Spurs’ Under 18 side welcomed Norwich City to Hotspur Way on Saturday, for a Premier League South match. Spurs head-coach Stuart Lewis saw his side win the match 2-1, but Norwich made Spurs work hard to get the win, especially in the second half. Spurs lined-up with Adam Hayton in goal, while a back four of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Archie Chaplin, Charlie Sayers and Jahziah Linton started in front of him. George Abbott and Jez Davies started in central-midfield, while Billy Heaps and Riley Owen started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Rio Kyerematen. Spurs captain Jamie Donley led the line. Norwich got the game underway on a warm day in Enfield. An early chance for the away team followed, after Dubem Eze passed the ball to Oscar Thorn on the right side of the Spurs penalty area. However, Thorn’s low effort went across and wide of goalkeeper Adam Hayton’s goal. Rio Kyerematen had an effort saved from the edge of the Norwich box, before centre-half Charlie Sayers headed an effort wide from a Rio Kyerematen free-kick. Kyerematen then had an effort blocked by a defender inside the Norwich box, a couple of minutes later.

Spurs took the lead in the 30th minute of the game through the impressive Rio Kyerematen. After receiving a pass from Jez Davies just outside the Norwich box, Kyerematen hit an effort towards the centre of the goal. However, Norwich goalkeeper David Aziaya got his angles wrong, and ended up being unable to gather the effort which went through his hands and into the goal, 1-0. Rio Kyerematen headed over a cross from Jahziah Linton, before Spurs doubled their lead. The Norwich goalkeeper took slightly too long on the ball inside his box, and he was closed down by Jamie Donley, who ended up scoring after David Aziaya’s clearance rebounded into the goal off of Donley, 2-0. Norwich responded well to Spurs scoring their second goal of the game. After receiving Oscar Thorn’s pass on the right side of the Spurs box, Ken Aboh had an effort saved by Adam Hayton, before the ball was then cleared. Dubem Eze saw his deflected effort go wide of the Spurs goal, before Norwich finally did get a goal, a couple of minutes after Rio Kyerematen was shown a yellow card. A free-kick into the Spurs box ended up coming to Brad Hills, whose headed effort went into the right corner of the goal, 2-1. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time shortly after.

Spurs got the second half underway. Charlie Sayers volleyed an effort over the Norwich goal from a Rio Kyerematen corner-kick, before Brandon Bryan-Waugh was shown a yellow card for making a foul. After showing good skill on the ball Riley Owen had a blocked effort saved by David Aziaya. Spurs’ first change of the game saw Maxwell McKnight replace Brandon Bryan-Waugh, and a couple of minutes after that substitution was made Adam Hayton unfortunately gave the ball away to Finley Welch. The Norwich substitute continued with the ball into the Spurs box before hitting the ball off of Hayton’s near post, with the ball then going behind for a goal kick. Thomas Bloxham replaced Riley Owen, and then after picking up an injury Archie Chaplin was replaced by Leo Black. Rio Kyerematen volleyed a good effort wide of the Norwich goal, before Oscar Thorn hit an effort across Adam Hayton’s goal, at the other end of the pitch. Spurs substitute Leo Black volleyed wide an effort from a Thomas Bloxham cross, as Spurs looked for that important third goal.

Joe Duffy headed a free-kick into the arms of Adam Hayton, before a late Spurs move almost ended in them scoring another goal. After Leo Black managed to win the ball off of Norwich defender Lewis Shipley, the midfielder passed the ball to Rio Kyerematen who then gave the ball to Maxwell McKnight, whose effort inside the Norwich box was tipped over the goal by goalkeeper David Aziaya. The referee sounded his whistle for full-time a couple of minutes later. Spurs’ next league game is on Tuesday, when they face Chelsea at their Cobham training ground.

