Spurs’ Under 18 side progressed to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, by defeating West Bromwich Albion 6-1, on Friday afternoon at Hotspur Way. Spurs won the match in style, and they will now face Wolverhampton Wanderers (away) in the next round of the competition. Luca Gunter started in goal for Spurs, while a back four consisting of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett-Valton lined-up in defence. Han Willhoft-King and Rio Kyerematen started in central midfield, while Maxwell McKnight and Thomas Bloxham started out on the flanks, either side of CAM and captain Alfie Devine. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. West Brom got the game underway in Enfield, and they created the first real chance of the game. After Fenton Heard passed the ball to Reyes Cleary inside the Spurs box, the West Brom centre-forward hit his effort over Luca Gunter’s goal. Alfie Devine headed Thomas Bloxham’s corner-kick into the side netting of the West Brom goal, a couple of minutes later, after making a good run to the near post. Jaden Williams had an effort saved inside the West Brom box, from goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead, after a clearance from Alex Williams came his way.

Jordan Hackett-Valton did well to block an effort from Reyes Cleary, before Rio Kyerematen had an effort saved by Hollingshead, at the other end of the pitch. Reyes Cleary hit a free-kick from out on the left, wide of Luca Gunter’s goal, before Rico Richards then hit a free-kick wide of the Spurs goal. Spurs then took the lead in the 26th minute of the game, through the impressive Jaden Williams. After receiving Rio Kyerematen’s pass out on the left flank, Thomas Bloxham came inside onto his right foot. The skilful winger then hit an effort towards the goal off his right foot, and the ball ended up hitting Ronnie Hollingshead’s left post, before coming to Williams, whose initial effort was well saved by Hollingshead, before Williams then found the back of the net at the second time of asking, 1-0. A good threaded pass from Bloxham, into the feet of Williams soon afterwards, resulted in the Spurs centre-forward having his low effort on goal saved well by Hollingshead. Spurs then doubled their lead a couple of minutes later, after Maxwell McKnight received Bloxham’s pass out on the right flank, before whipping a low cross into the West Brom penalty area. His cross was met by Jaden Williams, whose low first time effort went past Hollingshead and into the back of the goal, 2-0.

After receiving Rio Kyerematen’s pass on the edge of the West Brom box following a good forward run from the Spurs midfielder, Alfie Devine hit an effort over the West Brom goal, in what turned out to be the final chance of the first half. Spurs got the second half underway and not long into the half Maxwell McKnight had an effort tipped over by Ronnie Hollingshead. Charlie Sayers did well to block behind Reyes Cleary’s effort, before Spurs made it 3-0, thanks to a great solo goal from Alfie Devine. After receiving the ball Devine embarked on an excellent mazy run into the West Brom penalty area, before then finishing low past Hollingshead, and into the back of the goal, 3-0. However, West Brom had a great chance to try and get back into the game, after Alfie Dorrington fouled Reyes Cleary inside the Spurs box, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Cleary stepped up to direct the ball into the middle of the goal and past Gunter, who had dived to his right, 3-1.

Rio Kyerematen had an effort blocked behind for a corner-kick, before Spurs extended their lead from that set-piece. Thomas Bloxham managed to find Rio Kyerematen down the right side of the West Brom box, and although his effort was saved by Hollingshead, the ball came to Charlie Sayers, who managed to finish from close range, 4-1. Less than ten minutes later Spurs managed to get their fifth goal of the game, and it was a deserved one for Thomas Bloxham. Jaden Williams cut the ball back for Bloxham, inside the West Brom penalty area, and the Spurs winger powerfully finished past Hollingshead, 5-1. McKnight hit a low effort narrowly wide from out on the right side of the West Brom box, but then Thomas Bloxham got his second goal of the game. Bloxham tapping home from Rio Kyerematen’s low cross into the West Brom box, 6-1. Han Willhoft-King and Thomas Bloxham were replaced by Jamie Donley and Sam Amo-Ameyaw, and then Billy Heaps replaced Maxwell McKnight not long after. 

Luca Gunter did well to stop Reyes Cleary’s thumping effort late on in the game, before Brandon Bryan-Waugh did well to block a volleyed effort from Rico Richards. The final score – Spurs 6-1 West Bromwich Albion. 

