In the semi-finals of the Premier League Next Generation Cup, at Hotspur Way, Spurs’ Youth team faced Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters’ Youth team. Spurs’ side was basically their Under 18 side, and Stuart Lewis’ side impressively won the match 7-0, to set-up a final match with West Ham United on Saturday. Spurs lined-up with Elliot Krasniqi in goal, while Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Archie Chaplin, Will Andiyapan and Jahziah Linton started in defence. Rio Kyerematen and Billy Heaps started in central midfield. Maxwell McKnight and Riley Owen started out wide on the flanks, either side of CAM Tyrese Hall, as Spurs’ captain Jaden Williams led the line. Spurs got the game underway in Enfield. After winning the ball midfielder Rio Kyerematen went forward with the ball, before having an effort blocked inside the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area. Spurs had started the game well, and they were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty kick, after Tyrese Hall seemed to have been fouled inside the penalty area, by number 34 (unfortunately I couldn’t find a list with the names of the Kerala Blasters players). However, the referee didn’t award the penalty for Spurs. After winning the ball, Tyrese Hall passed the ball to Jaden Williams on the edge of the Kerala Blasters penalty area, but his effort was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Brandon Bryan-Waugh managed to deflect an effort over the Spurs goal, from the left side of the Spurs box. Archie Chaplin then did well to block an effort on the Spurs goal, before Stuart Lewis’ side almost took the lead. A good cross into the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area by Maxwell McKnight, was headed away by number four, but Williams managed to get on the ball. However, his effort was saved well by the goalkeeper. A low effort from distance at the other end of the pitch was saved well by Elliot Krasniqi. After receiving Tyrese Hall’s pass, Rio Kyerematen hit an effort over the goal, from the edge of the Kerala Blasters’ box, before Kerala Blasters’ number nine and centre-forward missed a good chance inside the centre of the Spurs box, but he ended up putting the ball wide of the goal. Number eight had an effort which went over Elliot Krasniqi’s goal, before Rio Kyerematen hit a free-kick effort over the goal, from the edge of the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area. Spurs took the lead soon after however, as a good move resulted in Williams receiving a pass from Kyerematen, and he then showed some excellent skill inside the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area, before passing the ball to Kyerematen, who had an effort on goal blocked on the line. However, the ball came to Jahziah Linton on the left side of the box, and he finished well into the goal, 1-0.

Spurs doubled their lead soon after taking the lead, as a clever lofted pass from Riley Owen to Rio Kyerematen inside the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area, resulted in the Spurs player passing the ball to Jaden Williams, who finished well into the goal, 2-0. Some great skill from Tyrese Hall on the left side of the penalty area to lift the ball over a defender, resulted in the first year scholar putting the ball over the goal, from a difficult angle. A pass out from the Spurs defence was met by Kerala Blasters’ number ten, who tried to score from distance, with Elliot Krasniqi out of his goal, but his effort went wide of the goal, with the referee sounding his whistle for half-time soon after. Kerala Blasters got the second half underway (Thomas Bloxam had replaced Tyrese Hall for the start of the second half). Kerala Blasters’ number 34 headed over a corner-kick, before Spurs went forward at the other end of the pitch, as Jahziah Linton hit an effort just over the goal, from the left side of the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area. Linton then did really well inside the Spurs box to make a great challenge on the Kerala Blasters’ number 17. After Thomas Bloxham had won the ball well, he passed it to Jaden Williams, who then passed it to Riley Owen on the left side of the penalty area, and he then delivered a low cross towards the back post, which Maxwell McKnight was able to guide into the goal, 3-0.