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: The Spurs goalkeeper and second year scholar didn’t have a lot of saves to make today. He made one good save during the first half, but he dealt really well with crosses and set-pieces into the Spurs box.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The right-back kept good positioning during his time on the pitch, and he also got forward well on occasions.
• Archie Chaplin: Defending solidly during his time on the pitch, the centre-half started on the right side of central-defence. Chaplin later had to be substituted after picking up an injury in the second half.
• Charlie Sayers: The left sided centre-half had a good game for Spurs. The second year scholar was good in the air, and also solid in defence.
• Jahziah Linton: The left-back like all of the Spurs defence, had a good game. Linton went on one particularly impressive run with the ball down the left flank during the second half.
• George Abbott: The defensive-midfielder started the match in midfield, where he worked hard and covered a lot of ground, before later going to right-back.
• Jez Davies: Carrying on from his impressive performance against West Ham last week, central-midfielder Jez Davies was impressive on the ball and he shielded it well in midfield. After setting-up Rio Kyerematen’s first half goal, Davies went into central-defence in the second half, after Archie Chaplin left the field.
• Billy Heaps: Starting the match out on the right flank as a winger, midfielder Billy Heaps was efficient in what he did today, against Norwich. Heaps would later go into central-midfield, where he continued to quietly impress.
• Rio Kyerematen: My man of the match, see below.
• Riley Owen: The winger started the match out on the left flank, and he started the game well. Owen went on some good runs with the ball during his time on the pitch.
• Jamie Donley: The centre-forward was always looking to drop deep to receive the ball and create chances for his teammates. Donley scored a slightly fortunate first half goal, but his all-round game was good once again.
• Maxwell McKnight: After replacing Brandon Bryan-Waugh and going out to the right flank as a winger during the second half, Maxwell McKnight often found himself in quite a bit of space out on the right flank. He was very direct both with and without the ball.
• Thomas Bloxham: The Republic of Ireland Under 17 international was like Maxwell McKnight, with how direct he was with the ball out wide.
• Leo Black: This was a good cameo from the midfield player. Leo Black worked well of the ball and was involved in the final third quite a bit during the second half.

My man of the match: Rio Kyerematen. The midfielder and first year scholar started the match against Norwich as a CAM. Kyerematen brought the ball forward really well from midfield, and he used the ball very well today. After scoring a slightly fortunate first half goal, Rio impressed with his delivery from set-pieces, and he showed good skill on the ball throughout the match.

Spurs’ Under 18 side faced top of the Premier League South side going into this game – West Ham United at the Little Heath Sports Centre, on Saturday morning in a Premier League South match. Spurs won what was a fantastic match 5-3, showing great character to get back into the game after going 2-0 down, early on in the second half. Spurs lined-up with Adam Hayton in goal, while a back four of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett started in defence. Rio Kyerematen and Jez Davies started in central-midfield, and Billy Heaps and Riley Owen started out on the flanks, either side of CAM and Spurs captain Jamie Donley. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a nice day. However, early on in the match West Ham took the lead, through George Earthy. After receiving Callum Marshall’s through-ball pass, George Earthy continued into the Spurs box, before trying to score with a side-footed effort which despite the best efforts of Adam Hayton, came off the post and back to Earthy to tap home into the goal, 0-1.

Less than six minutes after taking the lead, West Ham doubled their lead through Callum Marshall. After goalkeeper Adam Hayton came out to try and clear George Earthy’s forward pass to Callum Marshall, Hayton unfortunately didn’t make sufficient contact with the ball, and this allowed Marshall to finish into the empty goal from outside of the Spurs box, 0-2. Adam Hayton saved George Earthy’s low effort from distance, before Spurs created a decent chance, as Jaden Williams received Jordan Hackett’s pass, before laying the ball off to Jez Davies on the edge of the West Ham box. However, Jez Davies’ resulting curling effort was pushed away well by West Ham goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge. Junior Robinson did well to clear a good cross into the West Ham box by Jamie Donley, before Spurs managed to win a penalty. After trying to get onto Jordan Hackett’s cross from the left flank, inside the West Ham box, Billy Heaps was pushed from behind by Kaelan Casey, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Donley then stepped up to finish past Jacob Knightbridge, despite the goalkeeper managing to get a hand on the ball, 1-2.

