Spurs’ Under 18 side welcomed Brighton & Hove Albion to Hotspur Way on Saturday morning, for a Premier League South game. Spurs won the match 2-1, and it was another good team performance. Making his second competitive appearance of the season following his return from injury, Luca Gunter started in goal, while a back four consisting of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Archie Chaplin and William Andiyapan started in-front of him. Captain Dante Cassanova and Rio Kyerematen started in central midfield, while Maxwell McKnight and Renaldo Torraj started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Brighton got the game underway on a cold day in Enfield, but the first chance of the game came Spurs’ way. McKnight passed the ball to Donley inside the Brighton box, but his effort was blocked behind for a corner kick. From the resulting corner kick from Dante Cassanova, the ball ended up coming to Donley, but his effort was saved well by the Brighton goalkeeper Fynn Talley, who made himself big. At the other end of the pitch Donley headed narrowly over Cassanova’s corner kick, before the Spurs forward then hit a free-kick wide. Alfie Dorrington received Spurs’ first yellow card of the game shortly afterwards.

After Jaden Williams had an effort on goal blocked by a Brighton defender, the ball came to Jamie Donley, who hit the crossbar from his deflected effort. After receiving William Andiyapan’s pass inside the Brighton box, Jaden Williams had a low effort saved by Fynn Talley. Joshua Duffus had an effort cleared off the line, before Spurs took the lead in the 37th minute of the game. The impressive Renaldo Torraj picked the ball up on the left flank, before cutting inside and going on a fine and skilful run towards the edge of the Brighton box. He then hit a wonderful and powerful effort past Talley and into the top right hand corner of the goal, 1-0. Shortly after the game got back underway Dante Cassanova received a yellow card, and then a couple of minutes after that Jack Hinshelwood volleyed over Samy Chouchane’s free-kick. Luca Gunter made an important save shortly afterwards to stop Marcus Ifill’s effort, in what was the final piece of action from the first half. Spurs got the second half underway, and early on in the half Alfie Dorrington made a good block to stop Joshua Duffus from testing Luca Gunter. Then Jack Hinshelwood hit an effort just over the Spurs goal, before at the other end of the pitch Maxwell McKnight had an effort blocked. 

Spurs doubled their advantage after McKnight passed the ball to Donley, who then threaded a nice pass through to Rio Kyerematen down the right hand side of the Brighton box. The Spurs midfielder then calmly tucked the ball past the Brighton goalkeeper and into the back of the goal, 2-0. Brighton tried to respond, Jack Gee hit Luca Gunter’s crossbar before Kyerematen blocked a Brighton free-kick. Marcus Ifill had an effort blocked behind for a corner, inside of the Spurs box, before Brighton managed to get a goal back. Luca Gunter dropped a delivery into the box, and the ball fell for Jack Hinshelwood, who was able to score. However, Luca Gunter was not at all happy with the referee that the goal was allowed to stand, and soon afterwards he received a yellow card. Khalon Haysman came on to replace Renaldo Torraj out on the left flank, before Samy Chouchane hit an effort just wide of the Spurs goal. Elliot Jenks then headed just wide at the back post, after meeting Bailey Smith’s cross. 

Thomas Bloxham then replaced Jaden Williams, as Head Coach Stuart Lewis made his second change of the game. A deflected effort from Donley came to Rio Kyerematen inside the Brighton box. He was one on one with Fynn Talley, but the Brighton goalkeeper was able to save his effort from close range. After latching onto Jamie Donley’s pass down the left side of the Brighton penalty area, Thomas Bloxham skipped past a Brighton defender before having his effort saved by the Brighton goalkeeper, in what turned out to be the final chance of the game. Spurs’ next league game is after the international break, when they host in-form Southampton at Hotspur Way.

Player reviews:

• Luca Gunter: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t have a lot to do today, in regards to making saves. He did make one important save in the first half and he was unlucky to concede in the second half.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: This was a solid performance at right-back from the first year scholar. Bryan-Waugh made some good challenges during the game.
• Alfie Dorrington: Central-defender Alfie Dorrington was assertive in defence, made some good blocks and also led well from defence.
• Archie Chaplin: I thought that this was another strong defensive performance from Archie Chaplin, overall. Chaplin showed his quality on the ball, but also in defence as well.
• William Andiyapan: Playing at left-back Wales Under 17 international William Andiyapan read the game well down our left flank, and kept good positioning throughout the game.
• Dante Cassanova: The Spurs captain worked really hard in midfield, and he also worked well alongside Rio Kyerermaten. Cassanova broke up play well in the middle of the pitch.
• Rio Kyerematen: Getting forward well from midfield, England Under 17 international Rio Kyerematen took his goal well in the second half, but he also kept good positioning in midfield.
• Maxwell McKnight: Playing as a winger out on the right flank, Maxwell McKnight went on some strong forward runs down the right flank. He was always looking to take on the Brighton left-back.
• Jamie Donley: The England Under 17 international had a couple of good chances in the first half, which he was unlucky not to score from. Donley worked well off the ball and his passing was good as well.
• Renaldo Torraj: My man of the match, see below.
• Jaden Williams: Making some good runs off the ball, centre-forward Jaden Williams led the line well and worked hard to try and influence the game.
• Khalon Haysman: The second half substitute moved out to the left flank initially before moving to the CAM role.
• Thomas Bloxham: The late substitute showed good skill to go past a Brighton defender, before having an effort saved by the goalkeeper, late on in the game.

My man of the match: Renaldo Torraj. Playing out on the left flank Renaldo Torraj gave the Brighton right-back a difficult game. Going on some really fine and skilful runs, the versatile player was creative and unpredictable out on the left flank, and he could even have won a penalty in the first half. It was a very strong first half performance from Renaldo, who took his goal excellently well.

Spurs’ Under 23 side faced Manchester United at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday, in the Premier League 2. Wayne Burnett’s side won the match 1-0, thanks to a very late winner from Dilan Markanday. Spurs lined-up with Thimothée Lo-Tutala in goal, while the defence included Kallum Cesay, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Tobi Omole and Marcel Lavinier. Captain Harvey White and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster started in central midfield, and Jack Clarke and Dilan Markanday started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Dane Scarlett led the line for Spurs. Manchester United got the game underway, but an early chance for Spurs saw Dilan Markanday hit an effort just wide from Dane Scarlett’s cross from the right flank. Marcel Lavinier then tested Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar from the edge of the Manchester United penalty area, before Markanday had a low effort saved from the left. Thimothée Lo-Tutala saved Anthony Elanga’s effort, and then a couple of moments later Tobi Omole blocked an effort from Amad Diallo. After latching onto a loose ball Nile John hit an effort over the Manchester United goal, and then at the other end of the pitch Thimothée Lo-Tutala came out of his goal to make a challenge (from where I was it seemed to be inside his penalty area) and fouled Shola Shoretire, conceding a free-kick for the away side.

After being shown a yellow card Lo-Tutala saved Shoretire’s resulting free-kick, before Nile John blocked Isak Hansen-Aarøen’s effort. After the Manchester United players looked for a penalty from a supposed handball from Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Lo-Tutala made a save from Joe Hugill’s effort, before Shola Shoretire hit the post from inside the Spurs box. Lyons-Foster blocked Hansen-Aarøen’s effort, and then Fagan-Walcott blocked Hugill’s effort well. The unmarked Teden Mengi volleyed over Amad Diallo’s corner-kick, as Manchester United continued to play well. Lyons-Foster then made a good challenge on Anthony Elanga inside the Spurs box, before at the other end of the pitch John had an effort blocked, before then testing Matej Kovar in the Manchester United goal, in what was the final effort of the half. Spurs got the second half underway, and early on in the half Lo-Tutala saved well from Hansen-Aarøen’s effort, before Dane Scarlett headed wide from Harvey White’s corner-kick. Shortly afterwards Markanday received a pass from Harvey White inside the away team’s box, but his effort was well saved by the Manchester United goalkeeper.

