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. 

Spurs’ Under 21 side faced League Two side Leyton Orient, at The Breyer Group Stadium, in the JE3 Foundation Trophy match, on Saturday afternoon. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side lost the game 3-1, as Leyton Orient won the trophy. Spurs lined-up with Aaron Maguire in goal, as Kallum Cesay, Alfie Dorrington, Maksim Paskotši and Danny Rose started in defence. Captain Jamie Bowden and Matthew Craig started in midfield, as Yago Santiago and Romaine Mundle started the match out wide on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Kion Etete would lead the line for Spurs, who got the match underway on a nice summer afternoon. Early on in the match Maksim Paskotši came close to meeting a free-kick from Romaine Mundle, which was delivered towards the back post, inside the Leyton Orient box. After receiving a pass from Danny Rose, Romaine Mundle went forward with the ball to the edge of the Leyton Orient box. However, his curling effort was tipped over the goal well by Leyton Orient goalkeeper Sam Sargeant. Darren Pratley hit an effort towards the Spurs goal, which was headed away by Kion Etete, a couple of minutes later.

After receiving the ball on the edge of the Leyton Orient penalty area, Spurs’ captain Jamie Bowden hit a good effort on goal, which seemed to be tipped onto his near post by goalkeeper Sam Sargeant. However, the ball then came to the alert Kion Etete, who managed to score a goal, with it deflecting in off of Sam Sargeant, 1-0. Spurs were playing well during this stage of the match, and after receiving a pass from Danny Rose down the left side of the pitch, Kion Etete went into the Leyton Orient penalty area after turning well with the ball, before hitting a low effort just wide of the goal. Matthew Craig received a yellow card, before Daniel Nkrumah hit a low effort wide of Aaron Maguire’s goal from the edge of the Spurs box. Leyton Orient equalised soon after, as Adam Thompson’s lofted pass into the Spurs box, was headed across goal by Connor Wood, with the ball hitting off the back post of Maguire’s goal. Spurs were unable to clear the ball though, and Ruel Sotiriou was also to find the back of the net, from the centre of the Spurs box, 1-1.

George Moncur hit an effort across the Spurs goal, from the right side of the Spurs box, before the same player took the lead, soon after. After Leyton Orient had been awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Spurs box, George Moncur stepped up to curl a very good effort into the top right hand corner of Aaron Maguire’s goal, 1-2. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time not long after that Leyton Orient goal. Luca Gunter replaced Aaron Maguire in goal for the second half, which Leyton Orient got underway. Sonny Fish hit an effort wide of Luca Gunter’s goal, from the left side of the Spurs box, before at the other end of the pitch Yago Santiago went forward with the ball down the right side of the Leyton Orient box, before then hitting an effort wide of the goal. Marcel Lavinier and Tyrell Ashcroft replaced Alfie Dorrington and Maksim Paskotši respectively in defence. Nile John hit an effort on goal from the edge of the Leyton Orient box, which was saved by Sam Sargeant. George Moncur then hit an effort over the Spurs goal, after receiving Ruel Sotiriou’s cross. 

Tyrell Ashcroft received a yellow card, before Spurs made two changes. Roshaun Mathurin replaced Yago Santiago, and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster replaced Romaine Mundle, as he returned following a long time out because of injury. From a throw-in on the right side of Spurs’ side of the pitch, the ball came to Adam Thompson inside the Spurs box. And the Leyton Orient player hit an effort past Luca Gunter in the Spurs goal, although it did take a deflection on its way into the goal, 1-3. From the edge of the Spurs box, former Spurs player Anthony Georgiou hit a low effort on goal which was well saved to his left by Luca Gunter. After Kion Etete had been brought down inside the Leyton Orient penalty area, Spurs were awarded a penalty. Kion stepped up to take it, but he ended up hitting the ball wide of the goal. Max Robson came on late on in the match, to replace Kion Etete, before Omar Beckles hit an excellent free-kick effort from inside the Leyton Orient half against one of Luca Gunter’s posts. Harrison Sodje headed a late Leyton Orient corner-kick over the Spurs goal, just before the referee sounded his whistle for full-time. Wayne Burnett’s Spurs side face Bromley (away), in their next pre-season friendly, on Tuesday evening. 