After receiving Jordan Hackett’s pass inside the centre of the West Ham box, Riley Owen controlled the ball before hitting an effort wide of the goal. The referee sounded his whistle for half-time shortly after. West Ham got the second half underway. Rio Kyerematen managed to block Oliver Scarles’ effort inside the Spurs box, before Callum Marshall had an effort well blocked behind by Bryan-Waugh inside the Spurs box. Jamie Donley had an effort from distance saved by the West Ham goalkeeper, before Jaden Williams just missed managing to tap home a good Billy Heaps cross from the right flank. After receiving Jez Davies’ pass, Rio Kyerematen continued with the ball towards the edge of the West Ham box, before hitting an effort wide of the goal. Another good Spurs move this time saw them draw level in the game. After Donley received a pass from Williams out on the left flank, the England Under 17 international delivered a great cross into the West Ham penalty area, at the back post, where he was able to pick out the run of Billy Heaps. The midfield player from Stevenage was able to head home into the goal, 2-2.

Spurs made their first change of the game when Thomas Bloxham replaced Riley Owen out on the left flank. Alfie Dorrington received a yellow card for making a foul, before Brandon Bryan-Waugh won a penalty for Spurs. After receiving Bloxham’s pass on the left side of the West Ham box, Bryan-Waugh was tripped by Asher Falase, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Jamie Donley stepped up again to take it, but this time his good effort to the left side of the goal was excellently saved by Jacob Knightbridge. Jaden Williams sent a looping header over the West Ham goal, after meeting Bloxham’s cross inside the West Ham box. A couple of minutes later Spurs took the lead for the first time in the game, through Jamie Donley. After receiving a pass from Billy Heaps, Brandon Bryan-Waugh controlled the ball well and took it into the West Ham box. The ball then came to West Ham defender Michael Forbes, but he was unable to clear the ball properly, and the ball came to Jaden Williams. The centre-forward had an effort blocked by a defender, before the ball came to Donley, who powerfully hit the ball into the far corner of the goal, 3-2.

After West Ham goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge ended up passing the ball out of his penalty area, Jaden Williams managed to latch onto the loose pass. Williams turned inside onto his left foot after entering the West Ham box, before then brilliantly turning around a West Ham defender and finishing well with a low finish, 4-2. Callum Marshall headed wide from a cross, and then after Jamie Donley handled the ball inside the Spurs box from a cross, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Substitute Divin Mubama stepped up to finish past Hayton, into the right corner of the goal, 4-3. Spurs made two late changes, as Maxwell McKnight and Dante Cassanova replaced Billy Heaps and Rio Kyerematen respectively. In the 91st minute of the match Spurs made sure of the win, through substitute Maxwell McKnight. After receiving the ball on the left flank Jamie Donley showed good vision to find Maxwell McKnight at the back post inside the West Ham box from a really good pass, which McKnight volleyed past Jacob Knightbridge, 5-3. Donley hit a good free-kick effort from distance which was saved by the West Ham goalkeeper, before the referee brought the game to an end. Spurs’ Under 18 side welcome Norwich City to Hotspur Way next Friday, for their next Premier League South match. 

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: The Spurs goalkeeper commanded his box well, and was particularly good at dealing with corner-kicks. He recovered well from his unfortunate early error for the second West Ham goal of the game, to have a good match.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: This was very good all-round performance from the Spurs defender, on his return to the side. Bryan-Waugh won a penalty for Spurs, which was subsequently saved, but he was also involved in the build-up play to Jamie Donley’s second goal of the game. The right-back also had a good game defensively.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half along with Charlie Sayers had a lot of defending to do during the first half, but during the second half Dorrington helped Spurs to manage the game well.
• Charlie Sayers: Like Alfie Dorrington, the centre-half showed some real character to make sure that Spurs got the win.
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back was involved in the build-up play to Spurs winning their first penalty of the game, and Hackett got forward well throughout the match.
• Rio Kyerematen: Starting this match as the deepest central-midfielder and completing 89 minutes of the game, Rio Kyerematen and Jez Davies did really well in midfield today. Both linked up well on the pitch, and Kyerematen went on some good skilful runs with the ball.
• Jez Davies: This was a very impressive performance from the second year scholar, who worked really hard off the ball as well as going on some very good surging runs with it.
• Billy Heaps: Another player who I thought had a really good game today, Billy Heaps didn’t start the match in central-midfield, but out on the right flank as a winger. Heaps won Spurs’ first penalty of the game, and he also scored a headed goal during the second half. The first year scholar was very determined throughout the game, and he helped out a lot defensively as well.
• Jamie Donley: My man of the match, see below.
• Riley Owen: Starting the match on the left wing, Riley Owen worked hard off the ball and was unlucky not to score from his first half chance.
• Jaden Williams: The centre-forward and Jamie Donley have such a good understanding between each other in matches, and that fine understanding was clear to see again today. Impressing with his movement off the ball, Williams scored a brilliant goal during the second half of the match.
• Thomas Bloxham: The Republic of Ireland Under 17 international was direct with the ball and showed some fine skill with it out on the left flank.
• Dante Cassanova: The late substitute went into the defensive-midfield role.
• Maxwell McKnight: The late substitute made sure of the win for Spurs, after scoring a good volleyed effort. That was his first goal of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side.