Kerala Blasters’ number nine headed over a cross from the left flank, just over the Spurs goal. Then a couple of minutes later number ten hit an effort just over Elliot Krasniqi’s goal, from the edge of the Spurs box. After winning the ball the impressive Thomas Bloxham passed the ball to Maxwell McKnight on the right flank, and the second year scholar delivered a really good low cross into the centre of the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area, which Bloxham was able to finish well from, into the goal, with a good first time effort, 4-0. Will Andiyapan did well to block number 11’s effort inside the Spurs box, before Spurs made three changes. Damola Ajayi, Yusuf Akhamrich and George Abbott all came on to replace Archie Chaplin, Riley Owen and Billy Heaps respectively. Williams had an effort blocked on the edge of the penalty area, just before Damola Ajayi passed the ball to Yusuf Akhamrich, on the left side of the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area, but the forwards’ effort went just wide of the near post. Spurs made it 5-0 soon after, as George Abbott went forward with the ball at pace, before passing the ball to Damola Ajayi on the left side of the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area, and the first year scholar passed the ball to Abbott in the centre of the box, and he calmly side-footed a low effort into the goal, 5-0.

James Roswell replaced Maxwell McKnight, before Kerala Blasters’ number 17 received the ball on the left side of the Spurs box, but Elliot Krasniqi saved his low effort well with his feet. After Kerala Blasters’ number 34 tripped Jaden Williams inside the penalty area, Spurs were awarded a penalty. Williams stepped up to put the ball into the centre of the goal, 6-0. Then shortly after the game got started again, Williams won the ball before taking it into the Kerala Blasters’ penalty area, and from the right side of the box he curled the ball into the left corner of the goal, 7-0. Kerala Blasters’ number 25 hit a lofted effort wide of the Spurs goal from distance, late on in the match, before the referee sounded his whistle for full-time. Spurs face West Ham United in the final of the Premier League Next Generation Cup, on Saturday.

Player reviews:

• Elliot Krasniqi: The first year scholar and goalkeeper didn’t have many saves to make today, but he was good and reliable in goal.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: This was a good defensive performance from the right-back, and during the first half he did well defensively, before later moving into central defence later on during the second half. This was a good performance from Brandon.
• Archie Chaplin: The central defender did well alongside Will Andiyapan, and he was good defensively. He also liked to pass the ball forward, out from defence.
• Will Andiyapan: The versatile defender did well in defence, and like Archie Chaplin he was good defensively, as Spurs kept a clean-sheet.
• Jahziah Linton: The left-back got forward really well and he deserved to get his goal, and he was unlucky not to get another goal later on in the match. 
• Rio Kyerematen: Starting the match in defensive-midfield, Rio Kyerematen brought the ball forward well, and his link-up play and involvement in the forward areas of the pitch was impressive.
• Billy Heaps: I thought that this was an excellent performance in midfield from Billy Heaps, who did everything so well in midfield, and he used the ball so well. The former Stevenage Academy player impressed greatly with his movement off the ball.
• Maxwell McKnight: Starting the match on the right flank as a winger, second year scholar Maxwell McKnight got forward really well, both with and without the ball. He took his goal well, and he also got an assist during his time on the pitch in the second half.
• Tyrese Hall: I thought that the midfielder did well in the CAM position during the first half of the match. He showed good skill on the ball, and he was unlucky not to score during his time on the pitch.
• Riley Owen: The winger was involved in two of Spurs’ goals today, and he was very clever in his all-round play. And he used the ball well.
• Jaden Williams: My man of the match, see below.
• Thomas Bloxham: The skilful winger entered the pitch for the beginning of the second half, and the Republic of Ireland youth international started the second half in the CAM position. He showed some excellent skill on the ball, impressed with his hard work off the ball and he also took his goal well. 
• Damola Ajayi: The forward did well with the ball after he came onto the pitch during the second half.
• Yusuf Akhamrich: The first year scholar came very close to scoring a goal not too long after he was substituted on, during the second half.
• George Abbott: This was a very good second half performance from second half substitute George Abbott, who did well in midfield and he impressed on the ball. George Abbott scored a well taken goal, after starting the move with the ball himself.
• James Roswell: The defender and second half substitute went to right-back, late on it the game.

