Spurs’ Under 18 side welcomed Brighton & Hove Albion’s Under 18 side to Hotspur Way on Saturday, for Spurs’ first Under 18 home Premier League South fixture of the season. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side won the game 4-2. In goal for Spurs was Carey Bloedorn, as Leo Black, James Rowswell, captain Archie Chaplin and Maeson King started in defence for Spurs. Tyrese Hall, Kieran Morgan and Mikey Moore started in midfield, with Oliver Irow and Yusuf Akhamrich starting either side of centre-forward Ellis Lehane. Spurs got the game underway. An early pass over the top of the Spurs defence from a Brighton player resulted in Joe Belmont getting on the ball inside the Spurs penalty area. However, Spurs defender James Rowswell made a great sliding recovery challenge/block, as Carey Bloedorn managed to save the effort from Joe Belmont. Spurs responded well however, and on four minutes Spurs took the lead in the game. Tyrese Hall found Mikey Moore on the left side of the Brighton penalty area, and the first year scholar managed to find Ellis Lehane in the centre of the penalty area, and the centre-forward finished from close range, 1-0. Brighton defender Charlie Penman blocked an effort from James Rowswell inside the Brighton box, before Spurs doubled their lead. Leo Black managed to get on the ball on the right side of the Brighton penalty area following a block, and Leo Black managed to find the sliding Ellis Lehane, who scored from close range inside the penalty area, 2-0.

Archie Chaplin did well to stop Joe Knight’s forward pass, before Oliver Irow was found by Mikey Moore, and the Spurs forward had an effort blocked well inside the Brighton box. Leo Black received a yellow card shortly after, before Mikey Moore managed to win a free-kick on the edge of the Brighton penalty area, but his resulting effort went over the goal. Brighton’s Layth Gulzar hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance, and then a couple of moments later Joe Belmont’s headed effort on goal from a free-kick, was really well cleared off the line by Kieran Morgan. At the other end of the pitch Mikey Moore had an effort blocked on the edge of the Brighton box, before Leo Black blocked well from Remeiro Moulton’s effort at the other end of the pitch, moments before Kieran Morgan blocked an effort from the same player. A volleyed effort from Callum Mackley on the edge of the Spurs box was then saved by Bloedorn. After Archie Chaplin had received a yellow card Spurs extended their lead through Yusuf Akhamrich. After Leo Black went forward with the ball he played a pass through to Akhamrich, who went forward with the ball into the Brighton box, before cutting inside with the ball onto his right foot, and finding the goal with an emphatic finish past Lorenzo Ferdinand. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time shortly after. 

Brighton got the second half underway. Ronnie Gorman hit an early effort wide of the Spurs goal, from inside their penalty area. Spurs once again wouldn’t let the visitors settle, and on 53 minutes they further extended their lead. Leo Black passed the ball to Mikey Moore on the left side of the Brighton box, and the very creative winger had an effort saved at his near post by Ferdinand, before getting on  the ball again and finding Oliver Irow at the back post, and the Spurs forward scored a goal with a first time finish, 4-0. Zane Albarus hit an effort over Carey Bloedorn’s goal, just before the Spurs goalkeeper made two good saves in quick succession from Remeiro Moulton, from close range. Callum Mackley then headed an effort from a corner-kick just wide of the Spurs goal. Yusuf Akhamrich hit an effort wide from inside the Brighton box, and Brighton still tried to test Spurs. The impressive James Rowswell blocked Nehemiah Oriola’s effort inside the Spurs box, before the ball came to Callum Mackley, who hit an effort over the goal. Herbie James had replaced Ellis Lehane not that long before Pele Arganese-McDermott had replaced Archie Chaplin in central defence. 

Spurs’ goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn managed to get a hand to Ronnie Gorman’s free-kick effort from the edge of the Spurs penalty area, but ultimately couldn’t quite stop his curling effort from finding the back of the goal on 81 minutes, 4-1. Nehemiah Oriola then hit an effort against the Spurs crossbar shortly after, from inside the Spurs penalty area, before Carey Bloedorn saved another effort on goal. Finishing the game strongly, Brighton made it 4-2 soon after. Aidan West’s low cross into the Spurs box from the right flank found Shane Nti at the back post, where he was able to score from close range, 4-2. Spurs tried to regain a healthier lead, with Yusuf Akhamrich hitting an effort just wide from inside the Brighton box, before Kieran Morgan saw a very late deflected effort go wide of the Brighton goal. In the end though, this was another good win for Stuart Lewis’ side, who face Reading at home in the league on Saturday in their next game.