Charlie Wellens volleyed an effort wide from distance, before Amad Diallo saw his effort on goal take a deflection off of Harvey White, before being saved by Lo-Tutala. Nile John hit an effort narrowly wide of the Manchester United goal, before at the other end of the pitch the newly introduced Charlie McNeill hit the side-netting of the Spurs goal. Yago Santiago came on for Jack Clarke, in what was Spurs’ first change of the game. After receiving Markanday’s pass, John had an effort saved from Kovar, before the Manchester United goalkeeper tipped over an effort from Harvey White. Romaine Mundle made his return from injury to replace Tobi Omole, and then a couple of minutes later Markanday won a free-kick on the edge of the Manchester United box, which Harvey White hit over the goal. Michael Craig then came on to replace Nile John in midfield, before Scarlett headed over Mundle’s cross. Then in the 92nd minute of the game Spurs took a deserved lead through their best player on the day – Dilan Markanday. Santiago’s low pass tried to be cleared by a Manchester United defender, but the ball came nicely to Markanday inside the away team’s box. Markanday showed good composure to powerfully hit a low effort past Kovar, and into the back of the goal, 1-0.

Björn Hardley headed over Amad Diallo’s corner-kick, before Yago Santiago had an effort blocked inside the Manchester United box, in what was the final piece of action of the game. This was another very good and deserve win for Spurs, who will play Brighton away in their next and final league game before the upcoming international break.

Player reviews:

• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: The Spurs goalkeeper made a number of good saves for Spurs on Saturday, in what was a good performance from the France Under 19 international. 
• Kallum Cesay: I thought that the right-back defended well against the talented Anthony Elanga, down Spurs’ right flank.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The right sided centre-half made an important block in the first half, and overall I thought that he defended solidly alongside Tobi Omole in central defence.
• Tobi Omole: The left sided centre-half had a strong game alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott, during his time on the pitch against Manchester United.
• Marcel Lavinier: I thought that the full-back defended solidly on Saturday and also got forward well on occasions as well.
• Harvey White: The Spurs captain and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster had a difficult job to do in midfield, as Manchester United focused a lot on trying to build from midfield, and also trying to be better and more influential than us in that area of the pitch. However, I thought that Harvey White and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster more than held their own in the centre of the pitch, and they complimented each other well. 
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Making some good challenges and interceptions in midfield alongside Harvey White, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster’s overall reading of the game was good.
• Jack Clarke: The winger who switched flanks with Dilan Markanday during the second half was very direct with the ball out in the wide positions.
• Nile John: The CAM tried his luck on goal on numerous occasions, and he was very direct with the ball when going forward with it, and showed good skill as well. 
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Dane Scarlett: The second year scholar led the line well for Spurs and worked very hard off the ball. His movement off the ball was as good as always.
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute helped to set-up Dilan Markanday’s winner, and he made a good impression on the game after he came on.
• Romaine Mundle: The winger made his return from injury as he came on to play the final 12 minutes of normal time of the game.
• Michael Craig: N/A.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. The 20 year old winger really grew into Saturday’s game, and after switching flanks with Jack Clarke he really started to cause Manchester United a lot of problems (he was good before switching flanks). Markanday took his goal really well again, and his directness and excellent skill on the ball was very impressive. He really liked to cut inside onto his favoured left foot after switching onto the right flank during the second half.

Spurs’ Under 23 side returned to Premier League 2 action on Monday evening, when Wayne Burnett’s side played West Ham United, at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium. Spurs lost what was a very lively match 4-3. Joshua Oluwayemi started in goal, while a back four consisting of Marcel Lavinier, Marqes Muir, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay started in front of him. Matthew Craig and Spurs’ captain Harvey White started in midfield, and Jack Clarke and Dilan Markanday started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Alfie Devine led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway, but it was the visitors who started the game better. After Tobi Omole cleared Armstrong Okoflex’s cross early on in the game, West Ham managed their first goal attempt. Pierre Ekwah headed behind Harrison Ashby’s corner-kick, with it taking a deflection on the way. After initially saving well from Okoflex’s low effort, Oluwayemi could do nothing to stop Pierre Ekwah from finding the top left hand corner of the goal in emphatic fashion from distance, moments later, 0-1. Spurs tried to respond. Harvey White’s through-ball pass allowed Jack Clarke to run forward with the ball towards the edge of the West Ham box. Clarke was dispossessed by a West Ham defender, but the ball came to Nile John, who powerfully found the inside netting of the bottom left hand corner of the West Ham goal, 1-1.

In the 16th minute of the game Spurs managed to take the lead, as Alfie Devine latched onto Nile John’s well weighted through-ball pass, before continuing forward, striking the inside left post, with the ball then rebounding into the goal, 2-1. Harvey White then blocked a low effort on goal from inside the Spurs box, before Dilan Markanday hit over a Harvey White corner-kick from close range inside the West Ham box. The lively start to the game continued, and after Daniel Chesters received Keenan Forson’s pass, the winger continued forward before powerfully finding the back of the Spurs goal, with a low effort. Things got even better for West Ham not long afterwards, as Spurs defender Marqes Muir accidentally turned Harrison Ashby’s cross from the right flank, into his own goal, 2-3. After cutting inside from the left flank onto his right foot, Kallum Cesay tried his luck on goal, but West Ham goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi made a good save. Armstrong Okoflex’s side-footed effort from distance went narrowly wide, before at the other end of the pitch Markanday had an effort blocked. Jack Clarke hit a promising effort across the face of the West Ham goal, before the same Spurs player ended up being fouled inside the West Ham penalty area a couple of moments later, resulting in a penalty kick. Nile John stepped up to powerfully find the back of the net, 3-3.

Okoflex put a low cross just behind at Oluwayemi’s back post, and then a couple of minutes later Harvey White had an effort saved by Hegyi, in what was the final action from the first half. West Ham got the second half underway, and an early chance for Sonny Perkins ended in the centre-forward hitting an effort just wide of the Spurs goal. Lavinier managed to cut out a promising West Ham pass inside the Spurs box, and then Tobi Omole was adjudged by the referee to have fouled Keenan Forson inside the penalty area. Up stepped Armstrong Okoflex to powerfully side-foot the ball past Oluwayemi in the Spurs goal, 3-4. Oluwayemi gathered an effort on goal before Spurs made a double substitution, as Matthew Craig and Alfie Devine were replaced by Yago Santiago and Michael Craig. Keenan Forson struck the Spurs crossbar with an effort, and then Brooklyn Lyons-Foster came onto replace Marcel Lavinier at right-back. Nile John hit two efforts wide in quick succession, before Kallum Cesay became the first Spurs player to receive a yellow card during the game. Harvey White hit a free-kick into the West Ham wall, and then at the other end of the pitch substitute Thierry Nevers hit a bicycle-kick just over Oluwayemi’s goal. Dilan Markanday tried to get an equaliser for Spurs in second half additional time, but he couldn’t keep his effort on target. The final score was Spurs 3-4 West Ham. Spurs will travel up to Manchester to play Manchester City in their next Premier League 2 game, which is on Saturday.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent any of West Ham’s four goals from going in. Oluwayemi made a couple of good saves during the match. 
• Marcel Lavinier: The right-back cut out two good and promising chances for West Ham, during his time on the pitch. 
• Marqes Muir: The right-sided centre-half started alongside Tobi Omole in central defence, and Marqes Muir was good in the air throughout the match.
• Tobi Omole: The central-defender started as a left-sided centre-half against West Ham. Omole went down injured during the second half, but was fine to continue afterwards.
• Kallum Cesay: Going on some good runs down the left flank, full-back Kallum Cesay had a good effort saved during the first half.
• Matthew Craig: The deepest of the two central midfielders patrolled the midfield alongside Harvey White.
• Harvey White: Delivering some good corner-kicks into the West Ham box, midfielder Harvey White also made some good forward runs off the ball.
• Jack Clarke: The winger started the match out on the right flank, but later switched flanks with Dilan Markanday during the second half. Clarke won the first half penalty which Nile John scored.
• Nile John: My man of the match, see below.
• Dilan Markanday: The winger may not have had a lot of the ball against West Ham, but on another day he could have had a goal or two. He grew into the game as it went on.
• Alfie Devine: Playing as a centre-forward Alfie Devine had in my opinion another good game. Making some good runs off the ball, Devine took his first half goal really well – it was his sixth league goal of the season.
• Michael Craig: The midfielder and second half substitute often got forward during his time on the pitch.
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute played as a centre-forward.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The late substitute replaced Marcel Lavinier at right-back.