My man of the match – Jaden Williams. The centre-forward scored a hat-trick today, but his all-round performance was very good on the day. Impressing with his excellent movement off the ball, the second year scholar was always looking to receive the ball in and around the penalty area. Williams took all three of his goals really well. 

In their final pre-season friendly before going to France to compete in the annual Tournoi Européen, Spurs’ Under 21 side faced Isthmian League Premier Division side Billericay Town, at their New Lodge ground, on Saturday evening. Spurs won the game 4-1, and it was a deserved win for Wayne Burnett’s side, who were the better team for much of the game. Spurs lined-up with Josh Keeley in goal, while Maksim Paskotši, Marqes Muir, Alfie Dorrington and Marcel Lavinier started in defence. Captain Jamie Bowden and Kallum Cesay started in central midfield, while Roshaun Mathurin and Yago Santiago started on the flanks, with Nile John starting in the CAM position. Jamie Donley led the line for Spurs, who got the game underway. An early effort from Maksim Paskotši on the right side of the Billericay penalty area, was blocked by Toby Stevenson. A couple of minutes later, John Ufuah went past Makism Paskotši with the ball, and into the Spurs box, but Marqes Muir did well to block his effort. Spurs took the lead soon after that chance for the home side, as Roshaun Mathurin passed the ball to Yago Santiago on the edge of the Billericay box. He then gave the ball to Kallum Cesay, who gave the ball back to Santiago, who had gone into the penalty area, where he finished low past goalkeeper Harry Seaden, 1-0.

Marqes Muir blocked Montel Agyemang’s volleyed effort from the edge of the Spurs box, before Billericay got an equalising goal. A long ball forward by Marvel Ekpiteta, was headed away by Alfie Dorrington, but the ball came to Bradley Stevenson, whose lobbed, volleyed effort on the right side of the Spurs box, went over Josh Keeley, who had came off his line, and into the goal, 1-1. Muir and Dorrington switched sides in central defence, before the game got back underway. Marcel Lavinier blocked Bradley Stevenson’s effort on the right side of the Spurs box, before Spurs’ goalkeeper Josh Keeley gathered an effort from John Ufuah. Spurs continued to do well, but after Nile John had an effort from distance blocked by Bradley Stevenson, Billericay managed to create a good chance. After receiving John Ufuah’s pass, Bradley Stevenson had an effort well blocked by Marcel Lavinier, inside the Spurs penalty area. Alfie Dorrington then guided a header onto the Billericay goal, after meeting Jamie Bowden’s corner-kick, but the Billericay goalkeeper Harry Seaden did well to keep it out and make the save.

Spurs regained the lead in the 41st minute of the game, after the alert Yago Santiago latched onto a loose pass out from the Billericay defence inside their penalty area. Despite Montel Agyemang making a sliding challenge, Santiago calmly found the back of the goal, with a low effort, 2-1. Montel Agyemang hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance, before Josh Keeley managed to save John Ufuah’s free-kick effort, just before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. Billericay got the second half underway. Marqes Muir did well to win the ball in defence, before stepping forward with it and passing it to Roshaun Mathurin, who skilfully worked his way into the Billericay box, before hitting an effort over from a tight angle. Josh Keeley saved John Ufuah’s effort from the left side of the Spurs box, before Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Jeremie Mukendi replaced Marqes Muir and Alfie Dorrington respectively. Roshaun Mathurin had an effort saved from distance. Then, after getting on the ball inside the Spurs box, Billericay’s Trialist B missed the goal with his effort, which went wide of the Spurs goal.

