Spurs under 21’s 1-1 Crawley Town (Crawley won 5-3 on penalties): (match report)

Our development side got this seasons Checkatrade trophy campaign underway when they took on league two side Crawley Town on Tuesday night. Wayne Burnett’s under 21 side were hoping to improve in the competition this season after making their debut in it during the 2017/18 season. Without the talented defensive duo of Japhet Tanganga and TJ Eyoma who had already gone away on international duty with England, Burnett was forced into fielding a whole host of players from our under 18 side. It was a much changed side to the one which had lost 2-1 to Arsenal on Friday. Our visit to Crawley saw first year scholars Malachi Walcott and Luis Binks start in a back three as they made their debuts at this level. Furthermore, second year scholars Paris Maghoma and Jamie Bowden formed an effective partnership in central midfield. Burnett also showed faith in several more of our under 18’s, such as Harvey White and J’Neil Bennett (both 16) who joined Armando Shashoua and Troy Parrott on the Spurs bench. Burnett had shown faith in this extremely young Spurs side and they didn’t let him down, they were superb against the league two outfit. Playing beyond their years, the young Lilywhites rose to the occasion, putting in an impressive and assertive performance against the much more physical and experienced Crawley Town. Burnett’s side were confident and assured in their play during their 1-1 draw with the Red Devil’s. They read the game well, defended impeccably and knew when to burst forwards. In my opinion our youngsters put in an even better performance than the one in which our under 23’s put in against Liverpool only a couple of weeks earlier. Despite losing 5-3 on penalties to the Sussex club which saw Burnett’s side miss out on the extra bonus point on offer, Spurs came back to London with a valuable and hugely respectable point. Combative and willing to battle with the much more physical opposition, Spurs were highly competitive throughout what was a very close first half with few clear cut chances falling for either side. The second half was a lot more open as both sides tried to break the deadlock with their attractive style of football.

Shayon Harrison pounced on a poor pass from Dannie Bulman to finish well from inside the penalty area to give Spurs the lead on 50 minutes. However, our lead would only last for nine minutes, Crawley centre defender Bondz N’Gala drew level for the league two side after volleying home from Lewis Young’s free kick. An exciting 30 or so minutes remained as both sides tried to find the winner. However, despite their best efforts neither side could find that illusive goal and the game ended up going to a penalty shootout to determine who would get the extra bonus point. Sadly, Paris Maghoma missed the decisive penalty for Spurs owing only to a fantastic save from the Crawley goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin. Unfortunately for Burnett’s young side, Crawley’s David Sesay converted the resulting penalty kick to earn the home side the extra point. Originally scheduled to kick off at 7:45 pm, our Checkatrade trophy game was delayed by 15 minutes owing to traffic problems. Burnett’s young and experimental side played in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Brandon Austin starting in goal. In front of the 19 year old goalkeeper was a back three of Jonathan Dinzeyi, Malachi Walcott and Luis Binks. Four Tottenham players started in the midfield, with George Marsh and Jaden Brown operating as wingbacks, whilst Maghoma and Bowden started in the centre of the park. In front of the midfield was the attacking triangle of Oakley-Boothe and Roles (both of whom played outwide) whilst the most experienced member of the team Shayon Harrison led the line. The home team got the game underway but it was Burnett’s side who had the first real chance of the game, only a couple of minutes in. A good move from the young Lilywhites saw Maghoma play in Harrison down the left hand side of the penalty area with a nicely weighted pass. However, the Tottenham forward was closed down well by Crawley defender Joe McNerney who blocked his effort out for a corner. Luke Young’s corner kick caused havoc in the Spurs box at the other end pitch. As Spurs frantically tried to clear Panutche Camara’s header inside the penalty area.