Player reviews:

• Luca Gunter: The first year scholar didn’t have an awful lot of saves to make today. Gunter did however, make a good one to stop Reyes Cleary from scoring his second goal of the game, late on in the match.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: This was another good all-round performance from the right-back, who defended well against West Brom winger Rico Richards, throughout the match.
• Alfie Dorrington: Apart from conceding a foul on Reyes Cleary which led to a West Brom penalty in the second half, I thought that Dorrington worked well with Charlie Sayers in central defence, and also brought the ball out well from the back. 
• Charlie Sayers: This was another solid performance from the recent Spurs signing, which also saw Charlie Sayers score another goal. 
• Jordan Hackett-Valton: The left-back made an important defensive intervention at 0-0, and also made a good block as well.
• Han Willhoft-King: The skilful midfielder likes to receive the ball and go on skilful forward runs. And the schoolboy footballer did it really well on a couple of occasions today as well, while playing as the deepest of the two central midfielders. 
• Rio Kyerematen: This was a good performance from the central midfielder, who set-up two goals against West Brom, and got forward well. 
• Maxwell McKnight: This was another strong performance from the Colchester born footballer. Playing out on the right flank as a winger, McKnight got one assist and was also very direct both with and without the ball. 
• Alfie Devine: The Spurs captain showed good leadership throughout the game, and his quality with the ball at his feet really showed during the match, and he played the game with a real elegance about him. And his excellent solo goal was taken really well. 
• Thomas Bloxham: My man of the match, see below.
• Jaden Williams: This was a very good performance from the centre-forward, who made some good runs in-behind, led the line well and was potent inside the West Brom box. Jaden took both of his goals well and got an assist as well. 
• Jamie Donley: The late substitute played just behind centre-forward Jaden Williams, in the CAM role.
• Sam Amo-Ameyaw: The second half substitute played in midfield, following his introduction.
• Billy Heaps: The first year scholar and midfielder came on as a late substitute in the second half.

My man of the match: Thomas Bloxham: Starting out on the left flank as a winger, first year scholar Thomas Bloxham was very influential in the game. Bloxham took responsibility with the ball and was unpredictable with it. He took both of his second half goals well, but he was also involved in some of the other goals today as well. The skilful player also worked really well off the ball.

Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, on Thursday evening, at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side won 5-1, in what was a really good team performance, against a good Ipswich side. Luca Gunter started in goal. Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett, started in defence. Han Willhoft-King and Rio Kyerematen started in midfield, while Maxwell McKnight and Tyrese Hall started out on the flanks, either side of CAM and captain Alfie Devine. Jaden Williams returned to lead the line for Spurs. Ipswich got the game underway. An early but hugely important challenge from recent Spurs signing Charlie Sayers, on on the edge of the Spurs box on Ipswich player Gerrard Buabo, stopped a promising move from Ipswich. Soon afterwards Tyrese Hall whipped a good effort across the face of the Ipswich goal, from the left flank, and then in the sixth minute of the game Spurs took the lead. Maxwell McKnight crossed the ball into the Ipswich box, looking to find teammate Jaden Williams. Williams managed to get to the ball and although his first time effort was saved by goalkeeper Lewis Ridd, the ball came back to the first year scholar, and he hit the ball into the roof of the goal, 1-0.

A good run from Gerrard Buabo, into the Spurs box ended after his low effort was blocked by Charlie Sayers, who was having a good start to the game. Tawanda Chirewa hit an effort over Luca Gunter’s goal, before Albie Armin headed over an Ipswich corner-kick. Spurs doubled their lead a couple of minutes later, as a good move which saw McKnight pass the ball to Willhoft-King inside the Ipswich penalty area, ended with the midfielder passing the ball to Devine. The former Wigan Athletic player skilfully stepped past an Ipswich defender, before calmly hitting the ball low and with accuracy past Lewis Ridd, and into the back of the goal, 2-0. The last chance of the half was for Ipswich, as Jack Manly’s low effort deflected behind off of defender Alfie Dorrington. Spurs got the second half underway. Ipswich centre-forward Ashley Boatswain hit a deflected over on the turn, from the edge of the Spurs box, before some really good defending from Charlie Sayers meant that he ended up stopping Gerrard Buabo from being able to go through on goal.  