My man of the match: Nile John. Always looking to receive the ball, CAM Nile John was without doubt Spurs’ most influential player against West Ham. John scored two well taken goals, and also registered an assist. The midfielder was always looking to play the ball forward and take players on.

Spurs’ Under 23 side were involved in a thrilling match against Crystal Palace, at the South London club’s training ground on Friday afternoon. Wayne Burnett’s side lost the match 4-3, although they had fought back from being 3-0 down, to get back to 3-3 during the second half. Joshua Oluwayemi started in goal for Spurs, while a back four consisting of Matthew Craig, Marqes Muir, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay lined up in front of him. Captain Harvey White and Nile John started in central midfield, and Jack Clarke and Dilan Markanday started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Yago Santiago led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway, but it didn’t start well for Spurs. Crystal Palace took the lead after just five minutes, through defender Jay Rich-Baghuelou. After a corner kick came to Jesuran Rak-Sakyi just inside the Spurs box, he looped it back into the centre of the penalty area, where he found Rich-Baghuelou, who got up well to head the ball past Oluwayemi, who managed to get a hand on the ball and into the back of the net, 0-1. Kallum Cesay had an effort from the edge of the Crystal Palace box saved, before the home side doubled their advantage. After receiving the ball on the right flank Jesuran Rak-Sakyi went into the Spurs box before going to the byline and then cutting back inside and finding the inside left hand corner of the goal, 0-2.

A powerful effort from Markanday inside the Crystal Palace box was well saved by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth, before the ball came to Clarke, whose effort was cleared onto the post by defender Jack Wells-Morrison. Oluwayemi did well to tip over Jesuran Rak-Sakyi’s effort over his goal, before Rob Street headed over a corner kick from Scott Banks, and then a couple of minutes later Devine tracked back to make an excellent challenge on Street inside the Spurs box. Crystal Palace made it 3-0 in the 24th minute of the game. After winning the ball off of Marqes Muir in defence Rob Street took the ball into the Spurs box before then curling the ball in off the post, and into the the right hand corner of the goal. David Omilabu whipped a promising ball across the face of the Spurs goal, but Spurs tried to respond. After Clarke had won a free-kick in a promising position, Harvey White had a curling effort saved by Joe Whitworth. Then Kallum Cesay had a headed effort blocked by Sean Robertson inside the Crystal Palace box. Harvey White had a free-kick from the the right flank gathered by Joe Whitworth, before at the other end of the pitch Joshua Oluwayemi saved really well with his feet from a low effort from Scott Banks inside the Spurs box. Markanday was beginning to really grow into the game, and he had an effort saved by Whitworth, before helping to start the move which led to Spurs getting a goal back.

Markanday passed the ball to Santiago on the left flank, he then entered the Crystal Palace box, and showed some great skill before seeing his cross dropped by Whitworth. Then Devine managed to just get a foot on the ball and direct it into the goal, although Crystal Palace defender Reece Hannam may well have got the final touch on the ball. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time soon afterwards. Crystal Palace got the second half underway and it was the home team who had the first chance of the goal. Jake O’Brien’s header from a corner kick was saved by Oluwayemi. Nile John then had an effort blocked, before Alfie Devine’s deflected effort from just outside the Crystal Palace box went just wide of the goal. Hannam blocked behind Markanday’s shot inside the Crystal Palace box, and then as Spurs continued to play well Devine headed Harvey White’s corner kick towards goal, but Whitworth was able to save. Nile John’s effort on goal was saved before Dilan Markanday got Spurs’ second goal of the game. The Spurs winger had a shot blocked before managing to latch onto the loose ball inside the Crystal Palace box. He then powerfully hit the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 2-3. Less than two minutes later Spurs got an equaliser. Santiago passed the ball to Markanday out on the right flank, he then skilfully worked his way into the Crystal Palace box, before cutting the ball back for Kallum Cesay on the edge of the box. Cesay’s side footed first time effort on his right foot found the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 3-3.

After receiving Santiago’s pass inside the Crystal Palace box Nile John had a low effort saved by Whitworth. A Crystal Palace free-kick in a really promising position on the edge of the Spurs box, resulted in Scott Banks stepping up to take it. The midfielder curled a really good effort up and over the Spurs wall and into the top right hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 3-4. An excellent challenge by Jay Rich-Baghuelou on Markanday inside the Crystal Palace box stopped Spurs from drawing level again. At the other end of the pitch Markanday cleared well from a Crystal Palace cross. John was shown a yellow card for stopping a Crystal Palace counter attack, and then Michael Craig came on to replace Jack Clarke. After latching onto a through-ball from Scott Banks, Rob Street hit the ball over the Spurs goal, after having been through on goal. Markanday had a shot blocked inside the Crystal Palace box, before Crystal Palace had a chance to extend their lead. A headed effort was cleared off the line, after Oluwayemi was unable to gather a corner kick. Yago Santiago then won a free-kick on the edge of the Crystal Palace box, which Harvey White curled narrowly over. Maksim Paskotši came on to replace Yago Santiago for the latter stages of the game. Markanday had another shot blocked inside the Crystal Palace box, before Cesay headed wide from a cross from the 20 year old. The referee then sounded his whistle a couple of minutes later. Spurs’ next game at this level is on the 18th of October, against West Ham United in the Premier League 2.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper made a decent number of saves, including a very good and impressive one with his feet during the first half.
• Matthew Craig: The right-back often stayed deep to help out the defence, and he didn’t often get forward too much during the game.
• Marqes Muir: The 18 year old centre-half played as a right sided centre-half against Crystal Palace. Muir liked to bring the ball out of defence, alongside Tobi Omole.
• Tobi Omole: The left sided centre-half made some good forward passes, and like Marqes Muir he liked to bring the ball out from the defence.
• Kallum Cesay: The left-back for this game took his goal really well, and he also went on some fine runs both with and without the ball down the left flank.
• Harvey White: The Spurs captain was playing as the deepest of the two midfielders against Crystal Palace, and I thought that his passing was good.
• Nile John: Trying his luck on goal on occasions, the central midfielder got into some good positions both inside and around the Crystal Palace box.
• Jack Clarke: Starting the game really well and having a strong first half, where he liked to try and take on players for pace and skill, Jack Clarke later switched flanks with Dilan Markanday in the second half.
• Alfie Devine: Once again playing as a CAM, Alfie Devine’s tremendous work rate helped the team out a lot. Devine got another goal for Spurs, to get Spurs back into the game, and he also came quite close to getting a second in the second half.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Yago Santiago: The Spurs centre-forward led the line well I thought. He showed good skill and also pressed the defence well. He played a big part in helping to create our opening goal of the game.
• Michael Craig: The second half substitute played in midfield after being introduced to the game. 
• Maksim Paskotši: The Estonia international slotted into the back four after he came on late on in the game.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. Without doubt Spurs’ most influential player against Crystal Palace, winger Dilan Markanday got a goal and assist for the second game this week. He played well in the first half, but during the second half the 20 year old really helped to get Spurs back into the game. Creating and scoring our second goal of the game by himself after switching flanks with Jack Clarke, Dilan then created Kallum Cesay’s goal to make it 3-3, after taking the ball into the Crystal Palace box and then passing the ball to Cesay.