Paris Maghoma had taken the game by the scruff of the neck during the opening stages, and the creative midfielder came close to giving Spurs the lead through a move of his own making. Maghoma burst forward through the centre of the park, the 17 year old tricked his way past Camara before firing an effort narrowly wide of the Crawley goal from 25 yards out. It had been a lively start to the game as both sides tried to move the ball around the park. However, it had been Burnett’s side who had started the game the brightest of the two teams. Another move orchestrated by Maghoma saw the midfielder exchange passes with Harrison on the edge of the Crawley penalty area, before blasting the ball over Mersin’s crossbar. Jack Roles then had a shot blocked by Camara on the edge of the penalty area, as Spurs continued to put pressure on the hosts. Limited mainly to set pieces, Lewis Young’s free kick into the danger zone deceived everyone in a red shirt as it went harmlessly wide for a goal kick. Burnett’s side came close to opening the scoring when Jaden Brown whipped a menacing ball into the box after receiving Maghoma’s pass. The left wing backs delivery was only just missed by Roles who came sliding in at the near post, but failed to make contact with the ball. A heroic piece of defending from Marsh prevented Crawley from breaking the deadlock a couple of minutes later. A sharp incisive move from the home team saw Young pass the ball to Camara on the edge of the penalty area. Camara quickly slipped the ball into Randall inside the box, but just as he was about to pull the trigger Marsh came sprinting across his man to make a goal saving sliding challenge. The alert Jonathan Dinzeyi then made a good header at the back post to clear Young’s menacing cross into the danger zone. Crawley whipped another dangerous ball into the penalty area, this time through McNerney whose pacy delivery was glanced marginally wide of Austin’s goal by Tarryn Allarakhia.

The lively Jack Roles then won a free kick in a promising position out on the right wing, after some fancy footwork from the Cypriot youth international drew a foul from a Crawley player. However, Bowden’s resulting delivery ended up going straight down the throat of Crawley goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin. The game was quickly gathering pace with action aplenty at both ends of the pitch, as both sides went in search of the opening goal of the game. Dannie Bulman came close to gifting the home side the lead after he cut inside Binks down the right before firing over. Shayon Harrison forced a save out of Mersin a couple of moments later, after the centre forward picked up Jack Roles’ pass on the edge of the Crawley penalty area. The tricky Harrison managed to hold off his man before forcing a good stop out of Mersin at his bottom left with a powerful effort. Brandon Austin was then tested for the first real time after the 19 year old was forced to deal with Bulman’s fizzing effort from range, which Austin was just able to palm behind for a corner at his bottom left. The Crawley midfielders effort had plenty of swerve on it and had almost caught the Spurs goalkeeper by surprise. The energetic Jack Roles made a hugely important interception shortly afterwards to win the ball off of Camara inside the penalty area. Lewis Young then saw his headed attempt at goal cleared by Jaden Brown as Spurs continued to quell Crawley’s attacking onslaught towards the latter stages of the half. However, Burnett’s side were still seeing more of the ball and they were continuing to create chances through the middle. An intricate move from the young Lilywhites saw Maghoma pass the ball to Harrison, the forward then shifted the ball out to Brown who went galavanting down the left hand side before whipping the ball into the danger zone. Brown’s cross was cleared away by a Crawley defender but only into the feet of Harrison who was waiting on the edge of the box as the centre forward blasted the ball over the crossbar with a poorly struck volley.

Passing the ball around the park in the final minutes of the half it was quite obvious that Burnett’s side just wanted to go into halftime with the scores all level. However, Crawley came a matter of inches away from taking the lead right on the stroke of half time. After Crawley defender Joe McNerney cut inside from the right wing, McNerney shimmied past Binks on the edge of the box before curling an effort across goal and narrowly wide of Austin’s right hand post to wrap up an entertaining first half of football. Spurs got the second half underway as Burnett’s young lads tried to continue to hold their own against the considerably more physical opposition. And the Red Devil’s started the half quite brightly, after Maghoma gave the ball away to Young, the Crawley skipper charged down the right flank before continuing towards the edge of the Tottenham penalty area where he dragged an effort wide of goal courtesy of a deflection off of Dinzeyi on the way. Paris Maghoma made amends for giving the ball away moments later when he produced an important block to thwart Camara’s effort on goal from the resulting corner kick. Having managed to survive this spell of pressure that Crawley had put them under, Burnett’s side were continuing to work hard in order to create chances of their own. Harrison didn’t need any of his players to help him out after the Tottenham forward had the ball played into him inside the penalty area on 49 minutes. Harrison couldn’t believe his luck as Bulman passed the ball to him inside the penalty area whilst trying to find Mersin. Harrison picked up the ball down the left hand side of the penalty, the youngster looked up at goal as Mersin struggled to get back into position and fired a low effort towards the far corner of the goal. Harrison’s shot struck the inside of the right hand post before bouncing across the goal and into the opposite side of the net, 1-0. It was a typical poachers goals from a player who I have seen score those kind of goals for what feels like a very long time.