A forward pass from Yago Santiago into the path of Jamie Donley inside the Billericay penalty area, resulted in the centre-forward showing good composure in front of goal, as he finished low into the goal, 3-1. Max Robson replaced Nile John, and then a couple of minutes later Jahziah Linton and George Abbott came on in place of Marcel Lavinier and Jamie Donley respectively. Spurs made it 4-1 soon after, as Jamie Bowden’s cross into the Billericay box, from the left flank, was missed by Jeremie Mukendi, before Maksim Paskotši had an effort saved by goalkeeper Emmanuel Nwosu, but Max Robson read the situation well, and headed the loose ball into the goal, 4-1. Anthony Jeffrey hit an effort wide of the Spurs goal, from the right side of their penalty area, a couple of minutes before Brooklyn Lyons-Foster had an effort blocked inside the Billericay box. The referee sounded his whistle soon after for full-time. Spurs’ Under 21 side will travel to France next week to compete in the annual Tournoi Européen, which begins on Friday.

Player reviews:

• Josh Keeley: The Spurs goalkeeper made some saves, all of which were fairly comfortable saves, on Saturday evening against Billericay. This was Josh Keeley’s second appearance for the Spurs Under 21 side, after he made his debut for them against Bromley, on Wednesday.
• Maksim Paskotši: Versatile defender Maksim Paskotši started the match at right-back, and would later move to central defence during the second half, before finishing the game at right-back. The 19 year old almost scored a goal late on in the game.
• Marqes Muir: I thought that this was a very good and assured performance in central defence from Marqes Muir. He made two important blocks, read the game well, was solidly defensively and I don’t recall him making a single error during his 60 minutes on the pitch.
• Alfie Dorrington: Central defender Alfie Dorrington started the game on the left side of central defence. However, he would later switch with Marqes Muir, to the right side of central defence, during the first half. Dorrington had some good moments in the game, showed his quality on the ball and he almost scored a goal from a header. He completed 60 minutes of the match.
• Marcel Lavinier: Starting the game at left-back, I thought that Marcel Lavinier had a good game in defence. He read the game well.
• Jamie Bowden: The Spurs captain started the game as the defensive-midfielder, where he did well, and made some good forward passes. However, he finished the game in central defence, where he looked assured and composed defensively.
• Kallum Cesay: Providing the assist for Yago Santiago’s first goal of the game, defender Kallum Cesay started in central midfield for this game. He impressed with his all-round play, and he also went on some good skilful forward runs with the ball. 
• Roshaun Mathurin: The highly skilful and creative winger used the ball well out on the right flank, brought it forward well with good skill and he was also involved in Spurs’ opening goal of the game.
• Nile John: The Spurs CAM had an effort blocked during his time on the pitch, and he did well with his link-up play on occasions.
• Yago Santiago: My man of the match, see below.
• Jamie Donley: Always looking to drop deep to receive the ball, centre-forward Jamie Donley took his second half goal well, and he showed some good skill on the ball during the game.
• Jeremie Mukendi: The second half substitute played at centre-forward for the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s match. Jeremie Mukendi worked hard off the ball, and he came close to scoring a late goal.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The defensive-midfielder got another important 30 minutes of game time, as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.
• Max Robson: The late substitute scored a headed goal during the second half, to get Spurs’ fourth goal of the game.
• Jahziah Linton: The late substitute went to left-back, on his debut for the Spurs Under 21 side.
• George Abbott: The late substitute went into central midfield after entering the pitch in the 73rd minute of the game. He also made his debut for the Spurs Under 21 side.

My man of the match – Yago Santiago. With two goals and an assist, Yago Santiago had a really good game for Spurs’ Under 21 side against Billericay Town. The 19 year old started the match on the left flank as a winger, and he was confident with the ball, and at going forward with it. Santiago took both of his goals well, and he showed good vision to find Jamie Donley, for his goal during the second half.