My man of the match: Jamie Donley. Starting the match as a CAM, Jamie Donley was one of a number of Spurs players who were excellent against West Ham on Saturday. The Spurs captain scored two goals and also set two up, and he was unlucky not to score a hat-trick after having his second penalty of the game really well saved by the West Ham goalkeeper. Donley’s passing was as excellent as always, and his all-round influence on the game today was very good. He also took up some really good positions in the final third.

A Spurs Under 17 side met Manchester City in the final of the 2021/22 Under 17 Premier League Cup, on Wednesday evening at the Loughborough University Stadium. Spurs lost the Cup final 6-0 against a Manchester City side who were excellent throughout the match. Spurs lined-up with Aaron Maguire in goal, while a back four of Maxwell McKnight, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett started in front of Maguire. Han Willhoft-King and George Abbott started in central midfield, while Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Jaden Williams started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Rio Kyerematen. Captain Jamie Donley led the line. Spurs got the game underway, and after an early penalty appeal from Jaden Williams, which the referee didn’t agree with, Rio Kyerematen had an effort blocked as Spurs started the match quite well. A good move from Manchester City followed however, as Carlos Borges passed the ball to Max Alleyne on the left flank, and he then delivered a low cross into the Spurs box, to find Luca Barrington who hit the ball wide of the goal, and he was possibly put off by the sliding Charlie Sayers.

After receiving the ball out on the right flank Jamie Donley looked up before threading through a brilliant pass towards Rio Kyerematen, who had made a run in behind the Manchester City defence. After getting onto the ball Kyerematen took the ball around the goalkeeper George Murray Jones inside the Manchester City box, before unluckily only managing to find the side netting of the goal from his effort. Not long afterwards Manchester City took the lead. After Maxwell McKnight’s back heeled clearance inside the Spurs box went to a Manchester City player, he then found Dan Ogwuru, who from near to the penalty spot was able to find the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 0-1. After receiving a pass from Rico Lewis down the right side of the Spurs penalty area, Luca Barrington hit an effort wide, across the Spurs goal. Josh Adam then hit a low effort wide of Aaron Maguire’s goal, before another good move from Manchester City led to them scoring another goal. Barrington was found with a pass from Rico Lewis, on the right side of the Spurs box. The winger then passed the ball across to Carlos Borges, who finished low past Aaron Maguire, 0-2.

Luca Barrington hit one of Maguire’s posts after meeting Josh Adam’s pass inside the Spurs box. A couple of minutes later the impressive Luca Barrington hit an effort just over the Spurs goal, from the edge of the Spurs box. Maguire managed to tip behind a powerful effort from distance, before Kian Breckin hit a low effort wide of the Spurs goal. Manchester City were in control of the game, and after Dan Ogwuru received Luca Barrington’s pass on the edge of the Spurs box, Ogwuru saw his effort deflected go over the Spurs goal, off of defender Alfie Dorrington. Just before half-time, Charlie Sayers had a headed effort saved by Manchester City goalkeeper George Murray Jones, after meeting Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s free-kick. Manchester City got the second half underway, after Spurs made their first change of the game as Sam Amo-Ameyaw was replaced by defender Will Andiyapan, who went to right-back. This impressive Manchester City side made it 3-0 not long in to the half, after Josh Adam received Dan Ogwuru’s pass inside the Spurs box, before finishing low and well past Maguire, 0-3. 