Spurs’ Under 23 side played their latest Premier League 2 match on Monday night, when they faced Derby County at the Lamex Stadium, in Stevenage. Wayne Burnett’s side won 3-1 against Derby County, and it was a deserved win for Spurs despite Derby improving in the second half. Joshua Oluwayemi started in goal, while a back four consisting of Kallum Cesay, Marqes Muir, Tobi Omole and Marcel Lavinier lined up in front of him. Captain Harvey White and Nile John started in central midfield. Dilan Markanday and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Dane Scarlett led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game started and it was from their first real attack of the game that they took the lead. After Nile John received the ball quite far out from the Derby penalty area he went on a surging forward run. He eventually took the ball to edge of the Derby box before hitting the ball well and into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 1-0. Tobi Omole cleared a promising cross into the Spurs box shortly after the game got started again, before Max Bardell headed the ball onto the Spurs crossbar a couple of minutes later from a corner. Jack Clarke hit a free-kick over the Derby goal, just before Spurs doubled their lead in the 20th minute of the game. Jack Clarke’s good lofted pass managed to find Dilan Markanday out on the right flank. He travelled forward with the ball towards the edge of the Derby box, before finding the bottom right hand corner of the goal with a powerful low effort, 2-0.

A low cross/shot from Devine on the left was gathered by Derby goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes, before a Harvey White free-kick found Jack Clarke inside the Derby box. Clarke’s resulting effort was cleared off the line, before the ball came to Marqes Muir, but his powerful effort was then saved by Foulkes. Derby got a goal back in the 27th minute of the game. A ball over the top to Connor Dixon resulted in him entering the Spurs box before squaring the ball for Luke Plange, who finished past Oluwayemi and into the goal from a first time effort, 2-1. Nile John had an effort saved by Foulkes inside the Derby box, and then a couple of moments later he had an effort blocked. After receiving Marcel Lavinier’s low cross Devine had a low effort saved by Foulkes, in what was the final piece of action from the first half. Derby got the second half underway but Spurs had made a half-time change as Dane Scarlett had been replaced by Yago Santiago. A Derby player had an effort blocked before another Derby forward then hit an effort just wide of Oluwayemi’s goal. Dilan Markanday’s cross from the right flank was met well by Yago Santiago inside the centre of the Derby box, but his first time effort was well saved by Harrison Foulkes. At the other end of the pitch and after latching onto the ball down the left side of the Spurs box Reece Hutchinson hit an effort just wide of the Spurs goal. 

Tobi Omole received a yellow card before Jordan Brown hit the resulting free-kick wide of the Spurs goal. Luke Plange had an effort well saved by Oluwayemi, and then at the other end of the pitch John hit Devine’s cross from the right flank wide. Harvey White had a volleyed effort cleared behind, while a couple of minutes later Connor Dixon hit a free-kick into the Spurs wall. Dilan Markanday had an effort well blocked inside the Derby box as the game continued to be open. Oluwayemi dealt very well with a good Derby cross into the Spurs box, and then Spurs went forward – with Lavinier finding Markanday in the Derby box, but his powerful low effort was well saved by Foulkes. However, Spurs secured all three points through Alfie Devine. Jack Clarke had a cross into the Derby box cleared, but only to Santiago, who passed the ball to Markanday. He went past a Derby defender really well before squaring the ball to Devine, who controlled the ball well before finishing into the back of the net, 3-1. Matthew Craig replaced Jack Clarke, before Spurs came close to getting a fourth goal. Santiago received Lavinier’s pass inside the Derby box, he then gave it to Harvey White, who had made a really good run, but his effort was saved by Foulkes. Harvey White then had a late effort blocked by Max Bardell, in what was the final piece of action from the game. Spurs’ next game at this level is on Friday, when they face Crystal Palace at their training ground in the Premier League 2.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: Commanding his penalty area well once again, Joshua Oluwayemi didn’t have too many saves to make, but he dealt well with crosses and set-pieces.
• Kallum Cesay: Once again going on some good and skilful runs, Kallum Cesay played at right-back against Derby.
• Marqes Muir: Strong in the air and working well alongside Tobi Omole again in central defence, Marqes Muir worked very hard again against Derby, and he was tested a lot more in the second half of the match.
• Tobi Omole: The left sided centre-half showed good experience in situations against Derby. 
• Marcel Lavinier: Playing at left-back for this match, Marcel Lavinier wasn’t afraid to go forward to support Jack Clarke in the final third.
• Harvey White: The Spurs captain played as the most deep-lying midfielder, but he made some good and ambitious forward passes. The 20 year old also made one good late run into the box to receive the ball, but was unlucky not to score.
• Nile John: Taking his early goal really well and showing good skill on the ball throughout. This was another good and direct performance from the first year professional.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Alfie Devine: The CAM’s work-rate and desire to press the defence was very impressive. Devine was never stood still and he was always looking to receive the ball, but he once again drifted out wide and made some clever runs into the Derby box. Devine took his late goal well.
• Jack Clarke: Setting up Dilan Markanday for his goal by making a good lofted pass, throughout the game whenever Clarke received the ball he was always very direct and enthusiastic.
• Dane Scarlett: The centre-forward led the line well, held the ball up well and also worked hard inside the Derby half.
• Yago Santiago: During the second half the substitute made some clever runs off the ball and he also came close to scoring early on in the half.
• Matthew Craig: The late substitute played in central midfield and showed good enthusiasm on the pitch, and was always looking to pass the ball forward.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. While the winger was once again very good going forward, I was very impressed again with his tireless tracking back and also the good challenges that he made. Markanday took his goal really well and also went past a Derby defender with great skill to set-up Alfie Devine for his goal. Unlucky not to extend his goal tally during the game, this was yet another very good performance from the player from Barnet. I really do hope that he starts for Spurs’ first team on Thursday night against NŠ Mura.

Spurs’ Under 18 side hosted fellow London side West Ham United at Hotspur Way in a league meeting on Saturday morning. Spurs won what was a very lively match 3-0, with Jamie Donley, Jaden Williams and Rio Kyerematen getting Spurs’ goals. Spurs lined up with Thimothée Lo-Tutala in goal, while Maxwell McKnight, Alfie Dorrington, Archie Chaplin and Will Andiyapan lined up in defence. Captain Dante Cassanova and Rio Kyerematen started in central midfield, and Khalon Haysman and Renaldo Torraj started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the match underway. Renaldo Torraj headed away an early headed effort on the Spurs goal before Alfie Dorrington blocked Regan Clayton’s effort inside the Spurs penalty area. Divin Mubama headed just over the Spurs goal from a cross, as West Ham started the game well. However, Spurs took the lead in the 14th minute of the game through Jamie Donley. Maxwell McKnight’s lofted pass over the top of the West Ham defence set Donley through on goal, and with the West Ham goalkeeper off his line the Northern Ireland Under 19 international decided to try a lobbed effort on goal. Donley’s looping effort went over the West Ham goalkeeper and bounced into the back of the goal, 1-0. Not long afterwards Regan Clayton lost the ball just outside of the West Ham box, and Jaden Williams was there to receive the ball, enter the West Ham box and finish low past Jacob Knightbridge and into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 2-0.

Lo-Tutala saved a free-kick from Archie Woods before Archie Chaplin lost the ball to Woods, who then hit an effort across the face of the Spurs goal. Dante Cassanova had an effort blocked before George Earthy hit an effort over from the edge of the Spurs box. After Jaden Williams had won the ball off of Archie Woods he tried to catch the goalkeeper off his line from distance, but his effort went wide. Donley had a headed effort saved from Khalon Haysman’s cross, before the final piece of action of the half saw Renaldo Torraj latch onto McKnight’s cross inside the West Ham box. The Spurs wingers resulting effort hit against the woodwork. West Ham got the second half underway. Khalon Haysman was shown a yellow card for a challenge, before Maxwell McKnight was also shown a yellow card a couple of minutes later. Substitute Gideon Kadua had an effort well saved by Lo-Tutala from close range, in what was West Ham’s best chance of the game so far. Jacob Knightbridge tipped behind Haysman’s curling effort inside the West Ham box, and then from the following corner kick Rio Kyerematen met Dante Cassanova’s very good ball into the box, and headed it past the West Ham goalkeeper, despite his best efforts, 3-0. Jamie Donley was shown a yellow card shortly after the restart, and then a couple of moments later Will Andiyapan prevented Gideon Kadua from being through on goal, by making a very good and well timed challenge.