After having taken a deserved lead the big test for Burnett’s youngsters was finding a way to hold on to that lead. The so far uninvolved Oakley-Boothe managed to win a free kick for Spurs on the edge of the penalty area. However, Maghoma’s resulting effort was driven straight into the Crawley wall. The ball came out to Marsh on the edge of the penalty area, the right wing back steadied himself before lashing the ball high over Mersin’s crossbar. The fast paced start to the half continued as Camara attempted to play in Dominic Poleon down the right side of the Tottenham penalty. And Camara almost succeeded in picking the former Leeds man out but for a vital interception from the alert Binks to break up the attack. The referee Tim Robinson temporarily halted play after Brown and Maghoma clattered into each other out on the left wing. The impressive Luis Binks then made an important block inside the Tottenham box to block Bulman’s header after the Crawley midfielder had gotten on the end of Young’s corner kick. Despite our impeccable defending we were caught out by a Crawley free kick in the 59th minute. Lewis Young’s in swinging delivery from the right managed to pick out Bondz N’Gala in the centre of the penalty area. The physically imposing defender managed to get to the ball before Dinzeyi to stab the ball into the top right hand corner of Austin’s goal, from only four yards out. N’Gala’s unstoppable volley had given Austin no time to react, it was a fine finish from the Crawley centre half, 1-1. The referee had been very harsh on Walcott to award the free kick in the first place for a supposed foul from the the 16 year old. A player who was doing an excellent job in the centre of the park was Jamie Bowden, and the creative 17 year old almost managed to pick out Harrison in the penalty area with a lovely pass over the top of the Crawley defence. However, Harrison couldn’t quite get the ball down in time as a Crawley defender got back to clear. Spurs were trying incredibly hard to regain their lead.

The skilful Jack Roles managed to turn his man wonderfully before passing the ball to Harrison on the edge of the penalty area. Harrison managed to sort his feet out quickly before forcing a good save out of Mersin who got down to the stop his powerful low effort at goal. The particularly attacking Jaden Brown almost managed to play the ball into Harrison a couple of moments later. Oakley-Boothe saw his cross into the box come off the top of Mersin’s crossbar a few minutes later whilst Roles tested Mersin from range with a low effort as Spurs continued to trouble the league two sides defence. Spurs’ good spell of possession continued as Jack Roles had an effort blocked by N’Gala before Burnett’s side had a penalty claim waved away by the the referee, after Oakley-Boothe was brought down inside the area by Poleon after the teenager had surged past his man. Despite being relatively comfortable in possession young Malachi Walcott’s poorly weighted back pass towards Austin allowed Poleon a clean route through to goal. Poleon darted down the left side of the penalty area where he came one on one with Austin who managed to close down his angles well before making an excellent stop to prevent Poleon’s powerful effort. Before the alert Luis Binks got back to deny the Crawley forwards follow up with a superb sliding challenge. Spurs then broke forwards down the other end as Brown charged down the left wing before forcing a decent stop out of Mersin at his near post. After a frantic five or so minutes of action at both ends, Burnett was forced into making his first substitution of the game after Harrison had picked up an injury. Burnett brought on young Troy Parrott for the remaining 12 minutes of the game. The tireless George Marsh produced a superb block to thwart Allarakhia’s effort on goal a couple of minutes later. Whilst Brandon Austin almost found himself in a spot of bother after he spilt a Crawley free kick inside the penalty area.