Player reviews:

• Carey Bloedorn: The Spurs goalkeeper and second year scholar made some good and important saves against Brighton, and he had a good game on Saturday.
• Leo Black: Providing two assists during the game for Spurs, right-back Leo Black impressed with his decision making on the ball and in the final third.
• James Rowswell: The right sided central defender impressed in central defence, making a good impression on the game from that position. 
• Archie Chaplin: The Spurs captain made some good decisions in defence, even after he had received a booking he still played well.
• Maeson King: The Spurs left-back also did well on his side of the pitch, and he was solid in how he defended on the left flank.
• Tyrese Hall: The Spurs midfielder used the ball well in midfield, and his skill and intelligent movement both with and without the ball meant that he made a good impact on the game.
• Kieran Morgan: The defensive minded midfielder made two really good defensive interventions during his time on the pitch, including one really fine block during the first half.
• Mikey Moore: My man of the match, see below.
• Oliver Irow: The Spurs forward scored a finely taken goal during the second half. Oliver Irow started the game out on the right flank as a winger. 
• Ellis Lehane: The scorer of two goals on his first competitive start for the Spurs Under 18 side, centre-forward Ellis Lehane would lead the line well on his full debut for the side. Ellis was in good positions to score both of his goals.
• Yusuf Akhamrich: The skilful winger took his first half goal really well and he was unlucky not to add to his tally during the second half.
• Herbie James: The second half substitute went into one of the forward positions after replacing Ellis Lehane.
• Pele Arganese-McDermott: The second year scholar went into defence late on in the game.
• Dante Orr: The first year scholar was a late substitute against Brighton on Saturday.
• Roman Egan-Riley: Making his competitive debut for the Spurs Under 18 side since joining Spurs from Manchester City in the summer, Roman Egan-Riley went into defence.

My man of the match – Mikey Moore. The first year scholar was in my opinion Spurs’ most creative player with the ball on Saturday. Starting the game in the CAM position, Mikey Moore provided two fine assists and he was unlucky not to score a goal himself. Whenever he receives the ball he is always looking to be inventive, and with his excellent skill and footballing brain, he always makes things happen. Mikey has started the season really well for the Spurs Under 18 side.

To bring an end to their pre-season training trip to Cork in Ireland, Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Cork City’s Under 19 side at their Bishopstown training ground on Friday afternoon, in a pre-season friendly match. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side lost the game 1-0, against an impressive Cork side, who defended well and worked very well of the ball. Starting in goal for Spurs was Elliot Krasniqi, with Leo Black, James Rowswell, Kieran Morgan and Maeson King starting in defence for Spurs. Tyrese Hall and Callum Olusesi were the two central midfielders, with Yusuf Akhamrich and Oliver Irow starting the game out on the flanks, either side of CAM Mikey Moore. Captain Damola Ajayi started in the centre-forward position for Spurs, who got the game underway. Early on in the match Yusuf Akhamrich had a deflected effort on goal blocked inside the Cork penalty area. The early stages of the match were quite even, with both sides going forward well with the ball. After the impressive Alex Kelliher had won the ball, the Cork City midfielder then hit an effort over from the edge of the Spurs box, just before Josh Fitzpatrick went past Maeson King with the ball, before going in to the right side of the Spurs penalty area. His powerful resulting effort on goal from a difficult angle was well tipped on to his near post by Elliot Krasniqi. 

Cork City took the lead on 12 minutes through Alex Kelliher. It was a fine move which had started with Oran Crowe’s lay off, before Maeson King had blocked a good effort on goal. However, the ball then came to Alex Kelliher in the centre of the Spurs penalty area, and his low first time effort went past Elliot Krasniqi to give Cork an early lead. Spurs tried to respond quickly, and after Oliver Irow had whipped a good cross in to the centre of the Cork penalty area, Yusuf Akhamrich seemed to miss the ball as he tried to head it towards goal from close range, with the ball then going wide of the goal. Mikey Moore then had a free-kick effort cleared at an important moment inside the Cork box, before James Rowswell made an important challenge at the other end of the pitch, on the edge of the Spurs penalty area. A good forward run to the right side of the Spurs penalty area resulted in Josh Fitzpatrick having an effort on goal deflected narrowly over. Then a couple of minutes later and after Callum Olusesi had won a free-kick on the edge of the Cork City box, Yusuf Akhamrich had an effort blocked. Kieran Morgan’s good lofted pass to Mikey Moore on the left side of the Cork penalty area saw the Spurs midfielder try to score a goal with a first time effort. However, his effort was well saved by the impressive Daniel Moynihan.

After going inside from the left flank with the ball, Damola Ajayi had a deflected effort saved. Shortly after, a good Spurs move which saw Yusuf Akhamrich pass to Mikey Moore inside the Cork box, resulted in Mikey Moore giving the ball to Callum Olusesi, whose resulting effort was pushed behind well by Daniel Moynihan. Damola Ajayi then had a headed effort well saved from the Cork City goalkeeper from close range, from the following corner-kick. Spurs were finishing the first half well, but after Callum Olusesi’s low, curling effort from the edge of the Cork box was well pushed away by Daniel Moynihan, Cork City came very close to extending their lead. A header from James Rowswell from a long ball over the top of the Spurs defence, ended up going towards Harvey Skieters, who took the ball towards the edge of the Spurs penalty area, at pace. However, the Cork forward’s low effort was well saved by Elliot Krasniqi, who had closed down his angles well. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time, shortly after. Carey Bloedorn had replaced Elliot Krasniqi in goal for Spurs, for the beginning of the second half. Cork City got the second half underway.