Luca Gunter made a good save from an effort inside the Spurs box, before Dorrington cleared a header from a corner-kick, off the Spurs goal line. Tawanda Chirewa hit an effort wide of the Spurs goal, and then Ipswich’s good start to the half saw them get a goal back. Luca Gunter couldn’t gather a headed effort inside the Spurs box, and then shortly afterwards Ashley Boatswain got on the ball and finished well on the turn, 2-1. Spurs responded by making a change, as Dante Cassanova replaced Rio Kyerematen in midfield. Tawanda Chirewa had a low effort saved by Gunter a couple of moments later, before Khalon Haysman replaced Tyrese Hall. Brandon Bryan-Waugh saw his deflected effort go wide of the Ipswich goal, before Spurs made another change, this time seeing Jaden Williams leave the pitch to be replaced by Jez Davies. Jordan Hackett received a yellow card as the game could have went either way. However, a good ball over the top of the Ipswich defence from Alfie Dorrington, resulted in Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Ridd colliding with teammate Edwin Adbaje, allowing Jez Davies to receive the ball inside the Ipswich box, and allow him to just tap the ball into the empty net, 3-1.

Tawanda Chirewa whipped a good effort wide from an Ipswich free-kick, before Brandon Bryan-Waugh fouled Jesse Nwabueze inside the Spurs box, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. However, Luca Gunter made a really good save after diving to his left to stop Tawanda Chirewa’s effort from going in. Spurs made it 4-1 moments later, as Dante Cassanova played a pass into Jez Davies, inside the Ipswich box. Davies very unselfishly passed the ball across to Khalon Haysman, who had his initial effort saved by Lewis Ridd, before finding the back of the goal with his following effort. Ashley Boatswain hit an effort over from inside the Spurs box, and then Spurs made it 5-1, in what turned out to be the final chance of the game. After receiving Maxwell McKnight’s pass inside the Ipswich box, Jez Davies hit a powerful low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the Ipswich goal, 5-1. Spurs will now play West Brom in the fourth round of the competition. They won’t play another game at this level until early in the new year.

Player reviews: 

• Luca Gunter: Making an excellent save from a penalty in the second half, Spurs goalkeeper Luca Gunter also commanded his box well, dealing well with crosses and set-pieces.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: This was a good defensive performance from the right-back. The Spurs defender made some good challenges during the game, and also got forward well on occasions.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right-sided centre-half teamed up well with Charlie Sayers in defence, made a really important headed clearance off the line in the second half, and he was good on the ball and at passing it out from the back. 
• Charlie Sayers: My man of the match, see below.
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back went on some surging runs down the left flank, to help Spurs go forward down that side of the pitch.
• Han Willhoft-King: Going on some nice and skilful runs with the ball, midfielder Han Willhoft-King was reliable with the ball. He was also good off the ball in a defensive sense.
• Rio Kyerematen: The Spurs midfielder worked well with Willhoft-King during his time on the pitch, and like Willhoft-King, Kyerematen went on some good runs forward with the ball.
• Maxwell McKnight: This was a really good performance from the player from Colchester, who was involved in three of Spurs’ goals against Ipswich. McKnight went on some really good runs forward with the ball, made some good passes and tracked back well.
• Alfie Devine: Taking up really good positions all over the pitch, second year scholar Alfie Devine was very good for Spurs against Ipswich. The CAM took his goal so well, but it was his excellent movement off the ball and runs forward, which really helped Spurs. Devine worked really hard to try and influence the game.
• Tyrese Hall: Showing some good skill on the ball from out on the left flank, this was Tyrese Hall’s second ever appearance for Spurs at this level.
• Jaden Williams: Taking his early goal well, Jaden Williams linked-up well with Alfie Devine and also pressed the Ipswich defence well, during his time on the pitch.
• Dante Cassanova: The second half substitute was involved in Spurs’ fourth goal of the game, after going into midfield.
• Khalon Haysman: The second half substitute played out on the left flank, and he got a late and important goal against Ipswich. 
• Jez Davies: The substitute made an excellent impression on the game, after replacing centre-forward Jaden Williams. Davies got two goals and an assist, in what was a very good performance from the second year scholar.

My man of the match: Charlie Sayers. The Spurs defender had in my opinion a very solid game in central-defence. The former Southend United player made two really important defensive interventions during the first half, and the second year scholar also worked really well with Alfie Dorrington. Sayers was assured in defence and kept very good positioning throughout the game.

Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Leicester City at Hotspur Way on Saturday in their latest Premier League South game. Spurs lost the game 3-0, with Leicester creating more chances than the home side on the day. Luca Gunter started in goal for Spurs, while a back four consisting of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett, started in-front of him. Han Willhoft-King and captain Alfie Devine started in midfield, as Maxwell McKnight and Amo-Ameyaw started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Tyrese Hall. Thomas Bloxham led the line for Spurs. Leicester got the game started, and they started the match well. Defender Alfie Dorrington had to make an important block early on, to stop Joe Wormleighton’s effort from testing Luca Gunter inside the Spurs penalty area. Soon afterwards Chris Popov hit a low effort wide of the Spurs goal, after he received a pass from Will Alves inside the Spurs box. At the other end of the pitch Alfie Devine saw his deflected effort from distance go just wide of the Leicester goal. A couple of minutes later Devine set-up Sam Amo-Ameyaw with a good pass. Amo-Ameyaw took the ball into the Leicester box and tried to go past their goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze, but the Leicester goalkeeper managed to gather the ball. 

A good run from Chris Popov down the left side of the Spurs box resulted in him having an effort saved by Gunter. Then at the other end of the pitch, Tyrese Hall turned inside the Leicester penalty area, before having an effort saved by Kelechi Chibueze. Dorrington headed narrowly wide from a free-kick from Thomas Bloxham, and then Maxwell McKnight hit a cross into the Leicester box, which went just wide of the goal. Leicester came very close to taking the lead just before half-time, after Chris Popov entered the Spurs box, before Alfie Dorrington made a superb sliding challenge to stop him from scoring. Then the ball came to Brandon Cover, whose effort was really well saved by Gunter, in what was the final chance of the first half. Oliver Irow replaced Alfie Devine for the start of the second half, which Spurs got underway. Brandon Cover hit an effort wide from the edge of the Spurs box, before a good pass from Jordan Hackett to Oliver Irow inside the Leicester box, resulted in the debutant having a low effort saved by the Leicester goalkeeper. After cutting inside onto his left foot from the right flank, Chris Popov had a good effort saved and later gathered by Luca Gunter. 

A couple of moments after Leicester’s last chance, Chris Popov went down the right hand side of the Spurs box, before having an effort on goal saved well by Gunter. The ball then fell nicely for Will Alves, but Gunter once again made a really fine save to stop him from scoring. However, in the 56th minute of the game Leicester took the lead. Jack Butterfill’s cross wasn’t gathered by Luca Gunter, and the ball came to Chris Popov inside the centre of the Spurs box, and he was able to hit the ball past Gunter and into the back of the goal, 0-1. Soon after the game got started again Popov won the ball of Dorrington in a good position, he then went on a really good run forward, before eventually hitting an effort just wide of the Spurs goal. Brandon Bryan-Waugh had a deflected effort following a corner-kick, go just wide of the Leicester goal, before Renaldo Torraj came on to replace Sam Amo-Ameyaw. Chris Popov whipped home a great effort from a free-kick on the edge of the Spurs box moments later into the top right hand corner of the Spurs goal, 0-2. Then less than six minutes later Chris Popov got his hat-trick to extend Leicester’s lead further. A clinical move on the break from the away side resulted in Chris Popov receiving Henry Cartwright’s pass as he continued forward. Popov eventually took the ball inside the Spurs box, before finishing with a low effort past Gunter, 0-3.

Jahziah Linton replaced Jordan Hackett at left-back, before debutant Tyrese Hall won a free-kick right on the edge of the Leicester box, from which he tested Kelechi Chibueze with a low effort. Leicester substitute Abdullah Javid went on a good run with the ball, late on in the game, before having his effort blocked superbly well by a sliding challenge from Brandon Bryan-Waugh inside the Spurs box. It was to be the final moment of note from the game. Spurs’ final game of this year at this level is on Thursday, when they face Ipswich Town in the third round of this seasons FA Youth Cup, at The Lamex Stadium.