Both sides were really pushing for that late winner and this meant that both teams defences were very open. A teasing cross into the box from Marsh out on the right hand side only just evaded Roles who came ghosting into the penalty area. 16 year old J’Neil Bennett was brought on shortly afterwards in place of Tashan Oakley-Boothe as Burnett tried to inject some pace into the Spurs side. A lot more confident and creative in the second half, Bowden almost managed to play the newly introduced winger through on goal with a well weighted pass through the Crawley defence. Brandon Austin wasn’t taking any chances with substitute Brian Galach’s menacing ball into the penalty area, as the Tottenham goalkeeper tipped the ball over the bar and out for a corner kick at the other end. Brown produced a fine piece of defending to get a vital touch to Camara’s resulting volley from inside the penalty area after the striker had gotten on the end of the resulting corner kick. Then came a late confrontation between both sets of players, after a nasty sliding challenge from Maguire on Roles, tempers started to flare. The Crawley defender was unhappy that Roles was still on the floor as he lay in pain. So Maguire attempted to haul him up by the back of his shirt, this annoyed Dinzeyi and Marsh who rushed towards the Crawley man to confront him. However, Roles got back on his feet to prevent his teammates from getting themselves in any unnecessary trouble. Spurs had a late chance to win the game after Bowden whipped an inviting free kick into the danger zone. Luis Binks tried his best to get to the the ball but the defender just missed it, as Mersin gathered. Austin was forced into action during the last couple of minutes of the game to punch clear Randall’s free kick as he ended up taking out Binks in the process. The same player had a free kick blocked by the Spurs wall shortly afterwards as McNerney blazed over on the rebound. The extra point would be decided by a penalty shootout.

Crawley had the advantage of taking the first penalty of the shootout, as Crawley skipper Lewis Young stepped up to take. Young’s slightly fortuitous effort straight down the middle of the goal, came off of the underside of the crossbar before bouncing up into the roof of the net, 1-0. Young Luis Binks replied for Spurs with a cool penalty which was fired into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. The Red Devil’s then made it 2-1 after Dominic Poleon slotted home, whilst the typically calm Jack Roles paid no attention to the jeering Crawley fans as he made it 2-2 with a finish into the top right hand corner of the goal. Randall then fired home emphatically to make it 3-2, before Jamie Bowden responded by beating Mersin with a powerful effort to the keepers left. Despite the outstretched Austin diving the right way, the Spurs goalkeeper was unable to prevent Ollie Palmer from finding the bottom right hand corner of the goal to make it 4-3. Great pressure was put on the shoulders of our next penalty taker Paris Maghoma, the 17 year old went on his usual little run up. However, this time the teenager was denied by Mersin as his convincing effort towards the bottom left hand corner of the goal was stopped by the outstretched Mersin as Maghoma buried his face in his shirt in utter disappointment. David Sesay had the chance to win it for Crawley from the spot and the former Watford youngster duly obliged. Firing the ball straight down the middle to make the scores 5-3. It didn’t matter that Burnett’s side weren’t able to pick up the extra point, at the end of the day they put in a performance of real maturity. One in which demonstrated their class and ability but most importantly of all provided our younger than usual development side, with the vital experience of playing against a football league side in a competitive game. Our next game in this competition is next month where we will play in Gillingham in a must win clash at Priestfield on the 9th of October.