Renaldo Torraj had an effort blocked, and then Spurs made their first change of the game as George Abbott came on to replace Renaldo Torraj. Abbott was fouled soon after coming on, by Asher Falase, who was shown his second yellow card of the match and sent off. Thomas Bloxham replaced Khalon Haysman a couple of minutes before Jaden Williams headed an effort just over the West Ham goal from Dante Cassanova’s corner kick. Lo-Tutala saved well from Gideon Kadua’s headed effort, before Maxwell McKnight came off to be replaced by Jahziah Linton. A long ball over the top allowed Gideon Kadua to be through on goal, but his low effort went wide of the goal. Regan Clayton then hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance, before at the other end of the pitch Williams cut the ball back inside the West Ham box for substitute George Abbott, but his effort went wide. George Earthy hit a late effort over, before Dorrington headed over Cassanova’s free-kick, in what was the final piece of action from the game. Spurs’ next game at this level is away to West Brom in the league – next Saturday.

Player reviews:

• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: Making a couple of good and important saves and commanding his box well, I thought that the France Under 19 international had a good game.
• Maxwell McKnight: The right-back got the assist for Spurs’ opening goal of the game after making a good pass over the top of the West Ham defence to set-up Jamie Donley. McKnight played well today and also got forward well too.
• Alfie Dorrington: It was an assertive performance from the right-sided centre-half. Dorrington was good in the air, kept good positioning throughout the game and also made some good challenges as well.
• Archie Chaplin: My man of the match, see below.
• Will Andiyapan: Starting at left-back and then later switching to right-back for the latter stages of the game, Wales Under 17 international Will Andiyapan had another good and solid game. Andiyapan made a really important and courageous challenge to stop Gideon Kadua from being through on goal during the second half.
• Dante Cassanova: The Spurs captain impressed with his excellent deliveries from set-pieces today, and the midfielder also played well in the central areas of the pitch. 
• Rio Kyerematen: The midfielder went on some good forward runs through the middle off the pitch, worked hard off the ball and also took his second half goal well.
• Khalon Haysman: Playing out of position out on the right flank against West Ham – Khalon Haysman got stuck in defensively, tracked back well and also got forward well with the ball on occasions.
• Jamie Donley: Showing good skill on the ball Jamie Donley took his first half goal excellently. Donley made some good passes and runs into good areas of the pitch, and he pressed the defence really well. 
• Renaldo Torraj: Making some good forward runs off the ball, left-winger for the match Renaldo Torraj came very close to scoring just before half-time.
• Jaden Williams: The Spurs centre-forward led the line really well again. Williams took his goal well, moved well off the ball and came close to scoring more goals on the day.
• George Abbott: The second half substitute was lively out on the left flank and he came close to scoring during his time on the pitch.
• Thomas Bloxham: The second half substitute went out to play on the right flank, where he was forward thinking whenever he received the ball.
• Jahziah Linton: The late substitute filled in at left-back for Spurs on Saturday.

My man of the match: Archie Chaplin. Carrying on from his impressive performance against Reading two weeks ago, central defender and schoolboy footballer Archie Chaplin did well once again for the Spurs Under 18 side today. Like Alfie Dorringotn he was assertive in defence, kept good positioning and passed the ball out well from the back. Early on in the game Chaplin made an important challenge to stop a West Ham forward from being through on goal, and he also made some more tackles during the game, as him and Dorrington complimented each other well. I was impressed with how he has stepped up to play for Spurs at this level, and hopefully he’ll start again against West Brom next Saturday.

Spurs’ Development side played their second group game of this seasons Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night, when they faced League One side Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium. Wayne Burnett’s side played well against Cambridge United, and they probably created the better chances. However, Sam Smith’s goal in the 72nd minute of the game won it for Cambridge. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Matthew Craig, Marqes Muir, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay started in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Harvey White started in central midfield, and Dilan Markanday and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Alfie Devine led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a cool evening, but it was Cambridge who had the first real chance of the game. A long ball over the top of the Spurs defence resulted in Jack Lankester being able to get inside the Spurs box, with the ball, but Oluwayemi came close to the Cambridge player, made himself big and made the save, before the ball was put out of play. Oluwayemi then gathered a low cross from George Williams on the right flank before Spurs managed their first effort on target of the game. Devine passed the ball to Harvey White on the edge of the Cambridge penalty area, and he tried his luck with a powerful and awkward effort for the goalkeeper to deal with. Kai McKenzie-Lyle did manage to save the Spurs midfielder’s effort though.

After receiving the ball and turning with it Dilan Markanday brought the ball forward at pace. He then passed the ball to Devine inside the Cambridge box, but the second year scholars effort on goal was saved. Matthew Craig blocked Ben Worman’s effort well on the edge of the Spurs box, and then a couple of moments later George Williams saw his deflected effort tipped behind by Oluwayemi. After connecting with Ben Worman’s corner kick Lloyd Jones saw his headed effort blocked, before then hitting the ball over the Spurs goal. Devine then had a low effort saved by McKenzie-Lyle, before Markanday had an effort blocked after going on a good run forward. Spurs were playing well and after Harvey White found Dilan Markanday in a good position on the right flank the very skilful Spurs winger showed great skill to enter the Cambridge box, but he didn’t connect with the ball how he would of hoped, and his effort went across the face of the goal and wide. Alfie Devine then had an effort blocked, and then a couple of minutes later he had a headed effort saved from a Matthew Craig cross. Oluwayemi was shown a yellow card for an off the ball incident just before half-time, and then Sam Smith hit an effort across the Spurs goal, before Jensen Weir then hit it over, in what turned out to be the last effort of the first half. 

Cambridge United got the second half underway. After receiving Nile John’s pass inside the Cambridge box Alfie Devine hit the ball over the goal. After showing some great skill inside the Cambridge penalty area Dilan Markanday then had an effort blocked, before the ball then came to John, who also had an effort blocked. Matthew Craig blocked behind an effort at the other end, before Dilan Markanday hit an effort wide from the edge of the Cambridge box. Oluwayemi did well to save an effort from the edge of the Spurs box a couple of minutes later, before out of nothing Markanday created a great chance. After receiving the ball around the halfway line he brought the ball forward at pace, showing great skill to enter the Cambridge box. He eventually had an effort blocked, but the ball then came to a Jack Clarke, who curled his effort wide of the goal. Marqes Muir then did well to stop a promising Cambridge move. Spurs captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster was replaced by Yago Santiago, who took up the centre-forwards position. Despite Spurs’ excellent defensive work throughout the game, they conceded what turned out to be the Cambridge winner in the 72nd minute of the match. A cross from the left flank was met by Jack Lankester inside the Spurs, and his volleyed effort was headed past Oluwayemi by Sam Smith, 0-1.

A Cambridge United forward then curled over an effort from the edge of the Spurs box, before Nile John had an effort saved by McKenzie-Lyle inside the Spurs box, after receiving Markanday’s pass. Spurs then had an excellent late chance, as Alfie Devine hit Jack Clarke’s cross into the side netting of the Cambridge goal at the back post from close range, leaving him clearly very disappointed. Kallum Cesay replaced Michael Craig for the final minutes of the game, as it finished 1-0 to the home side. Spurs’ next game at this level is at home to Derby County in the Premier League 2, on Monday.