My Spurs player of the match – Kion Etete. I thought that the centre-forward was probably Spurs’ best player today, against Leyton Orient. I thought that the 20 year old worked hard off the ball and impressed in the way that he led the line (particularly during the first half). He also scored a goal during the first half to give Spurs the lead, and he won a penalty which he was unable to score from during the second half.

Spurs’ Under 21 side played their second friendly match of pre-season on Tuesday evening, when Wayne Burnett’s side made the short trip to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, to face Isthmian League Premier Division side Enfield Town. Spurs lost the game 3-2, but it was another good test for Spurs’ Under 21 side, as they prepare for the new 2022/23 season. Aaron Maguire started in goal for Spurs, while Kallum Cesay, Marqes Muir, Alfie Dorrington and Danny Rose started in defence. Matthew Craig and captain Marcel Lavinier started in midfield, with Max Robson and Roshaun Mathurin starting out wide on the flanks, either side of CAM Josh Chambers. Jeremie Mukendi led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway in Enfield, but it was the home side who took the lead early on in the match. After Marqes Muir did well to block John Muleba’s effort inside the Spurs box, the ball came to Sam Youngs in the centre of the penalty area. And he was able to find the bottom left hand corner of Maguire’s goal, 0-1. A little while later Roshaun Mathurin came inside onto his right foot from the left flank, before hitting an effort wide of the Enfield goal. After Danny Rose went forward with the ball down the left flank, he found Max Robson in the Enfield penalty area with a good cross. However, Robson’s low volleyed effort went just wide of the goal.

After Sam Youngs hit an effort from a free-kick into the Spurs wall, the ball came to James Dayton, whose effort went over Aaron Maguire’s goal. Following a pass from Josh Chambers, Roshaun Mathurin showed some great skill to enter the Enfield box, before being fouled by Scott Shulton, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. And Mathurin found the bottom right corner of the Enfield goal from the following penalty, 1-1. John Muleba headed a cross from an Enfield free-kick, just over the Spurs goal from inside their box. Then soon after, Wynford Marko hit an effort from the right side of the Spurs box, which deflected wide off of Danny Rose. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time a couple of minutes later. Luca Gunter had replaced Aaron Maguire in goal, for the start of the second half. After receiving the ball inside the Spurs box, Marcus Wyllie hit an effort on goal, which was saved well by Luca Gunter, before Scott Shulton hit an effort over the Spurs goal. Gunter then made another impressive save, to keep out a headed effort on goal from Marcus Wyllie, before making another two very good saves. 

An effort from a free-kick from Sam Youngs, was well kept out by the alert Luca Gunter. The ball then came to Wynford Marko, but his effort was also saved really well by Gunter, before the ball ended up reaching Adam Cunnington, who scored from close range, 1-2. Marcel Lavinier had an effort from distance blocked, before Enfield were awarded a penalty at the other end of the pitch, after Kallum Cesay had brought down Marcus Wyllie inside the Spurs box. Sam Youngs then stepped up to find the bottom left corner of the Spurs goal, 1-3. Spurs made a number of changes before the game got started again. As Jamie Bowden, Nile John, Romaine Mundle, Kion Etete, Yago Santiago, Maksim Paskotši and Tyrell Ashcroft entered the pitch. As Danny Rose, Roshaun Mathurin, Jeremie Mukendi, Josh Chambers, Max Robson, Marqes Muir and Kallum Cesay all left the pitch. After going onto his right foot from the left flank, Romaine Mundle hit an effort wide of the Enfield goal from distance. Not long after that effort from Romaine Mundle, Spurs got their second goal of the game. After receiving the ball some way out from goal, Nile John looked up before hitting an unstoppable effort into the top left corner of the Enfield goal, 2-3.

Maksim Paskotši headed an effort just wide at the back post of the Enfield goal, after meeting Romaine Mundle’s corner-kick. The referee sounded his whistle shortly after that chance for Spurs to get a late equaliser. Spurs’ next pre-season friendly is against Leyton Orient, on Saturday in the JE3 Trophy.

My Spurs player of the match: Luca Gunter. The second year scholar and goalkeeper came on for the start of the second half, and he had a fine game during the second half. The 17 year old goalkeeper who has been called-up to represent England at youth level in the past, was making his first appearance since returning from an injury which had kept him out for much of the second half of last season. He made four impressive saves against Enfield Town, keeping good positioning and showing his excellent reflexes.