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: Austin put in another superb performance in between the sticks, on what was only his second appearance of the season. I was very impressed with the way in which he dealt with set pieces, and how commanding he was against some very big and physical Crawley players. Not only that, the 19 year old made a string of fine saves including an excellent one to deny Dominic Poleon from a one on one situation during the second half.
– Jonathan Dinzeyi: The most experienced member of a very young Tottenham back three, Dinzeyi played at rcb for the game against Crawley. Impressive and assertive in his defending, Dinzeyi was dominant in the air and made numerous headed clearances. I also thought that the 18 year old read the game well and apart from the odd lapse in concentration he put in a really strong performance. The one time winger would often drive out from the back in an almost Vertonghen-esque way.
– Malachi Walcott: 2002 born centre half Malachi Walcott made his debut at this level on Tuesday evening. Playing in the middle of the back three, young Walcott put in a really mature performance. Like his peer Luis Binks he played like an experienced 25 year old, his decision making was nice and effective as too was his defending. Walcott won the vast majority of his aerial duels and apart from making one error which allowed Poleon to run through on goal, he was flawless.
– Luis Binks: Like Walcott, Binks showed a maturity well beyond his years. Only two days after turning 17 Binks made his debut for the development side, playing on the left side of the back three. Making many important interceptions and challenges despite his lack of experience, the England youth international read the game even better than our other two centre half’s. There were two pieces of defending which really stood out, the vital interception he made to prevent a through ball from reaching a Crawley forward in the penalty. And also his excellent last ditch challenge/block to prevent Poleon from scoring early on in the second half. Binks also despatched his spot kick very cooly indeed.
– George Marsh: Operating as a right wing back, the 19 year old skipper led by example and put in a very solid showing down on that right hand side. Marsh got up and down the flank very well and contributed at both ends of the pitch, but it was the midfielders many important challenges, interceptions and blocks which proved so vital to Spurs picking up the point. Marsh played with aplomb.
– Jamie Bowden: My motm, see below.
– Paris Maghoma: Maghoma was pivotal to the way in which Spurs played, operating as a central midfielder the youngster produced the complete midfield performance. Strong and assertive in the middle of the park, Maghoma made such a positive contribution to the game. With his fancy footwork, movement and awareness, the 17 year old posed a real threat at both ends of the pitch. His willingness to embark on surging runs through the middle created multiple chances for Spurs as too were his many well weighted through balls which he managed to feed into Harrison. Never afraid to try his luck from range, Maghoma was brave both with and without the ball at his feet. He was productive but above all else he was hungry to influence play, to drive at the Crawley defence and to hold off players who were twice the size of him. Once again he demonstrated his great potential. Maghoma was an orchestrator for Spurs from the centre of midfield and put in a very mature performance.
– Jaden Brown: Playing as a left wing back, Brown was a real attacking threat down the left wing. With his many surging runs and pin point crosses into the danger zone, the fullback turned out to be one of our most creative players on the night. The 19 year old also got stuck in defensively and made some important defensive contributions.
– Tashan Oakley-Boothe: Playing almost as an inside forward out on the right, Oakley-Boothe struggled to get into the game for large periods of it. However, during the second half he started to play with a bit of flare about his game and was far more creative. He was however, brought off in place of Bennett with eight minutes of the game remaining.
– Jack Roles: Playing on the opposite side of Oakley-Boothe, Roles was a real live wire throughout the game. His movement was first class as too were the many runs he made in and around the six yard box. The midfielder came close to getting on the end of Brown’s menacing crosses on numerous occasions. He also passed the ball around crisply and created some good chances.
– Shayon Harrison: Harrison lasted 78 minutes of the game before being forced off through injury in the second half. He led the line by example and really played off the shoulder of the Crawley defenders. He was sharp and incisive and would often look to test Mersin from the edge of the penalty area, Harrison took his goal extremely well and made it look easy.
– Troy Parrott: The Irishman looked very sharp during his late cameo.
– J’Neil Bennett: Bennett was only on the pitch for a couple of minutes but the first year scholar showed a real willingness to take on Lewis Young down the left wing.

My man of the match: Jamie Bowden. For those spectator who were unaware of the youngsters age and previous experiences at this level, you’d of thought young Jamie was an experienced member of Spurs’ development side based on his dominant performance against Crawley. It was a very Winks-esque performance from the 17 year old in the centre of the park. Bowden stayed deeper than Maghoma and mopped up well in front of the back three, not only did he read the game exceptionally well, Bowden was feisty without being aggressive. He was a ball winning midfielder as well as a creative midfielder and provided vital protection to the back three. Rarely dispossessed throughout the game, Bowden was strong on the ball and held his own against the likes of Bulman and Randall. He was cool, calm and collected much like Winks was at the same age. However, he showed a remarkable understanding of the game and of his surroundings. He was sharp and attentive and good at breaking up play. However, as the game went on he really started to grow in confidence and made some lovely defence splitting passes through to Harrison up top, he played with a panache about his game and showed great composure. Bowden also converted his spot kick during the penalty shootout. I’m planning on writing an in-depth piece on the midfielder at some point during the international break.