Patryk Swieczka Andrzejczak hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance, before  an effort on the Cork goal from the edge of their penalty area by Tyrese Hall, was deflected behind for a corner-kick. After Harvey Skieters had won the ball he had passed it to AJ Bowman near the Spurs penalty area, but his low effort was held by Carey Bloedorn. Spurs then made a number of changes, as Herbie James, Theo Adelusi, Pele Arganese-McDermott, Timileyin Adekunle, Ellis Lehane and Calum Logan all replaced Spurs players Leo Black, Maeson King, James Rowswell, Yusuf Akhamrich, Callum Olusesi and Mikey Moore. Recent Spurs signing Calum Logan blocked an effort from Arran Healy on the edge of the Spurs box, before Theo Adelusi made a good and important challenge on the same player, a couple of minutes later. A lofted effort from Noah Sowinski was pushed behind by Carey Bloedorn, before at the other of the end of the pitch, Tyrese Hall had entered the right side of the Cork City box, curling an effort wide of the goal. Yusuf Akhamrich and Dante Orr replaced Oliver Irow and Kieran Morgan, as Spurs continued to search for an equaliser.

Centre-forward Ellis Lehane received a yellow card, before James Rowswell replaced Tyrese Hall, before Maeson King replaced Spurs’ captain Damola Ajayi. A deflected effort on goal from Herbie James was saved, with a good run from Yusuf Akhamrich towards the Cork City penalty area then being saved. The referee brought the game to an end a couple of minutes later. 

Player reviews:

• Elliot Krasniqi: The Spurs goalkeeper and second year scholar made two good and impressive saves from close range, during his time on the pitch. He only completed the first half of the game for Spurs.
• Leo Black: The midfielder started the game at right-back, and I thought that the second year scholar did well in that position, getting forward well with the ball.
• James Rowswell: Playing in central defence, James Rowswell made some good decisions in defence, and he had quite a bit of defending to do against Cork City. 
• Kieran Morgan: The second year scholar started the game on the left side of central defence before later moving in to central midfield. Morgan was good on the ball, and he liked to step out of defence with it. His passing was good on the day. 
• Maeson King: The Spurs left-back had quite a lot of defending to do on his side of the pitch, while playing at left-back. King did make an impressive block during the first half, and he did like to get forward on the pitch.
• Tyrese Hall: Starting the match as the most defensive of the Spurs midfielders, Tyrese Hall looked to get on the ball and make things happen. He went on some good and skilful runs forward with the ball. I personally think that the Cork City midfielders and defenders would have been told just how good a player Tyrese is, as he was closely followed on the pitch and not given much time on the ball, during his time on the pitch. However, I thought that he had some good moments in the game.
• Callum Olusesi: The central midfielder managed a couple of goal attempts, and he worked hard in central midfield.
• Yusuf Akhamrich: Starting the game on the right flank as a winger, Yusuf Akhamrich moved positions on a number of occasions. However, he worked hard for Spurs, tracked back well and was always very direct with the ball.
• Mikey Moore: My Spurs player of the match, see below.
• Oliver Irow: The player who started the match on the left flank would switch sides during the match, with Yusuf Akhamrich. Oliver was unlucky not to have provided an assist, after setting-up a good chance for Yusuf Akhamrich to score from.
• Damola Ajayi: The Spurs captain and centre-forward worked hard when he was leading the line for Spurs. Damola’s movement off the ball was good.
• Carey Bloedorn: The Spurs goalkeeper who came on for the second half of the match, made a couple of saves during his time on the pitch.
• Herbie James: A recent signing from Manchester City’s Academy set-up, Herbie James played most of the second half on the left flank, as a winger.
• Theo Adelusi: The right sided central defender was good on the ball and he made one important defensive intervention, after being substituted on during the second half. 
• Pele Arganese-McDermott: The second half substitute played on the left side of central defence during his time on the pitch.
• Timileyin Adekunle: The second half substitute and first year scholar played at right-back.
• Ellis Lehane: The centre-forward did well at leading the line after being substituted on. Ellis dropped deep on many occasions to receive the ball, and he showed good skill with it.
• Calum Logan: The former Ipswich Town Academy player went to left-back after being substituted on, in the second half.
• Dante Orr: The late second half substitute went in to midfield during his time on the pitch.

My Spurs player of the match – Mikey Moore. Impressing with his close control of the ball and ability to go on some clever and skilful forward runs, the first year scholar completed 61 minutes of the friendly match with Cork City. Mikey started the game in the CAM position for Spurs, although he switched positions on occasions, during his time on the pitch. Mikey had some good moments in the game, was very clever with the ball and he came quite close to scoring a goal during the first half. He also took up some good positions on the pitch, from which he looked to receive the ball.