly before the interval through the Rs Kingsley Eshun. The goal came about after George Marsh lost the ball in the midfield with Eshun charging down the left wing, with the sprinting Japhet Tanganga unable to reach Eshun as he fired the ball past Austin as it flew inside his near post. Spurs resumed the second half in superb fashion as they grabbed a third almost instantaneously from the restart, after some good work on the right wing, Samuel Shashoua fed the ball to Roles inside the centre of the penalty area, and the goalscoring midfielder was as clinical as ever as he fired the ball beyond Brzozwkski and into the back of the net, to put Spurs 3-1 ahead. We continued to command the game during the rest of the second half playing some wonderful attacking football, and on 74 minutes Spurs got their fourth of the match. Left back Nick Tsaroulla tried his luck on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected off the Rs defender and straight in front of George Marsh. As the midfielder headed the ball into the back of the net from point blank range, the final score Spurs 4-1 QPR, a really good performance from the young Lillywhites and I really fancy this crop of players to go all the way this year, their a special group of players.

There were so many splendid performances on Tuesday night every single player had a good game, but the following players really stood out for me. Jack Roles was my man of the match (see below) but another player who wowed the crowds last night was Samuel Shashoua. The inside forward is my favourite player within the academy, he is a player of exceptional quality and his performance last night was one of the finest on the field. With two assists Shahsoua had a big influence on the game on the right wing, his skill, close ball control and decisiveness proved too much for QPR, Shahshoua has been one of the most consistent players in the under 18’s side this season. 17 year old Japhet Tanganga was immense in central defence he was superb in the air and he looked very comfortable at the back, he shows great maturity for a 17 year old. Tanganga is yet another hot prospect with in the academy, and I’m confident that he will replicate Carter-Vickers path in to the first team squad in the next couple of years.

“This was a brilliant experience at Loftus Road. It was a London derby against a team where there’s Chris Ramsey and Perry Suckling who worked with us previously, so that made for a special atmosphere before the game. It was played at a Premier League-standard stadium and whenever you come here and play under the lights it’s a privilege to do so. We’ve seen over the years that this type of setting can bringnerves but I didn’t think we looked nervous tonight – this is a confident and highly-competitive group who handled the atmosphere and the situation. We don’t normally get an army of Tottenham fans when we play at the Training Centre so to have that level of support where they know all the players’ names and sing them aloud is superb. It gives the boys that little bit of a taster of the pressure of being able to play in front of a crowd and having to entertain them – we had unbelievable support again tonight. (John McDermott)

My man of the match: Jack Roles. The midfielder has been on fire this season scoring 15 goals from the centre of midfield as well as creating two assists, and the youngsters performance last night was no exception. Roles is Frank Lampardesque, the timing of his runs are incredible and his performance on Tuesday night was brilliant, his a natural goalscorer.

QPR: Brzozowski, Barzey (Springer-Downes 78), Genovesi, Klass (Mesias 60), Eales, Fox (c), Francis-Adeyinka, Folkes, Eshun (Platt 60), Akinola, Bowler. Substitutes (not used): Ribeiro, Bowman (GK).

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Tsaroulla, Marsh (c), Dinzeyi, Tanganga, Shashoua, Roles (Reynolds 83), Sterling, Duncan (Oakley-Boothe 68), Griffiths (Bennetts 75). Substitutes (not used): Skipp, Whiteman (GK).

Goals: QPR – Eshun 45; Spurs – Roles 24, 46, Griffiths 37, Marsh 74.

Yellow cards: QPR – Brzozowski 25, Folkes 26, Akinola 44.

Referee: Lloyd Wood.