Crawley Town: Mersin, Young (c), McNerney, Poleon, Nathaniel-George (Galach 46), Maguire, Allarakhia (Palmer 80), Bulman (Sesay 71), Randall, Camara, N’Gala. Substitutes (not used): Morris, Doherty, Connolly, Morais.

Spurs: Austin, Marsh, Brown, Walcott, Dinzeyi, Binks, Maghoma, Bowden, Harrison (Parrott 78), Roles, Oakley-Boothe (Bennett 82). Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Duncan, A Shashoua, White.

Goals: Crawley – N’Gala 59; Spurs – Harrison 50.

Yellow card: Crawley – Randall 85.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Stadium: Broadfield Stadium.

Attendance: 1,403.

Penalty shootout: Crawley – Young – scored
Spurs – Binks – scored
Crawley – Poleon – scored
Spurs – Roles – scored
Crawley – Randall – scored
Spurs – Bowden – scored
Crawley – Palmer – scored
Spurs – Maghoma – saved
Crawley – Sesay – scored

Spurs under 21/23’s statistics 2018/19:

Goals scored: Shayon Harrison – 2
Samuel Shashoua – 1
Marcus Edwards – 1
Jaden Brown – 1

Assists: Troy Parrott – 1
Jaden Brown – 1
Shayon Harrison – 1

Spurs under 23’s 1-2 Arsenal: (match report)

It was an experience to say the least for our development side on Friday evening when they took on Arsenal at the Emirates stadium. Wayne Burnett’s much changed side to the one that drew with Brighton the following Friday, had to deal with a quality Arsenal side, in what was the first north London derby of the season. Without the experienced trio of Georgiou, Amos and Josh Onomah who went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the day, Burnett fielded a young side for the short trip to the Emirates during our 2-1 defeat. This saw Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Brandon Austin make their first starts of the new season, whilst first year scholar J’Neil Bennett (16) came off the bench to make his debut at this level. It was a very tough evening for Spurs who were second best against a very good Arsenal team which included the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe and Joe Willock. The reigning champions of the division dominated from the offing, controlling the midfield, they were fluent in their passing and Freddie Ljunberg’s side also played with width. Often troubling us out wide, the immensely talented Xavier Amaechi and Emile Smith-Rowe were potent throughout the game. Arsenal started the game well and Burnett’s lads found themselves a goal down after just three minutes, when Joe Willock capped off a good move with a fine finish from inside the six yard box. Burnett’s tepid side struggled during the opening periods of the game against the much livelier Arsenal, and they remained on the back foot for the remainder of the half, as Ljunberg’s side dictated play. Spurs conceded another soft goal early on in the second half when Tyreece John-Jules doubled the Gunners advantage. Burnett’s side were spirited but lacking in creativity. Centre back Japhet Tanganga gave away a penalty later on in the second half, of which was taken by Charlie Gilmour only to see his effort spectacularly stopped by Austin who was our best player on the night. Spurs battled hard throughout the remainder of the game, and after Troy Parrott was sent off for his part in a late melee involving both sets of players, Spurs pulled a goal back deep in stoppage time through Jaden Brown. Nothing more than a consolation goal on the night but it did however, draw a huge cheer from the vocal away end.