Aaron Maguire was able to tip over Luca Barrington’s powerful effort from down the right side of the Spurs box, before Dan Ogwuru hit an effort wide of the goal. After showing some good skill with the ball Carlos Borges hit the ball across the face of the Spurs goal, from the left side of the Spurs box. Josh Adams hit a free-kick effort into the Spurs wall, before Luca Barrington then hit the ball wide of the goal. Manchester City substitute Will Dickinson received a nice pass on the right side of the Spurs penalty area, and would go forward with the ball before finishing low past Maguire, 0-4. Spurs then made two changes in quick succession, as Tyrese Hall replaced Maxwell McKnight, before Riley Owen came on to replace Rio Kyerematen. A good lofted pass from Justin Oboavwoduo to Luca Barrington inside the Spurs box, resulted in Barrington volleying the ball against the woodwork, before it bounced back out to Josh Adam, who finished well with a first time effort from inside the Spurs box, 0-5.

After latching onto a through-ball pass into the Spurs box, Luca Barrington hit an effort over Maguire’s goal. Shortly after Manchester City extended their lead, as Han Willhoft-King, who a couple minutes later would have to leave the field because of injury, would have the ball taken off of him by Will Dickinson. The Manchester City substitute ran into the Spurs box, before delightfully lofting the ball over Maguire and into the back of the goal, 0-6. The referee brought the game to an end a couple of minutes later.

My Spurs player of the match: Jamie Donley. The centre-forward was in my opinion Spurs’ best and most influential player against Manchester City. The Spurs captain for the game would often drop deep to receive the ball, and he made some very good passes forward.

Spurs’ Under 18 side met Reading at their Bearwood Park training ground, in a Premier League South fixture on Saturday. Spurs won the match 2-1, against a Reading side who managed to create more chances than them during the game. However, Spurs defended really well throughout the match, and in the end they deserved to win, because of how well they defended. Adam Hayton started in goal for Spurs, while a back four consisting of Maxwell McKnight, Alfie Dorrington, captain Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett started in front of him. Tyrese Hall and Billy Heaps started in central-midfield, and Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Thomas Bloxham started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Riley Owen. Jamie Donley led the line for Spurs. Reading got the game underway. Early on in the match and after receiving the ball out on the left flank, Thomas Bloxham managed to find Tyrese Hall, who had made a run towards the back post inside the Reading box. Hall’s resulting headed effort was saved however, by Reading goalkeeper Tom Norcott. At the other end of the pitch Alfie Dorrington cleared away Ajani Giscombe’s effort inside the Spurs box, before Reading came very close to taking the lead. As Jeremiah Okine-Peters put Princewill Ehibhationham’s low cross from the left just wide, from the centre of the Spurs penalty area.

Alfie Dorrington did really well to block Princewill Ehibhationham’s effort inside the Spurs box, as Reading started the game well. Adam Hayton saved Princewill Ehibhationham’s headed effort from a Reading corner-kick. Then a couple of minutes later Caylon Vickers met a pass inside the centre of the Spurs box, but he put the ball over the goal. A good Spurs move followed, as Jamie Donley made a pass through to Riley Owen inside the Reading box, and Owen went past the Reading goalkeeper before passing the ball to Sam Amo-Ameyaw. The Spurs winger saw his resulting low effort cleared on the line by a defender. After meeting Maxwell McKnight’s clearance inside the Spurs box, Princewill Ehibhationham hit the ball wide of the Spurs goal. Dorrington blocked Ajani Giscombe’s effort, before Jamie Donley hit a free-kick effort into the Reading wall, a couple of minutes later. After receiving Tyrese Hall’s pass on the edge of the Reading box, Sam Amo-Ameyaw hit an effort over the goal. Reading took the lead in the 30th minute of the match. 

After Caylon Vickers went on a good and skilful run with the ball towards the Spurs box, he tried to score a goal. His effort hit one of the posts, before going back in his direction, and this time he was able to finish well, past Adam Hayton, 0-1. Spurs did respond well though, and around four minutes later Jamie Donley managed to get Spurs level in the game. After meeting Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s cross inside the centre of the Reading box, Donley got up well to head the ball past Tom Norcott and into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 1-1. Spurs almost took the lead a couple of minutes later, after Amo-Ameyaw received the ball out on the right flank, came inside onto his left foot and hit a low effort against one of Tom Norcott’s posts. Maxwell McKnight then had an effort blocked, in what turned out to be the final real chance of the half. Spurs got the second half underway. After receiving a through-ball pass inside the Spurs box, Ajani Giscombe seemed likely to score however, Tyrese Hall managed to get in front of him and deflect his effort on goal behind for a corner-kick.