Player reviews: 

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper did well against Cambridge United. Oluwayemi was particularly impressive in how he dealt with crosses.
• Matthew Craig: Despite playing out of position this was a very good performance at right back from Matthew Craig. The 18 year old defended really well down his side of the pitch and made some really good tackles. Craig also kept very good positioning throughout the match.
• Marqes Muir: Keeping good positioning and defending well alongside Tobi Omole in central-defence, Marqes Muir put in another solid performance for Spurs.
• Tobi Omole: The more experienced of the two central defenders, Tobi Omole and Marqes Muir complimented each other well in defence, and like Marqes Muir I thought that Tobi had a good game.
• Kallum Cesay: Bringing the ball forward well down the left flank and getting into good forward positions, the full-back showed some good quality on the ball.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Playing the game at a good intensity in central midfield, Spurs captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster made some good passes along with Harvey White early on in the game. Lyons-Foster kept good positioning, as always, and also made some good interceptions.
• Harvey White: The midfielder impressed with his passing and positioning, and once again playing further forward in midfield allowed him to get on the ball a lot more, and also to try and create chances as well.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below. 
• Nile John: Playing as the CAM for Spurs, midfielder Nile John made some good runs into the Cambridge box and showed good skill on the ball.
• Jack Clarke: Playing on the left flank for this match, Jack Clarke looked to get on the ball whenever he could, and he also worked hard off it as well.
• Alfie Devine: Making some clever runs off the ball, Alfie Devine was unlucky not to have scored a couple of goals on Tuesday. His movement was good, and he would often drop deep to get on the ball to try and make things happen.
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute came on to play as the centre-forward for Spurs.
• Michael Craig: The late substitute came on and played in midfield. 

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. The winger went on many excellent runs forward with the ball from the right flank, and he was without doubt Spurs’ most creative player against Cambridge United. Markanday showed some fantastic skill on the ball, worked hard off it and deserved a goal for the quality of his performance. The 20 year old seems to be getting better and better by each game that he plays. He has been outstanding so far this season.

Spurs’ Under 23 side traveled up to County Lancashire to face Blackburn Rovers at the LFA County Ground, in the Premier League 2 on Friday night. Wayne Burnett’s side had gone 2-0 up during a fascinating first half, which ended up being 3-2 to Spurs. The game however, ended up finishing 3-3, after Harvey White had a late penalty kick saved. Joshua Oluwayemi started in goal for Spurs, while a back four consisting of Matthew Craig, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay lined up in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Harvey White started in central midfield, and Jack Clarke and Alfie Devine started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Dilan Markanday returned to lead the line for Spurs. It was Wayne Burnett’s side who got the game started, and it was Spurs who created the first real chance of the game. After John went on a surging forward run with the ball, the midfielder passed it to Devine, down the left hand side of the Blackburn penalty area. However, Devine ended up hitting the ball over the goal from a promising position. Malachi Fagan-Walcott blocked behind Connor McBride’s effort from inside the Spurs box, before at the opposite end of the pitch Nile John hit a low effort wide from distance. A good run into the Spurs box by left-back Lenni Cirino ended in him hitting a low effort wide of Oluwayemi’s near post. Devine then had an effort blocked by a Blackburn defender, before Spurs took the lead in the 14th minute of the game.

Dilan Markanday brought the ball into the Blackburn penalty area down the right hand side. He was then tackled by a defender, and the ball ended up coming to John, who went past an opposition player well before powerfully finding the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 1-0. Jared Harlock volleyed over Luke Brennan’s cross from inside the Spurs box as the home side looked to respond. Markanday was then shown a rather harsh yellow card (in my opinion) for being deemed to have fouled Sam Durrant, and stopping a promising move. After picking the ball up out on the right flank Jack Clarke looked up before crossing the ball into the Blackburn box, where he managed to pick out Harvey White in a central area. The Spurs midfielder connected well with the ball, and his looping headed effort ended up beating goalkeeper Antonis Stergiakis, and going into the bottom left hand corner of his goal, 2-0. Shortly after the game got started again and after Harvey White received Tobi Omole’s pass, he tried his luck with a powerful effort from distance, which was well saved by Stergiakis. A couple of minutes later the ball was given to Harvey White inside the Blackburn box, but he curled his effort over the goal. After a Spurs player gave away the ball in a good position for the home side, Lyons-Foster was forced to make a sliding challenge to try and win the ball off of McBride. However, the referee thought that he didn’t get the ball and booked him and awarded a free kick against Spurs, much to the Spurs midfielders’ disbelief.

34 year old Blackburn Rovers captain Bradley Johnson stepped up to hit a powerful low effort beyond Oluwayemi and into the bottom right hand corner of the Spurs goal, 2-1. Clarke was shown a yellow card for a foul on Lenni Cirino, before a free-kick for the home side ended up coming into the Spurs box, but Oluwayemi was able to stop McBride’s effort on goal. Then after Oluwayemi came but missed the ball when trying to gather from a corner kick, the ball eventually came to George Pratt, who was fouled by Malachi Fagan-Walcott, who claimed that he had got the ball. However, the referee ended up pointing to the spot and Fagan-Walcott and also Devine were shown yellow cards. Connor McBride stepped up to tuck the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 2-2. Spurs responded well though, and after John won a free-kick right on the edge of the Blackburn penalty area, Harvey White curled the ball right onto the crossbar. Alfie Devine nodded wide Jack Clarke’s free-kick, before Oluwayemi gathered Luke Brennan’s cross at the opposite end of the pitch. However, in the fifth minute of first half added time a Harvey White corner kick was headed on by Devine to Tobi Omole inside the Blackburn penalty area, and he managed to put the ball past Stergiakis and into the back of the net. It was to be the final piece of action from the first half.

The home side got the second half underway. Oluwayemi did well to stop Sam Burns from scoring inside the Spurs box, before Brennan hit the ball over down the left side of the Spurs box. Harvey White had an effort blocked and then Jared Harlock had an effort from distance saved by Oluwayemi. Lyons-Foster importantly put behind Luke Brennan’s promising cross into the Spurs box, before Oluwayemi then saved Cirino’s effort on goal. Sam Burns then ended up running all the way into the Spurs box before hitting his effort wide of the goal. Markanday then hit an effort wide from the edge of the Blackburn box, at the other end of the pitch. Blackburn managed to get the equaliser on 67 minutes, but they were quite fortunate. Substitute Adam Wharton’s effort on goal was saved by Oluwayemi, but the ball ended up bouncing off of Omole and into the back of the Spurs goal, 3-3. John showed some nice skill before powerfully hitting the ball across the face of the Blackburn goal, but he was then booked moments later after the referee thought that he had gone down to easily inside the Blackburn box from a challenge. Yago Santiago came on to replace Jack Clarke. A Blackburn player ended up giving the ball to Markanday on the edge of the Blackburn box, but his curling effort was well saved by Stergiakis. Rafferty Pedder replaced Nile John, and then Fagan-Walcott did well to clear Luke Brennan’s cross into the Spurs box.