Spurs’ Under 19 side contested the seventh/eighth place play-off match at the 2022 Terborg Tournament on Sunday morning, when they faced German side Borussia Mönchengladbach in their final match of the tournament. Wayne Burnett’s side lost the game 1-0, meaning that they finish the tournament in eighth place. However, they did deserve more from the game with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Aaron Maguire started in goal for Spurs, while a back four of Billy Heaps, Alfie Dorrington, Matthew Craig and Jahziah Linton started in defence. Charlie Davis and Jack Grieves started in midfield, with Jaden Williams and Yago Santiago starting out wide on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Toby Adeyemo would lead the line for Spurs. Borussia Mönchengladbach got the game underway. Toby Adeyemo volleyed an effort from Nile John’s cross into the Borussia Mönchengladbach box, wide of the goal, from close range. Then Billy Heaps hit an effort wide from distance, before Toby Adeyemo volleyed wide a cross from Jaden Williams. After receiving a pass from Adeyemo on the left side of the Borussia Mönchengladbach box, Jack Grieves had an effort saved by the Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper. 

Some good work from Yago Santiago on the left flank resulted in him entering the Borussia Mönchengladbach penalty area. He had an effort saved by their goalkeeper, with the ball then going to Toby Adeyemo, who also had an effort saved. The Borussia Mönchengladbach number eight saw his effort deflect off of Alfie Dorrington, before going wide of the Spurs goal. Santiago had an effort saved from the left side of the Borussia Mönchengladbach box, and then a couple of minutes later Borussia Mönchengladbach took the lead. A good move resulted in number eight passing the ball to number 15 on the left side of the Spurs box, and his low effort went into the goal, although Aaron Maguire did manage to get a hand on the ball, 0-1. Alfie Dorrington headed over Nile John’s cross into the Borussia Mönchengladbach box, before Jack Grieves’ low effort from distance deflected wide of the goal. Jaden Williams headed behind Yago Santiago’s resulting corner-kick, before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time.

Spurs got the second half underway. After Yago Santiago passed the ball to Nile John inside the Borussia Mönchengladbach box, John hit an effort wide of the goal. The Borussia Mönchengladbach number eight curled an effort over from distance, before Spurs made a double substitution as George Abbott and Romaine Mundle replaced Jaden Williams and Charlie Davis respectively. A cross from Jahziah Linton ended up going just wide of the Borussia Mönchengladbach goal, and then after going past number 16, Nile John passed the ball to Romaine Mundle on the right side of the Borussia Mönchengladbach box, but his resulting low effort was saved well by the goalkeeper. Nile John showed good skill to go past two players shortly after, before having an effort saved by the Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper. Santiago hit an effort towards goal which was deflected wide off of a defender, and a couple of minutes after that chance George Abbott hit an effort wide from a Romaine Mundle corner-kick, which came to him on the edge of the penalty area. The Borussia Mönchengladbach number 11 then hit an effort across Aaron Maguire’s goal at the other end of the pitch.

Maguire did well to save number five’s effort from distance, and with the game almost over Spurs made one last change, as Rio Kyerematen replaced Jack Grieves in central midfield. After winning a late free-kick on the edge of the Borussia Mönchengladbach penalty area, Romaine Mundle hit a powerful effort against the crossbar, before the referee sounded his whistle for full-time. 

My man of the match: Yago Santiago. The 19 year old started the match out on the left flank as a winger, and he was by far Spurs’ most inventive player on the day. Santiago was direct, and he showed some really good skill and pace with the ball, and he was unlucky not to score a goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

In their final group game of the Terborg Tournament, Spurs’ Under 19 side faced Dutch side De Graafschap. Wayne Burnett’s side lost the game 2-0. Adam Hayton started in goal for Spurs, while a back four of George Abbott, Alfie Dorrington, Matthew Craig and Jahziah Linton started in front of him. Rio Kyerematen and Nile John started in midfield, as Romaine Mundle and Jaden Williams started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jamie Donley. Toby Adeyemo would lead the line for Spurs. De Graafschap got the match underway. However, the game didn’t get off to a good start for Spurs, who conceded an early goal. Goalkeeper Adam Hayton’s pass out from his penalty area was met by De Graafschap’s number 12, who quickly passed the ball to the number nine in the centre of the Spurs box, and he was able to finish low past Hayton, 0-1. Hayton saved an effort from De Graafschap’s number ten shortly after the game resumed, before De Graafschap doubled their lead. The De Graafschap number seven’s cross from the left was met by the De Graafschap number ten, who calmly finished past Adam Hayton and into the goal, 0-2.