Adam Hayton managed to save Jeremiah Okine-Peters’ low effort on goal, before Spurs took the lead in the match. After receiving the ball the impressive Tyrese Hall went down the right side of the Reading box, before squaring the ball for Jamie Donley in the centre of the penalty area. Donley did well to put the ball into the back of the net, possibly via a deflection off of a Reading defender. Adam Hayton saved a deflected effort from Jeremiah Okine-Peters, before at the other end of the pitch Thomas Bloxham hit an effort wide from inside the Reading box. Leo Black replaced Thomas Bloxham a couple of minutes later, as Spurs made their first change of the game. Jordan Hackett made two important blocks in quick succession, to stop Jeremiah Okine-Peters from scoring, inside the Spurs box. A good pass from Jamie Donley to Leo Black, resulted in him hitting a low effort just wide of the goal, from inside the Reading box, as Riley Owen was close to being able to guide it into the goal. After cutting inside from the left flank, Owen had an effort saved by Tom Norcott. After Alfie Dorrington made a good challenge, Billy Heaps blocked an effort on goal. 

Damola Ajayi and Jahziah Linton replaced Jamie Donley and Riley Owen respectively, with around seven minutes of the game remaining. After Caylon Vickers passed the ball to Ajani Giscombe on the edge of the Spurs box, the Reading midfielder hit a powerful effort, which was well saved by Hayton, before the ball was then cleared. Then after Maxwell McKnight’s headed clearance was met by Princewill Ehibhationham inside the Spurs penalty area, Adam Hayton managed to tip his effort over the goal. Hayton then saved well from Ajani Giscombe’s effort on goal, before Alfie Dorrington importantly blocked Princewill Ehibhationham’s effort very late on in the game. Reading’s last effort of the game was from Harry Furlong, whose effort went over Adam Hayton’s goal, with the referee then sounding his whistle for full-time. Spurs face West Ham United away next Saturday, in their next Premier League South game.

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: The Spurs goalkeeper made some very important saves as the game went on. The second year scholar was vocal throughout the match, and the saves that he made made sure that Spurs won the game.
• Maxwell McKnight: Starting the match at right-back once again, Maxwell McKnight showed his quality while going forward with the ball and he put some good crosses into the Reading box. I also thought that McKnight defended solidly down his side of the pitch, in what was a very good defensive performance from the whole Spurs defence.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half had a very good game today. Dorrington stepped out well with the ball from defence on occasions, but it was his many important blocks and also his good challenges, which helped to stop Reading from getting something out of the game. Dorrington and Sayers worked really well together today in central-defence.
• Charlie Sayers: The Spurs captain managed to get in front of the Reading forwards really well on occasions today. Sayers defended well throughout, and also showed his fine ability on the ball.
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back had one of his best games of the season today, in my opinion. The England youth international made some important and brave blocks, and also some good challenges as well.
• Tyrese Hall: My man of the match, see below. 
• Billy Heaps: This was another hardworking midfield performance from first year scholar Billy Heaps. The footballer from Stevenage worked well with Tyrese Hall in central-midfield, and they both complimented each other well.
• Sam Amo-Ameyaw: Carrying on from his impressive performance against Aston Villa last weekend, winger Sam Amo-Ameyaw went on some good and skilful runs with the ball down the right flank. He set-up Jamie Donley’s opening goal of the game, before then going close to scoring a goal himself.
• Riley Owen: The first year scholar started the game as a CAM, where he linked up well with centre-forward Jamie Donley. Owen would later move out to the left flank, before later being substituted.
• Thomas Bloxham: The Republic of Ireland Under 17 international worked hard out on the left flank as a winger, and he also helped out the team defensively on occasions, while also getting forward well with the ball.
• Jamie Donley: The centre-forward impressed with his link-up play, and he dropped deep well with the ball to make some good forward passes. Donley took both of his goals well, and during his time on the pitch he worked really hard.
• Leo Black: Making his debut for Spurs at this level against Reading, Leo Black started in the CAM position, after being introduced to the game in the second half.
• Damola Ajayi: The late substitute went into central midfield.
• Jahziah Linton: The late substitute went out to the left flank where he played as a winger, during his time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Tyrese Hall. Starting the match alongside Billy Heaps in central-midfield as the deepest of the two midfielders, schoolboy footballer Tyrese Hall had a really good game in midfield, as he had a good influence on the game throughout. Hall’s all-round performance in midfield was very good in my opinion. He got forward well on occasions, showed good skill on the ball throughout the match, and covered a lot of ground. On his fifth competitive appearance of the season for Stuart Lewis’ side, Tyrese Hall, who is clearly a versatile player, showed a real desire to want to make a real difference in the game. He set-up Jamie Donley for his second goal of the game and also made a very important block. Hall knew when to get forward well, but also when to stay deep to help out the defence.

