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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spurs’ 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.