George Abbott blocked a volley from the De Graafschap number seven, before he then did really well to block an effort from the same player inside the Spurs box, before the De Graafschap number ten hit a deflected effort wide of the goal. Alfie Dorrington blocked an effort from the number seven late on in the half, and just before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. Spurs got the second half underway. Charlie Davis and Yago Santiago came on to replace Toby Adeyemo and Jamie Donley respectively. De Graafschap’s number 12 hit an effort just over from the edge of the Spurs box, before Yago Santiago headed over Romaine Mundle’s cross, at the other end of the pitch. Billy Heaps came on to replace Rio Kyerematen, and then Jack Grieves came on to replace Nile John. After meeting number 22’s cross, De Graafschap’s number ten had an effort saved by Adam Hayton, who a couple of minutes later saved an effort from the same player inside the Spurs box. De Graafschap’s number seven hit an effort into the side-netting of Adam Hayton’s goal, from the left side of the Spurs box, before George Abbott blocked De Graafschap’s number 22’s effort inside the Spurs box, with the referee then sounding his whistle for full-time.

Unfortunately this result means that Spurs finish the Van Egmond group in fourth place. They face Borussia Monchengladbach tomorrow morning, in a seventh/eighth place play-off match.

My Spurs player of the match: George Abbott. Starting the match at right-back first year scholar George Abbott defended solidly during the 2-0 loss to De Graafschap, and he often stayed deep. Abbott made some good blocks, including one very good one to stop what seemed a certain goal during the first half. 

In their second group of game of the Terborg Tournament, Spurs’ Under 19 side faced Brazilian side Fluminense. Wayne Burnett’s side lost the game 1-0, against a Fluminense side who were much the better team, during the match. Spurs lined-up with Aaron Maguire in goal, while a back four of Dermi Lusala, Alfie Dorrington, Matthew Craig and Jahziah Linton started in front of him. Rio Kyerematen and captain Nile John started in midfield, as Yago Santiago and Romaine Mundle started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jack Grieves. Jamie Donley would lead the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway. The Fluminense number nine hit an early effort into the side-netting of Aaron Maguire’s goal, from the left side of the Spurs box, before the Fluminense number 11 delivered a cross into the Spurs box, which was met by a forward, whose effort came off of the underside of Maguire’s crossbar before bouncing up. The ball then came to their number five, whose overhead kick went over the Spurs goal. Alfie Dorrington blocked an effort from the Fluminense number seven, and then at the other end of the pitch Romaine Mundle was brought down inside the Fluminense box, by their right-back, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. However, Mundle’s following effort was saved by the goalkeeper, who went the right way. 

A free-kick which was delivered into the Spurs penalty area by Fluminense’s number six, was headed wide of the Spurs goal. Dermi Lusala received a yellow card a couple of minutes before a quickly taken free-kick from the number seven of Fluminense, allowed their left winger space and time with the ball on the left side of the Spurs box. However, Aaron Maguire came rushing out to close down his angles, and he made a good save to stop his effort on goal. Maguire then saved an effort from Fluminense’s number ten inside the Spurs box, before Alfie Dorrington blocked an effort from the number ten, with the ball then going to Fluminense’s number six. His effort from the edge of the Spurs box was really well saved by Aaron Maguire. From a corner-kick late on in the first half, Fluminense’s number three headed the delivery into the box just over the Spurs goal, before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. Fluminense got the second half underway, and then not long into the half Spurs made a double substitution, as Jack Grieves and Rio Kyerematen were replaced by Toby Adeyemo and Charlie Davis respectively. 