Spurs’ Under 18 side welcomed Aston Villa to Hotspur Way on Saturday afternoon, for a Premier League South fixture. Spurs lost the match 2-0, and although they were missing a number of regular starters, they did well, and were in the game all match, creating a lot of chances. Spurs lined up with Aaron Maguire in goal, while a back four of Maxwell McKnight, Alfie Dorrington, Archie Chaplin and Jordan Hackett started in front of him. George Abbott and Billy Heaps started in central-midfield, and Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Riley Owen started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Han Willhoft-King. Captain Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Aston Villa got the game underway on a really nice day at Hotspur Way. After receiving the ball out on the right flank Sam Amo-Ameyaw came inside onto his left foot before having an early effort saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Sam Lewis. A couple of minutes later a loose pass from Alfie Dorrington came to Dewain Sewell, who went down the right side of the Spurs box, before hitting an effort just wide of the goal.

Another loose pass from a Spurs player (Han Willhoft-King) saw the ball come to Dewain Sewell, who crossed the ball to Kadan Young, whose first time effort was saved by Aaron Maguire. A good run down the right flank from Amo-Ameyaw resulted in the winger cutting inside onto his left foot, but his curling effort was tipped over by Sam Lewis. After Alfie Dorrington headed Billy Heaps’ free-kick across goal inside the Spurs box, Jaden Williams did well to catch the ball on the volley, but his effort went narrowly wide of the Aston Villa goal. After receiving Travis Patterson’s pass inside the Spurs penalty area, Chisom Afoka hit a low effort wide of Maguire’s goal. Amo-Ameyaw hit a low cross right across the face of the Aston Villa goal a couple of minutes later, after again showing good skill with the ball. Amo-Ameyaw then had an effort saved by Sam Lewis inside the Aston Villa box, before a Billy Heaps free-kick almost deflected into the path of Archie Chaplin inside the Aston Villa box, but Sam Lewis was able to gather the ball in time.

Travis Patterson hit an effort low and wide from distance for Aston Villa, before at the other end of the pitch Billy Heaps hit an effort wide. Heaps then blocked Aston Villa captain Aaron O’Reilly’s effort, a minute or so after. Aston Villa took the lead about eight minutes before half-time. Dewain Sewell managed to latch onto Billy Heaps’ loose pass on the edge of the Spurs box, before showing good composure in front of goal and finishing well with a low effort past Aaron Maguire, 0-1. Spurs tried to respond before half-time. Jaden Williams had a deflected saved by Sam Lewis, after receiving a pass from Riley Owen inside the Aston Villa box. Sam Amo-Ameyaw then appeared to be fouled inside the Aston Villa penalty area, but he was still able to pass the ball to McKnight, who came inside onto his left foot well, before curling an effort over the goal. Han Willhoft-King then had an effort blocked, before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time.