Spurs’ Under 21 side faced National League side Bromley, on Wednesday evening at Hayes Lane, in a pre-season friendly. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side won the game 2-0, and it was a good performance from Spurs, against a good Bromley side. Spurs lined-up with Josh Keeley in goal, while Tyrell Ashcroft, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Charlie Sayers and Marcel Lavinier started the game in defence. Captain Jamie Bowden and Kallum Cesay started in central midfield, as Romaine Mundle and Yago Santiago started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Kion Etete led the line for Spurs, who got the match underway. A back-pass to debutant goalkeeper Josh Keeley, almost ended up going into the Spurs goal, but the goalkeeper managed to recover well, just in time. After receiving Adam Marriott’s pass inside the Spurs box, David Smith had an effort blocked by Charlie Sayers. Then a couple of minutes later Louis Dennis’ cross was met by Adam Marriott, inside the Spurs box, but his headed effort on goal was saved by Josh Keeley.

Bromley had started the match well. A corner-kick which had been delivered into the Spurs box, was headed towards goal by Sam German, to Charlie Nicholas, who then headed the ball wide of the goal. Jamie Bowden was shown a yellow card for a slightly late challenge, before right-back Tyrell Ashcroft had unfortunately picked up an injury early on in the match, which meant that he had to be substituted, with Jamie Donley replacing him. After receiving the ball from Marcel Lavinier, out on the left flank, Kallum Cesay showed some great skill to work his way into the Bromley penalty area, before having an effort saved by the Bromley goalkeeper (trialist A). Marcel Lavinier had an effort from the edge of the Bromley box saved by their goalkeeper, before the impressive Jamie Donley managed to pass the ball to Kion Etete on the edge of the Bromley box. The centre-forward turned with the ball, but his resulting effort was blocked by a defender. Another good run from Kallum Cesay down the left side of the pitch resulted in him finding Kion Etete, who turned with the ball well and then went into the Bromley box, before hitting the ball over the goal.

After reaching a cross from Harry Forster on the right flank, inside the Spurs box, Marcus Sablier hit the ball wide of the Spurs goal, from the left side of their penalty area. Then a couple of minutes later Spurs took the lead, through Romaine Mundle. After Jamie Donley passed the ball to Romaine Mundle on the right side of the pitch, Mundle came inside onto his left foot on the edge of the Bromley penalty area, before curling a powerful effort past the goalkeeper, and into the goal, 1-0. Charlie Nicholas hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance, before a good Spurs move resulted in Nile John passing the ball to Kion Etete, who then found Romaine Mundle on the right side of the Bromley box. However, Romaine Mundle’s powerful effort went wide of the goal. James Vennings hit an effort over Josh Keeley’s goal from the edge of the Spurs box, before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. Bromley got the second half underway. Early on in the second half, Romaine Mundle won a penalty kick for Spurs, after showing some great skill to enter the right side of the Bromley box, before being fouled, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Mundle stepped up to calmly find the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 2-0.

A back pass from Charlie Sayers to Josh Keeley resulted in the goalkeeper being unable to properly control the ball, but he recovered really well and showed good feet to skilfully get past a Bromley player, inside his penalty area. A free-kick which was taken by Romaine Mundle, was delivered towards Jamie Donley inside the Bromley box. Donley was able to control the ball well on the right side of the Bromley penalty area, before putting a low cross in front of the Bromley goal, which Kallum Cesay came to close to being able to tap into the goal. Spurs made a number of changes in the 63rd minute of the game, as Kion Etete, Jamie Bowden, Nile John, Romaine Mundle, Charlie Sayers and Marcel Lavinier all left the pitch. Max Robson, Alfie Dorrington, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Maksim Paskotši, Roshaun Mathurin and Jeremie Mukendi came on in their place. Substitute Max Robson came very close to being able to tap the ball into the Bromley goal, following a good cross towards the back post, inside the Bromley box, from Roshaun Mathurin.