Player reviews:

• Luca Gunter: The Spurs goalkeeper made some really good saves today, to stop Leicester from winning by more than 3-0.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The right-back got up and down the right-flank really well, linked-up well with Maxwell McKnight down that side of the pitch, and was solid defensively. I thought that the first year scholar was one of Spurs’ best players today.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half had a really strong first half, was on the ball a lot and made one superb defensive intervention. 
• Charlie Sayers: The recent Spurs signing from Southend United looked assured in defence on his home debut at this level. He also made some nice passes out from defence.
• Jordan Hackett: Going on some good runs down the left flank, left-back Jordan Hackett used the ball well.
• Han Willhoft-King: My man of the match, see below.
• Alfie Devine: This was the former Wigan Athletic players’ first appearance for the Under 18 side of the season, as he made his first start since returning from injury. Devine played in central-midfield, and during the first half he showed good pace and a real desire to try and influence the game. Devine came close to scoring during the first half and he created a good chance for Sam Amo-Ameyaw. Devine was replaced at half-time.
• Maxwell McKnight: I thought that the winger helped out quite a lot defensively and linked-up well with Bryan-Waugh.
• Tyrese Hall: Playing as the CAM on his debut at this level, Tyrese Hall managed two attempts on target during the game.
• Sam Amo-Ameyaw: The winger had one good chance to score from during his time on the pitch, but the Leicester goalkeeper did well to gather the ball. 
• Thomas Bloxham: Playing out of position during the first half at centre-forward, Thomas Bloxham made some good runs. He later played in central-midfield during the second half.
• Oliver Irow: Another debutant at this level, Oliver Irow came on for the second half. He worked hard and didn’t look out of place at this level.
• Renaldo Torraj: The second half substitute was lively and very direct out on the left flank following his introduction.
• Jahziah Linton: The second half substitute played at left-back during the latter stages of the game, after replacing Jordan Hackett.

My man of the match: Han Willhoft-King. The schoolboy footballer was making only his third competitive appearance at this level on Saturday. Playing as the deepest of the two central-midfielders, Willhoft-King had a good and solid first half alongside Alfie Devine, and then during the second half he improved further. In the second half the midfielder got on the ball more and there were two occasions where he went on some really good and skilful forward runs from midfield. Willhoft-King worked really hard and covered a lot of ground. He had a good game for Spurs, today.

Spurs’ Under 18 side played their final Premier League Cup group stage game of this season on Saturday. Head coach Stuart Lewis saw his side lose 4-0 to a Fulham side who dominated the game from start to finish. Saturday’s defeat means that Spurs are now officially out of this seasons Premier League Cup. Spurs started with Adam Hayton in goal, while a back four consisting of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jahziah Linton started in-front of him. Captain Dante Cassanova and Khalon Haysman started in central midfield, while Maxwell McKnight and Renaldo Torraj started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Jez Davies. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Fulham got the game underway on a very cold and rainy day, and early on in the game George Okkas hit an effort over the Spurs goal from distance. In the 16th minute of the game Fulham took the lead through Jaylan Wildbore, who after receiving the ball on the right flank managed to cleverly work his way into the Spurs box, where he was met by the outrushing Spurs goalkeeper Adam Hayton. However, Jaylan Wildbore managed to slot the ball past Hayton and into the back of the net from close range, 0-1. Fulham continued to create chances following their opener, and they doubled their advantage through the impressive Olly Sanderson on 26 minutes. The Fulham forward finishing well past Hayton from inside the Spurs penalty area, 0-2.

Soon after conceding their second goal of the game Spurs went 3-0 down. A pass out from the Spurs box from Adam Hayton came to George Okkas outside the box, and the Fulham player was able to finish past Hayton, who was out of position and into the back of the goal, 0-3. The second half initially started well for Spurs, who came close to getting a goal back early on in the half after Jaden Williams met Maxwell McKnight’s good cross from the right flank inside the Fulham box. However, Williams’ impressive headed effort came off the upright of goalkeeper Michael Allen’s goal before going clear of the goal. Defender Alfie Dorrington made a good block inside the Spurs box to stop Lemar Gordon’s effort from testing Adam Hayton in the Spurs goal. Khalon Haysman then curled over a free-kick for Spurs, before Fulham made it 4-0 after Jaylan Wildbore’s whipped low cross from the right was met by Imani Lanquedoc inside the Spurs box, and he finished well past Hayton with a first time effort, 0-4. Hayton saved Lemar Gordon’s effort well, before Terrell Works missed a one on one from inside the Spurs penalty area late on in the game, as Fulham won 4-0. Spurs made three substitutions in the second half, as Riley Owen, Thomas Bloxham and Jordan Hackett came on. Spurs’ next game at this level is away to Crystal Palace, in the Premier League South, next Saturday.

My man of the match: Jaden Williams. The centre-forward came very close to getting a goal back for Spurs early on in the second half from a header. However, I thought that Jaden’s work off the ball and pressing were very good during his 69 minutes on the pitch.