The newly introduced Yago Santiago did really well to work his way into the Blackburn box, before crossing the ball for Markanday, whose first time effort was stopped from going in by the hand of Lenni Cirino, who was subsequently sent off, and a penalty kick was awarded for Spurs. Harvey White stepped up, but his effort to the goalkeepers right was well saved by Stergiakis. Devine then headed Harvey White’s following corner kick into the side netting, before Blackburn had two very late chances to win the game. First of all Sam Burns hit an effort against Oluwayemi’s near post, before another player from the home side hit an effort just wide from the edge of the Spurs box, in what was the final piece of action from the game. Spurs’ next game at this level is against senior opposition in Cambridge United on Tuesday night, in the Papa Johns’ Trophy.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper made some important saves on the night, and overall I thought that he did well.
• Matthew Craig: The right-back often stayed deep down the right flank to defend against Blackburn winger Luke Brennan. 
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The right sided centre-half made some good blocks and clearances.
• Tobi Omole: Omole scored our third goal of the game, but defensively both him and Malachi Fagan-Walcott helped to keep centre-forward Connor McBride generally quite quiet.
• Kallum Cesay: Like Matthew Craig on the opposite flank, Kallum Cesay often stayed deep during the game.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Starting the match as a four in central midfield, Spurs’ captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster demonstrated good leadership skills. Often seen pointing things out to his teammates, Lyons-Foster’s  defensive performance allowed Harvey White to get forward a lot more. However, Lyons-Foster did make some important defensive interventions during the match.
• Harvey White: My man of the match, see below.
• Jack Clarke: Very direct and good at tracking back, winger Jack Clarke set-up Harvey White for his goal with a fine cross into the Blackburn penalty area. Clarke showed good pace, and was always looking to take defenders on down the right flank.
• Nile John: One of our best players on Friday, CAM Nile John took his early goal really well, and he really demonstrated his quality on the ball when going on forward runs.
• Alfie Devine: The Spurs left-winger once again made some good runs off the ball, but he was especially potent from corner-kicks. Devine got the assist for Tobi Omole’s goal, and on another day he could have scored a couple of goals from corners.
• Dilan Markanday: Like Alfie Devine out on the left flank, centre-forward Dilan Markanday moved well off the ball. He helped to create our opening goal of the game and also had what would have been the winner denied, because of a handball from Lenni Cirino.
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute went on one really clever run into the Blackburn box late on in the game to set-up Dilan Markanday for his late chance.
• Rafferty Pedder: The late substitute came on to play in the CAM role in the final minutes of the game.

My man of the match: Harvey White. On another day the Spurs midfielder could have scored five goals. The Maidstone born player passed the ball about well, was willing to make good forward runs off the ball, took his headed goal well and also came very close to scoring (including the late penalty miss) on quite a few other occasions. However, this was another strong performance from Harvey.

Wayne Burnett’s Spurs Under 23 side welcomed Liverpool to The Lamex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in what was their fourth Premier League 2 match of the new season. Spurs deservedly won the match 2-1, and on another day they could have won it by a lot more. Joshua Oluwayemi started in goal while a back four of Matthew Craig, Marqes Muir, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Kallum Cesay lined up in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Harvey White started in midfield, and Jack Clarke and Alfie Devine started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Yago Santiago led the line in the absence of Dilan Markanday and Dane Scarlett. Liverpool got the game underway, and it was actually from their first real chance of the game that they took the lead. Kaide Gordon received a long pass out to him on the right flank, and the winger then came inside before finding the bottom right hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, despite the Spurs goalkeeper managing to get a hand on the ball, 0-1. Spurs tried to respond, and Jack Clarke hit an effort wide across the face of the Liverpool goal from the right hand side of the Liverpool box. Then Mateusz Musialowski hit an effort narrowly wide of Oluwayemi’s goal from just outside of the Spurs box. Spurs came close again to getting an equaliser though, as Clarke received Nile John’s pass down the right side of the Liverpool box, but again he hit the ball just wide, across the face of the goal.

Harvey White had an effort from a free-kick deflected behind, and then from Harvey White’s following corner kick Alfie Devine managed to meet the ball, but his header was pushed onto the crossbar by Marcelo Pitaluga. After a great run from Yago Santiago, which saw him go past Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio, the former Celta Vigo player had an effort on goal saved by Pitaluga, before Devine hit the ball over the goal from close range on the half volley. A brilliant forward run from left-back Kallum Cesay ended in him having an effort on goal blocked by Dominic Corness, before Spurs finally managed to get their equaliser. Nile John passed the ball to Devine, who managed to work his way towards the edge of the Liverpool box, before then powerfully hitting the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 1-1. Clarke then had an effort blocked behind before a good move which started with the former Leeds United player passing the ball to Santiago on the right flank, ended with Santiago’s cross being met by John in the Liverpool box. However, his effort was saved by Marcelo Pitaluga, in what was the final piece of action from the first half. Spurs got the second half underway, and they almost got off to a great start. After Devine found Harvey White down the left of the Liverpool box, the Spurs midfielder hit the ball across the Liverpool goal and just wide.

Lyons-Foster hit a low effort wide from distance, before Jack Clarke had an effort blocked. Oluwayemi was able to save Jack Bearne’s effort at his back post, and then at the other end of the pitch Lyons-Foster headed over Harvey White’s corner kick. Owen Beck then hit the ball over the Spurs goal from distance, before Fagan-Walcott blocked Tyler Morton’s low effort on goal. Rafferty Pedder came on to replace Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, and went up front as Yago Santiago replaced Michael Craig. Kallum Cesay was shown a yellow card by the referee, before Rafferty Pedder was given the ball by Tyler Morton, and he went forward with it towards the edge of the Liverpool box, but ended up hitting the ball over the goal. Jack Clarke was shown a yellow card as Spurs went in search of the winner, and that winner came almost ten minutes from the end. Alfie Devine managed to latch onto Jack Clarke’s through-ball pass. Devine entered the Liverpool box where he was met by Marcelo Pitaluga, but he showed great composure in front of goal to just deftly put the ball over the Liverpool goalkeeper and into the back of the goal, 2-1. Devine had a very late effort deflected behind for a corner kick, in what was the final piece of action of the game. Next up for Spurs is a trip up to Lancashire to face Blackburn Rovers next Friday. I will be attending that game.

Player reviews: 

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper really didn’t have that much to do against Liverpool apart from one important save that he made in the first half of the game.
• Matthew Craig: Despite playing out of position at right-back, midfielder Matthew Craig did well in my opinion against winger Mateusz Musialowski, during his time on the pitch.
• Marqes Muir: The right sided centre-half read the game well and also dealt well with Liverpool centre-forward Max Woltman, alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: A composed but assertive defensive performance from the left sided centre-half on Saturday against Liverpool, made it difficult for the Liverpool forwards on the day.
• Kallum Cesay: Playing at left-back Kallum Cesay got forward really well down the left-flank, and some of his very skilful forward runs were excellent.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The Spurs captain in my opinion did very well in central midfield. His passing and positioning was good, and he protected the defence well during his time on the pitch.
• Harvey White: The midfielders passing from midfield was as good as always, and also he made some clever forward runs from midfield, and came very close to scoring a goal at the beginning of the second half.
• Jack Clarke: This was another good performance from Jack Clarke on the right flank. Clarke was direct with the ball, showed some good pace and skill with it and also tracked back well. Clarke got the assist for Alfie Devine’s winning goal.
• Nile John: The CAM completed most of the game, and he went on some good forward runs with the ball. John got the assist for Alfie Devine’s first goal of the game.
• Alfie Devine: My man of the match, see below.
• Yago Santiago: Playing as a centre-forward, Yago Santiago pressed the Liverpool defenders excellently during his time on the pitch. He also showed nice skill on the ball, and traveled forward well with it.
• Rafferty Pedder: The second half substitute went to play at centre-forward, and apart from the chance which he had, which he created, I thought that he worked really hard off the ball.
• Michael Craig: The midfielder came on to fill in for Brooklyn Lyons-Foster in midfield, and he stopped one potentially good chance for the away side during his time on the pitch.
• Maksim Paskotši: The defender came on during the final minutes of the game to replace Nile John.

My man of the match: Alfie Devine. The midfielder turned left-winger for Saturday’s match, had a very good game against Liverpool. Devine’s movement off the ball and runs behind the Liverpool defence on occasions were quality, and he took both of his goals on the day excellently well. Devine worked hard of the ball as well, but he showed great quality on it, even though he was playing out of position.