It was from a free-kick that Fluminense took a deserved second half lead, after the ball came to Fluminense’s number five inside the Spurs box, and his low effort found the bottom right hand corner of Aaron Maguire’s goal. Shortly after replacing Yago Santiago, Billy Heaps was shown a yellow card. Fluminense’s number 11 hit an effort wide of the Spurs goal, a couple of minutes before Jamie Donley and Toby Adeyemo both had efforts on goal blocked in quick succession. George Abbott replaced Dermi Lusala at right-back, before Toby Adeyemo hit an effort over on the volley from inside the Fluminense box. Fluminense’s number 17 hit a late effort wide of the Spurs goal, before the referee brought the match to an end.

My man of the match: Aaron Maguire. The Spurs goalkeeper made some really good saves against Fluminense. Maguire was commanding in goal, and Fluminense would have won the match by more goals, were it not for some great saves from the second year scholar.

A Spurs Under 19 side played their first group stage match of the 2022 Terborg Tournament, when they faced talented Belgian side KRC Genk on Friday evening. Wayne Burnett’s side recorded a 1-1 draw in their opening group match of the tournament. It was a good performance from Spurs however, and in what was a very open second half, either side could have won the match. Adam Hayton started the match in goal, while George Abbott, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Dermi Lusala started in defence. Matthew Craig and captain Nile John started in midfield, with Romaine Mundle and Yago Santiago starting out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams would lead the line for Spurs. Genk got the game underway. Adam Hayton came rushing out of his goal to confidently get to a lofted forward pass, before then clearing number eight’s forward pass (unfortunately I couldn’t manage to find a team-sheet), fairly early on in the game. After Alfie Dorrington was unable to clear/control a forward pass, Genk’s centre-forward and number nine was able to get onto the ball and go forward with the ball down the right side of the Spurs box. Adam Hayton did really well to save the centre-forward’s effort, with Charlie Sayers then clearing the ball.

After receiving a pass from number five on the left side of the Spurs box, Genk’s number 11 hit Adam Hayton’s near post, with a fine effort. An effort from a Genk player was then deflected wide inside the Spurs box, before their number four had a headed effort saved by Hayton, from a Genk corner-kick. Jamie Donley had an effort blocked at the opposite end of the pitch, before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time (each half is 25 minutes long). Spurs got the second hand underway. Wayne Burnett’s side got the second half off to a great start, as Spurs took an early lead. It was a good move, as Santiago passed the ball to Donley down the left side of the Genk penalty area, and his early low cross to Jaden Williams, was tapped past the Genk goalkeeper from close range, 1-0. Nile John hit an effort over from distance on the right flank, before Toby Adeyemo (a player from Watford FC) came on to replace Jaden Williams. After receiving the ball on the left flank and going inside onto his right foot, the Genk number 11 had an effort saved by Adam Hayton. George Abbott then blocked an effort on the edge of the Spurs box, before the Genk number 14 managed to find the bottom right hand corner of Hayton’s goal, 1-1.

After receiving a pass, the Genk number nine had a deflected effort on the turn saved by Hayton. Jack Grieves came on to replace George Abbott, a couple of minutes later. Charlie Sayers headed Yago Santiago’s cross into the Genk penalty area, just wide of the goal. Shortly after that chance for Spurs, Jamie Donley headed wide Romaine Mundle’s corner-kick. The Genk left-back then delivered a cross into the Spurs box, which was met by their number 11, whose headed effort on goal was excellently saved by Adam Hayton. The ball then came to another Genk player, but his effort from close range hit the post, before being cleared. After gettting on the ball on the edge of the Spurs box following a corner-kick, the Genk number 15 hit an effort over Adam Hayton’s goal. Romaine Mundle hit a free-kick from out on the right flank, into the side-netting of the Genk goal, before at the other end of the pitch, the Genk number seven came inside with the ball onto his right foot, before hitting an effort over the Spurs goal.

Spurs came very close to getting a late winner, after Jamie Donley brought the ball forward towards the edge of the Genk box, before hitting a powerful effort which hit the crossbar. Matthew Craig received a late yellow card, before the referee sounded his final whistle. Spurs’ next group match is against Brazilian side Fluminense, tomorrow afternoon.