Spurs got the second half underway. Chaplin headed an effort wide from a Billy Heaps free-kick, before McKnight had an effort on his left foot saved. George Abbott played a one-two with Riley Owen inside the Aston Villa box, before seeing his effort saved well by Sam Lewis, with a defender then clearing the ball off the line. Maguire saved well with his feet to stop Kadan Young from scoring inside the Spurs box. Spurs then made their first change of the game, as Damola Ajayi came on to make his debut at this level for Spurs, in place of Billy Heaps. A corner-kick from Ajayi was met by Chaplin inside the Aston Villa box. His headed effort was saved by Sam Lewis, and then Williams also had an effort saved on the follow up. Before Owen then had an effort on goal cleared on the line. Tyrese Hall came on to replace Riley Owen, before Archie Chaplin did well to clear Travis Patterson’s effort. Hall then had an effort blocked, as Spurs continued to look for an equaliser. McKnight hit an effort narrowly over Sam Lewis’ goal, from the edge of the Aston Villa box.

Charlie Pavey headed an effort just over from a cross, before Maxwell McKnight’s fine cross to Tyrese Hall inside the Aston Villa box at the back post, resulted in Hall having his effort tipped behind by the impressive Sam Lewis. Another cross from McKnight a couple of minutes later found it’s way to the unmarked Tyrese Hall at the back post of the Aston Villa box. However, Hall was unlucky as he ended up putting the ball over the goal. Spurs continued to create chances. Jaden Williams’ lofted pass through to George Abbott inside the Aston Villa box, resulted in Abbott having an effort saved by Lewis. However, after Aston Villa player Todd Alcock made a good run in behind the Spurs defence to latch onto Travis Patterson’s pass, he continued into the Spurs box, before finding the bottom right hand corner of Maguire’s goal, 0-2. An impressive challenge from Archie Chaplin on Travis Patterson inside the Spurs box, stopped a chance for Aston Villa late on in the game, with the referee sounding the full-time whistle moments later. Spurs’ next Premier League South game is away to Reading, next Saturday (the game starts at 11.30am).

Player reviews:

• Aaron Maguire: The second year scholar and goalkeeper had a solid game in goal, and couldn’t have done anything to stop either of Aston Villa’s goals. Maguire made one really good save with his feet during the second half.
• Maxwell McKnight: Starting this match at right-back rather than as a winger, first year scholar Maxwell McKnight often stayed quite deep to defend during much of the first half (he was still involved quite a bit in the final third). However, as the second half went on McKnight got forward down the right flank a lot more, showed his quality on the ball and delivered some good crosses into the Aston Villa box.
• Alfie Dorrington: Regardless of the score line, Alfie Dorrington formed a good defensive partnership with the slightly less experienced Archie Chaplin. Dorrington made some good defensive interventions during the game.
• Archie Chaplin: My man of the match, see below. 
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back often stayed quite deep on the pitch to help out the two centre-halves.
• George Abbott: The deepest of the two central midfielders got forward with the ball well, and was involved in some clever play in the final third. Abbott was unlucky not to score again today.
• Billy Heaps: The midfielder started the match just ahead of George Abbott in central-midfield, where he worked hard during his 61 minutes on the pitch.
• Sam Amo-Ameyaw: Showing some really good skill on the ball out on the right flank. Particularly during the first half the schoolboy footballer was very direct with the ball and would really test Aston Villa left-back Harvey Rhoades. This was in my opinion Amo-Ameyaw’s best game so far for the Spurs Under 18 side.
• Han Willhoft-King: Starting the game as a CAM but later going to a central-midfield role, the hardworking midfielder once again showed good composure with the ball when he went on forward runs.
• Riley Owen: Again showing good skill on the ball, left-winger Riley Owen was direct with the ball and went on some skilful runs with it.
• Jaden Williams: The Spurs captain was very unlucky not to score today, such was his good movement and hard work off the ball.
• Damola Ajayi: The second half substitute initially went to start in the CAM position, but later went out to the left flank, on his debut for Spurs at this level.
• Tyrese Hall: The schoolboy footballer made his fourth appearance of the season for Spurs’ Under 18 side today, when he came on in the second half. A skilful player with the ball, Hall went to the CAM role following his introduction to the game. On another day he could have scored a brace.

My man of the match: Archie Chaplin. The centre-half had a very good game on the left side of central defence. The schoolboy footballer made some really good clearances, challenges and defensive interventions against Aston Villa, and his overall reading of the game was very good. Chaplin is a very quick defender, and he formed a good central-defensive partnership with Alfie Dorrington.