Spurs’ Under 18 side played their fourth league match of the new season on Saturday, when they hosted Reading at Hotspur Way. Head coach Stuart Lewis saw his side dramatically score a very late winner to win 3-2 on the day, after having previously been 2-0 up. Spurs started with Adam Hayton in goal, while a back four consisting of Renaldo Torraj, Alfie Dorrington, Archie Chaplin and Jahziah Linton lined up in front of him. Spurs captain Dante Cassanova and Khalon Haysman started in midfield, and Sam Amo and Riley Owen started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway and after Riley Owen was able to bring the ball into the Reading box early on in the game, it looked like he was going to give Spurs the lead. However, Reading’s right-back Sam Paul managed to take the ball off of him at the vital moment. After receiving David Nyarko’s pass inside the Spurs box Hamid Abdel-Salam hit an effort over Adam Hayton’s goal. A really powerful effort from distance from Jamie Donley was stopped well by Reading goalkeeper Matthew Rowley, before a clearance from Alfie Dorrington at the other end of the pitch came to Caylan Vickers. However, his effort on goal was saved by Hayton. 

Renaldo Torraj cleared Sam Paul’s cross well inside the Spurs box, and then Cassanova had a free-kick saved by Rowley shortly after. Khalon Haysman hit a powerful effort wide from the edge of the Reading box, but a couple of minutes later Spurs did take the lead. Cassanova had an effort on goal blocked by a Reading defender, with the ball then coming to Renaldo Torraj, who hit a really powerful effort on goal from outside the Reading box, and the ball went past Rowley and into the goal, 1-0. After Donley conceded a free-kick in a promising position for Reading, the visitors looked to make the most of it. Reading captain Benjamin Purcell played the ball short to Caylan Vickers in the Spurs box, but Hayton saved his effort well. Then and after receiving Caylan Vickers’ pass down the right side of the Spurs box, Harry Murphy tried his luck on goal, but his effort across the goal was really well saved by Hayton. After receiving Jamie Donley’s pass, Jaden Williams was through on goal just inside the Reading half. Williams continued forward with the ball before being met by the outrushing Reading goalkeeper, who initially blocked his effort on goal. However, the ball fell kindly for Williams, who went past Rowley this time and was through on goal. He went all the way into the oppositions penalty area, but Reading defender Kelvin Abrefa had sprinted the length of the pitch to take the ball off of him quite spectacularly, just as he was about to tuck the ball home.

Williams nodded wide Owen’s corner kick, before at the other end of the pitch Abraham Kanu headed wide from Caylan Vickers’ corner kick. After receiving Donley’s pass down the left of the Reading box Riley Owen was in a good position to score, but unfortunately his effort went over the Reading goal. Not long before half-time however, Spurs doubled their lead after Donley’s forward ball was latched onto by Jaden Williams, who ran into the Reading box before finishing low past Rowley and into the back of the goal, 2-0. The half-time whistle was sounded by the referee not long afterwards. Reading got the second half underway, but it was Spurs who had the first chance of the half. Linton passed the ball to Haysman, who had a low effort saved by Rowley. A couple of moments later Reading got a goal back. Substitute Aston Greaver passed the ball to David Nyarko down the right hand side of the Spurs box, he then saw his effort on goal saved by Hayton, but the ball then ended up coming to Jordan Addo Antoine, who tapped home, 2-1. The alert Adam Hayton was able to save David Nyarko’s effort inside the Spurs box, before Spurs went forward down the opposite end of the pitch. Riley Owen managed to pick out Sam Amo inside the Reading box, but he then saw his low effort on goal saved by the Reading goalkeeper.

A lofted pass from Haysman was volleyed wide by Donley inside the Reading box, and then at the other end of the pitch Hayton produced a fine save with his left leg to prevent Aston Greaver from scoring inside the Spurs box. Hayton then saved Kelvin Abrefa’s header from a corner kick, and he did well to hold the ball. Once again Hayton had to be alert, this time to stop David Nyarko’s effort from close range. Sam Amo hit an effort over from range as the game started to become even more end to end. Khalon Haysman was replaced by Rio Kyerematen, before the newly introduced substitute had a low effort saved by the Reading goalkeeper from the edge of the Reading box. Kyerematen then received a clever pass from Donley inside the Reading box, but the midfielder saw his effort on goal saved by Rowley. Owen curled an effort over after cutting inside from the left flank, before Thomas Bloxham replaced Sam Amo out on the right flank. Owen had a curled effort saved by Rowley, and then after receiving Kyerematen’s pass down the left of the Reading box Donley had an effort on goal deflected wide, as Spurs pushed for that all important third goal. Bloxham volleyed wide from Donley’s cross, and then Maxwell McKnight came on to replace Riley Owen, before Renaldo Torraj blocked behind David Nyarko’s effort on goal. Jahziah Linton had an effort on goal blocked by Kelvin Abrefa, but then Reading managed to score a late equaliser.

After receiving the ball inside the Spurs box David Nyarko hit a low effort on the Spurs goal, but his effort deflected off of Chaplin and went in past Hayton, 2-2. With little time left to respond Maxwell McKnight whipped a hopeful but fine cross deep into the Reading box, during the final moments of the game. The ball was met by Jamie Donley, whose really good volleyed effort was saved by Rowley. The ball then came to Kyerematen, who cut the ball back to Williams in the centre of the box. His effort was blocked by Kelvin Abrefa, but the ball came up for Williams to head the ball on goal however, his effort was saved by Rowley. Although the Reading goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Donley running in to volley home the winner for Spurs from close range, 3-2. What followed were great celebrations from the Spurs players, as they had managed to secure their first win of the new season. The referee sounded his whistle for full-time shortly afterwards.

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: The goalkeeper had a fantastic game for Spurs on Saturday. Hayton made numerous excellent saves, and he played a really big part in Spurs managing to get all three points.
• Renaldo Torraj: The scorer of a really well taken goal from distance, right-back Renaldo Torraj joined the forward players well when going forward.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half for this match, the first year scholar made some important clearances, was good in the air and kept good positioning alongside Archie Chaplin.
• Archie Chaplin: Making his competitive Spurs Under 18’s debut yesterday, I thought that defender Archie Chaplin put in a strong defensive performance alongside Alfie Dorrington.
• Jahziah Linton: Like Renaldo Torraj on the opposite flank, left-back Jahziah Linton got forward well whenever he was able to.
• Dante Cassanova: The Spurs captain covered a lot of ground in the central areas of the pitch, as he played in the number four role alongside Khalon Haysman. 
• Khalon Haysman: Playing as a number eight alongside Spurs captain Dante Cassanova, Khalon Haysman was once again always looking to make forward passes, and he also tried his luck on goal on a couple of occasions.
• Sam Amo: Playing out on the right flank, Sam Amo came close to scoring his first goal at this level on his debut, during the second half.
• Jamie Donley: My man of the match, see below.
• Riley Owen: Always positive whenever he received the ball, left-winger Riley Owen looked to take defenders on and also be unpredictable as well with the ball.
• Jaden Williams: The scorer of a well taken goal in the first half, Jaden Williams led the line well, and was lively inside the Reading half. He came very close to scoring the winner during the latter stages of the match, and he seemed to have a very good understanding of the game with CAM Jamie Donley.
• Rio Kyerematen: Creative and direct in the CAM role, substitute Rio Kyerematen brought the ball forward well, and he showed some nice skill as well.
• Thomas Bloxham: Showing some nice skill on the ball, Thomas Bloxham was always looking to be creative whenever he did get on the ball.
• Maxwell McKnight: The defender played a part in Spurs’ winning goal after delivering a good cross into the Reading box from the right flank.

My man of the match: Jamie Donley. The Northern Ireland Under 19 international had an excellent game against Reading on Saturday. The creator of some fine Spurs chances, Donley took responsibility in important situations and his passing on the day was quality. Making some clever runs off the ball, the first year scholar showed great determination against Reading, worked hard off the ball and also got an all important goal (the winner) and assist. Playing really well as a number ten behind centre-forward Jaden Williams, Donley linked up very well with Williams throughout the game, and on another day the forward could have had more goals to his name. Donley has now been involved in five goals (three goals and two assists) from league appearances so far this season.