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: My man of the match, see below.
• George Abbott: Starting the match at right-back, first year scholar George Abbott defended well, and often stayed deep to help the central defenders, during his time on the pitch. 
• Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half worked well alongside Charlie Sayers, and the defender from Enfield did some good defensive work, and was also good in the air.
• Charlie Sayers: This was a very impressive performance from the left footed central defender, who was really assured in defence. Sayers made some really good decisions, was always alert and his positioning was also good. The second year scholar also went on one very good run with the ball, out from defence.
• Dermi Lusala: Starting the match at left-back, full-back Dermi Lusala supported Yago Santiago well in forward areas.
• Matthew Craig: The defensive-midfielder worked well in central midfield, before then going to right-back, during the second half. 
• Nile John: The Spurs captain often got forward well, and like Matthew Craig he worked well in midfield.
• Romaine Mundle: The winger went on some good forward runs with the ball during the game, and he started the match well. Romaine started the match out on the right flank. 
• Jamie Donley: This was a good performance from the Spurs CAM, who set-up Jaden Williams’ goal, and also hit the crossbar late on in the game with a really good effort. Donley worked really hard, and his movement off the ball was good.
• Yago Santiago: Starting the match out on the left flank as a winger, Yago Santiago went on some runs forward with the ball, and he was direct with it. He was also involved in Spurs’ goal.
• Jaden Williams: The Spurs centre-forward led the line well, and was in a good position to score his goal, early on in the second half.
• Toby Adeyemo: The Watford player went to centre-forward after replacing Jaden Williams.
• Jack Grieves: The Watford player went into central midfield after replacing George Abbott during the second half.

My man of the match: Adam Hayton. The goalkeeper and second year scholar made two very good and important saves against Genk, on Friday evening. However, they weren’t the only saves that Adam made, and his all-round performance in goal was very good.

Spurs’ Under 23 side traveled to the Cobham Training Centre to face a strong Chelsea side which included Trevor Chalobah and Malang Sarr, in their final Premier League 2 fixture of the 2021/22 season. Spurs lost the match, with Chelsea scoring two goals late on in the second half, to make sure that they avoided relegation to the Second Division of the Premier League 2. Spurs lined-up with Thimothée Lo-Tutala in goal, while Kallum Cesay, Marqes Muir, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Dermi Lusala started in defence. Spurs’ captain Jamie Bowden and Nile John started in midfield, as Romaine Mundle and Yago Santiago started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Kion Etete would lead the line for Spurs, who got the match underway on a nice day at the Cobham Training Centre. Early on in the match Malachi Fagan-Walcott made an important and good challenge on Harvey Vale. Then a couple of minute later Yago Santiago had a cross from the left flank pushed away by Chelsea goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom, just before Romaine Mundle won a free-kick on the edge of the Chelsea box. However, his resulting effort was blocked by the Chelsea wall. Santiago hit an effort wide after going inside with the ball onto his right foot, from the left flank.

Marqes Muir received an early yellow card for a challenge on Harvey Vale, before Spurs managed to create a good chance. Yago Santiago managed to win the ball off of Trevor Chalobah, he then passed the ball to Kion Etete, who gave the ball to Romaine Mundle on the right side of the Chelsea box, but his effort was blocked well by Malang Sarr. After Mundle managed to get onto the ball following a pass from Malang Sarr, he passed the ball to Alfie Devine inside the Chelsea box, but Devine’s effort was blocked. Thimothée Lo-Tutala saved Thierno Ballo’s low effort from the edge of the Spurs penalty area, before Marqes Muir did well to block Thierno Ballo’s effort inside the Spurs box. Malachi Fagan-Walcott had a header saved by Bergstrom, from a Bowden cross, before Jamie Bowden received a yellow card, with the referee then sounding his whistle for half-time. Chelsea got the second half underway. A good Spurs move saw Mundle pass the ball to Devine on the right side of the Chelsea box, and the midfielder then crossed the ball for Kion Etete at the back post, but his effort was deflected behind off a Chelsea player.

Spurs took the lead in the 57th minute of the game, through Kion Etete. Jamie Bowden’s corner-kick was met by Kion Etete at Luca Bergstrom’s back post, and Etete was able to head the ball towards the centre of the goal, with it already having crossed the line when Xavier Simons headed it into the roof of the goal, 1-0. After going on a great run with the ball, Romaine Mundle had an effort from the edge of the Chelsea penalty area saved. Then J’Neil Bennett replaced Alfie Devine, who had picked up an injury. Mason Burstow came very close to meeting a cross into the box, a couple of yards out from the Spurs goal. Nile John hit an effort over from the right side of the Chelsea box, before Kallum Cesay received a yellow card. Max Robson then replaced Nile John, who seemed to have picked up an injury. After going past Dermi Lusala with the ball on the left side of the Spurs box, Lewis Hall squared the ball for Dion Rankine to tap home from close range, 1-1. Max Rosbson received a yellow card just before the game got started again.