Reece Hannam hit an effort on the volley towards the Spurs goal, from the edge of the Spurs box, but Josh Keeley was alert to make the save. Marqes Muir came on to replace Malachi Fagan-Walcott in central defence, and then a headed effort from a Bromley player was cleared away inside the Spurs box. Reece Hannam then delivered a cross into the Spurs box, which a Bromley player was able to receive, but his effort was well saved by Josh Keeley, and Kallum Cesay was then able to clear the ball. After Chris Bush had challenged Jeremie Mukendi, the Bromley defender was shown his second yellow card of the match, meaning that Bromley had to play the remainder of the match with ten men. The referee sounded his whistle for full-time shortly after. Spurs’ final friendly match of pre-season is on Saturday, when they face Billericay Town, before then going to France to compete in the annual Tournoi Européen.

Player reviews:

• Josh Keeley: On his debut for the Spurs Under 21 side, the Republic of Ireland youth international made three saves, including an impressive save late on in the match. The goalkeeper was getting used to the way that Spurs play, and in particular the way that they pass the ball out from the back, and he was put in some difficult situations with his distribution on a couple of occasions. However, he will no doubt get used to that way of playing the game, even more over time.
• Tyrell Ashcroft: Unfortunately the defender and recent signing from Reading, was only able to complete 22 minutes of Wednesday’s friendly match, after he picked up an injury and had to be substituted on 22 minutes. Tyrell Ashcroft started the match at right-back.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: Following his recent involvement with the Spurs first team in South Korea, central defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott had a defensively solid game on his return to the Spurs Under 21 side, alongside Charlie Sayers, during his time on the pitch. 
• Charlie Sayers: Passing the ball out well from defence and doing well defensively, left footed central defender Charlie Sayers completed 63 minutes of the friendly match with Bromley.
• Marcel Lavinier: Marcel Lavinier started the game at left-back, but following Tyrell Ashcroft’s injury, he moved to right-back, where he got up and down the right side of the pitch well.
• Jamie Bowden: The Spurs captain moved around the midfield well as he kept the ball moving in the central areas of the pitch. His experience showed during the game.
• Kallum Cesay: This was a very good performance from Kallum Cesay, who despite starting the game in midfield, he would play the majority of the match at left-back. The Sierra Leone international went on some really good and skilful forward runs with the ball down the left flank, and he linked-up well with Yago Santiago on that side of the pitch. 
• Romaine Mundle: My man of the match, see below.
• Nile John: Starting the game in the CAM role, midfielder Nile John later went into central midfield, along with Jamie Bowden, after Kallum Cesay went to left-back.
• Yago Santiago: The winger impressed with his link-up play on the left side of the pitch. 
• Kion Etete: The centre-forward started the game well, and he did well at linking-up with Jamie Donley and at getting into some good goalscoring positions.
• Jamie Donley: This was a good performance from the second year scholar, who entered the pitch in the 22nd minute. Playing in the CAM role, he got the assist for Romaine Mundle’s first goal, and his defensive work and tracking back was very good.
• Jeremie Mukendi: The forward replaced Kion Etete in the centre-forward role during the second half, and he moved well off the ball.
• Maksim Paskotši: The Estonia international went to right-back after entering the pitch during the second half.
• Max Robson: The creative midfielder came close to tapping a cross from Roshaun Mathurin into the goal, not long after being introduced to the match. Robson’s off the ball work was as good as always.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The defensive-midfielder completed almost 30 minutes of the match, as he builds up his fitness, following a knee injury which has kept him out for much of 2022.
• Alfie Dorrington: The central defender replaced Charlie Sayers on the left side of central defence, during the second half.
• Roshaun Mathurin: The highly skilful winger came on in the 63rd minute of Wednesday’s match.
• Marqes Muir: The central defender came on in place of Malachi Fagan-Walcott, in the 72nd minute of the game.

My man of the match – Romaine Mundle. The Spurs player started the match as a winger on the right flank, and every time that he received the ball he would look to take on the Bromley left-back for skill. The 19 year old took his first goal really well, before then winning a penalty during the second half, and also scoring from it.