Lo-Tutala was able to save Harvey Vale’s curling effort, before Chelsea took the lead for the first time in the game. After receiving a pass from Xavier Simons on the right side of the Spurs box, Mason Burstow hit a deflected effort on goal via a deflection off of Fagan-Walcott, which Lo-Tutala was able to save, but not gather. As Joe Haigh was able to tap the ball into the goal, 1-2. Maksim Paskotši replaced Marqes Muir, in what was Spurs’ final change of the game. Malachi Fagan-Walcott sent a looping header just wide of the Chelsea goal, after meeting Jamie Bowden’s free-kick inside the Chelsea box. Trevor Chalobah then made a challenge on Max Robson inside the Chelsea box, which Robson was adamant should have been a penalty for Spurs. Mason Burstow’s effort from the right side of the Spurs box was saved by Lo-Tutala, before Spurs managed to create one last good chance. Romaine Mundle’s cross to Kion Etete inside the Chelsea box, was headed down by the centre-forward to Santiago, who then passed the ball to Jamie Bowden on the edge of the Chelsea box, but his effort went over the goal. The referee sounded his final whistle a couple of minutes later, to bring Spurs’ Premier League 2 season to an end.

Player reviews:

• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: The Spurs goalkeeper made some good saves, but it was how he commanded his box and came rushing out his goal to clear the ball on occasions, which impressed me the most today. 
• Kallum Cesay: The right-back defended well, but he also showed some good skill on the ball.
• Marqes Muir: I was impressed once again with how the first year professional defended, during the game today. Marqes made a good block in the first half, but he was at times very clever in how he defended against a good Chelsea side.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: My man of the match, see below.
• Dermi Lusala: The left-back often stayed deep, but he did get forward well on occasions.
• Jamie Bowden: The Spurs captain made some good passes and took some good set-pieces today. He was creative with the ball, but he also read the game well.
• Nile John: The midfielder was tidy on the ball, and he supported the forwards well, before unfortunately having to be substituted.
• Romaine Mundle: Very inventive with the ball during the first half, Romaine Mundle went on some good runs with the ball down the right flank.
• Alfie Devine: The Spurs CAM made some good passes during his time on the pitch and worked well with the forwards. However, he unfortunately had to be substituted because of injury.
• Yago Santiago: On his 27th competitive appearance of the season for Wayne Burnett’s Spurs Under 23 side, Yago Santiago started the Chelsea match as a winger on the left flank. He would later move to the CAM position after Alfie Devine was substituted.
• Kion Etete: The centre-forward made his first competitive appearance of the season for the Spurs Under 23 side on Sunday, after returning from loan club Cheltenham Town. The 20 year old would lead the line well against Chelsea, score a good headed goal and he also held the ball up well.
• J’Neil Bennett: The second half substitute went out to the left flank, where he played as a winger.
• Max Robson: The second half substitute went on a good run with the ball down the left flank, into the Chelsea penalty area, and he was adamant that Trevor Chalobah had fouled him, and that he should have had a penalty. 
• Maksim Paskotši: The late substitute replaced Marqes Muir on the right side of central defence.

My man of the match: Malachi Fagan-Walcott. Starting the match as a left sided centre-half, 20 year old defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott was in my opinion very good defensively against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. The defender read the game so well, made some really good challenges and he didn’t deserve to be on the losing side today. He was excellent.

Spurs’ Under 18 side welcomed Arsenal to Hotspur Way on Saturday morning, for their final Premier League South fixture of the 2021/22 season. Spurs lost the north London derby 5-0, in what was a disappointing end to the season, with Arsenal the much better side on the day. Spurs lined-up with Aaron Maguire in goal, while a back four of Maxwell McKnight, Will Andiyapan, Alfie Dorrington and Jahziah Linton started in front of him. George Abbott and Dante Cassanova started in midfield, as Thomas Bloxham and Billy Heaps started out on the flanks, either side of CAM and Spurs captain Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams would lead the line for Spurs. Arsenal got the match underway. Early on in the match Mauro Bandeira hit an effort which deflected just wide of the Spurs goal. Then from the following corner-kick which was delivered by Bandeira, Alfie Dorrington tried to clear the ball, but it came to James Sweet inside the Spurs box, and he was able to finish past Maguire, 0-1. Aaron Maguire saved a deflected effort soon after the goal, and then against the run of play Spurs were awarded a penalty kick, after Henry Jeffcott handled Maxwell McKnight’s cross inside the Arsenal penalty area. However, Jamie Donley’s resulting penalty kick was saved low down by Remy Mitchell.

Rio Kyerematen replaced the injured Thomas Bloxham in what was Spurs’ first change of the game, before Jamie Donley had an effort blocked inside the Arsenal box. Jack Henry-Francis volleyed over Mauro Bandeira’s cross, before Arsenal doubled their lead. As Jack Henry-Francis volleyed James Sweet’s cross into the bottom right corner of the Spurs goal, 0-2. Amario Cozier-Duberry hit an effort into the side-netting of Maguire’s goal, from the left side of the Spurs box. After that chance Alfie Dorrington made a really good challenge on James Sweet inside the Spurs box. Arsenal made it 3-0 on 31 minutes, after Mauro Bandeira received a pass from Jack Henry-Francis inside the Spurs box, the midfielder went past Jahziah Linton with the ball, before hitting the ball into the goal, via a deflection off of Alfie Dorrington, 0-3. Billy Heaps hit an effort into the side-netting of the Arsenal goal from the left side of their box, before Charles JR Sagoe saw his deflected effort go over Aaron Maguire’s goal. Dorrington then made an important block from Charles JR Sagoe’s effort inside the Spurs box.

Maguire saved Mauro Bandeira’s effort from distance, before Dorrington blocked an effort from the same player soon after. Mauro Bandeira had an effort from the right side of the Spurs box saved by Maguire, just before Charles JR Sagoe headed Mauro Bandeira’s cross wide of the Spurs goal, in what was the final chance of the half. Spurs got the second half underway, with Riley Owen replacing Dante Cassanova at half-time. Bradley Ibrahim curled an effort just over Aaron Maguire’s goal, just before Maguire had saved Jack Henry-Francis’ effort with his feet inside the Spurs box, before then saving Charles JR Sagoe’s resulting effort. Bradley Ibrahim hit a low effort wide of the Spurs goal, and a couple of minutes later Maxwell McKnight did well to block Jack Henry-Francis’ volleyed effort at the back post of Aaron Maguire’s goal. A clearance from the Spurs goalkeeper then rebounded off of Charles JR Sagoe, but Will Andiyapan was able to clear the ball on the line, just in time. After going inside with the ball from the left side of the pitch, Amario Cozier-Duberry had an effort saved by Aaron Maguire. Then at the other end of the pitch Jamie Donley had a headed effort saved from a Riley Owen cross. 

Arsenal extended their lead after Jack Henry-Francis met Mauro Bandeira’s low cross inside the Spurs box, and his effort was blocked on the line by George Abbott, with the ball then looping up, and Alfie Dorrington was unfortunate not to be able to clear it for a second time, as it crossed the line, 0-4. Archie Chaplin replaced Jahziah Linton, before George Abbott hit an effort from the edge of the Arsenal box.  Charles JR Sagoe’s low effort inside the Spurs box was saved by Maguire, just before Arsenal got their fifth goal of the game. Ismail M’Hand managed to win the ball off of Archie Chaplin, before bringing the ball into the Spurs box, and finishing well past Aaron Maguire, at his near post, 0-5. The referee sounded his whistle for full-time a couple of minutes later. The season may now have finished for the Spurs Under 18 side, but the end of season Terborg Tournament in The Netherlands starts on the 27th of May, and I imagine that a number of players from Stuart Lewis’ side will travel to that tournament.

My Spurs player of the match: Aaron Maguire. Although centre-half Alfie Dorrington  made some really good challenges and blocks, as well as bringing the ball out well from the back, I thought that Spurs’ goalkeeper Aaron Maguire was Spurs’ best player against Arsenal. The second year scholar made a number of impressive saves to keep the score down to 5-0. Maguire has impressed every time that I have seen him play for Spurs this season.