At the end of the day Arsenal were far superior to us and despite a spirited performance with plenty of hard work and willingness to create, Spurs lacked the spark needed to trouble a side with the calibre of Arsenal. Burnett lined up with his familiar 4-2-3-1 formation but with a notable amount of changes from the Brighton game. Brandon Austin started in goal for the first time this season following his return from injury whilst a back four of Lyons-Foster, Eyoma, Tanganga and Brown sat in front of him. Oliver Skipp started in the middle of the park alongside the skipper George Marsh, whilst an attacking line of Harrison, Maghoma and Oakley-Boothe lined up in front of them, with young Troy Parrott leading the line for the third successive game. The Gunners got the game underway at the Emirates in front of a particularly vocal crowd (especially in the away end) at the 60,000 seater stadium. Ljunberg’s side looked sharp in the opening moments of the game. Tottenham centre half TJ Eyoma conceded a free kick on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area inside the first minute of the game after fouling John-Jules, who had done well to latch onto a long ball. Thankfully for Spurs, Xavier Amaechi’s resulting free kick was driven straight into the Spurs wall. However, Spurs’ relief was only short lived and Burnett’s side conceded a soft goal a couple of minutes later. Arsenal had looked menacing during the opening moments of the game and Spurs had been caught cold by Ljunberg’s attack minded side, in only the third minute. The move started when the speedy James Olayinka sped past Lyons-Foster down the left hand side before continuing towards the byline where he was met by Tanganga. Olayinka sent a low cross into the penalty area which was met by John-Jules. However, the centre forward failed to connect properly with the ball and it rolled out towards Joe Willock who stabbed the ball past Austin from close range, with a well improvised finish, 0-1

After taking the lead Arsenal were even more fluent in their play as they zipped the ball around the park. Struggling to form any sort of real shape, Spurs looked to respond down the other end of the pitch. Jaden Brown’s promising pass to Maghoma just evaded the midfielder inside the Arsenal penalty area. Whilst at the other end Lyons-Foster made an important clearance to get rid of Amaechi’s cross after the winger had gone on a searing run down the right wing. Shortly afterwards Shayon Harrison robbed the ball off of Smith-Rowe before attempting to feed Parrott the ball with a clever through ball, but the 21 year olds pass was snuffed out by an Arsenal defender. After a series of half chances if you could even call them that, Arsenal regained their stranglehold on the game as they attempted to extend their lead. And the Gunners came close to doing just that but for a brilliant header from Tanganga to block Smith-Rowe’s effort from the edge of the six yard box, as he prevented it from troubling Austin in the Spurs goal. Restricted to ambitious passes to the isolated Troy Parrott up top such as Skipp’s lovely lofted pass towards the Irishman which was cleared by the outrushing Martinez. Arsenal were allowed to control the game and they were happy just to play their usual passing game before embarking on the odd jinking run. The lively playmaker Smith-Rowe was continuing to cause problems for the Spurs defence and he was allowed all too easily to thread a pass through to Amaechi down the right side of the penalty area. In time and in space, Amaechi took his effort early and forced a good stop out of Austin who thwarted the wingers powerful low shot on goal. A sloppy pass from Marsh to John-Jules a couple of minutes later allowed the Arsenal forward to drive forwards through the middle.

Continuing unopposed towards the edge of the penalty area, the Arsenal centre forward played a well weighted pass into Willock inside the box. However, the midfielders powerfully struck effort was well saved by Austin who managed to palm the ball to safety. The alert Japhet Tanganga did well to block Charlie Gilmour’s powerful drive at goal a few minutes later as Spurs continued to struggle. Failing to register a single attempt on goal, Burnett’s side were lacking in creativity and their failure to use the wide men was starving Parrott of any sort of support. The potent Smith-Rowe had a goal ruled out for offside for the Gunners and once again he had been allowed far too much space and time. Forced to sit deep inside their own half Burnett’s side were defending well against the ferocious Arsenal attack. Tolaji Bola headed over after getting on the end of Amaechi’s free kick whilst Harrison attempted to play in Parrott at the other end of the pitch with a nice pass. However, the forwards through ball was over hit and Martinez came out to smother the loose ball. Looking to end the first half with a flurry, the dangerous Amaechi managed to latch onto a long ball down the right, beating Brown to the header before continuing into the penalty area before having his shot blocked by Eyoma. And the attacking onslaught from Ljunberg’s side was showing no signs of slowing down. The creative Joe Willock sent a lovely ball over the top of the Tottenham defence which Smith-Rowe was able to latch onto. Beating the outrushing Austin, Smith-Rowe rounded the Spurs goalkeeper before attempting to find John-Jules who found himself in space inside the six yard box. However, his low cross was excellently blocked by the sliding Lyons-Foster, before Tanganga cleared the loose ball, it was the last bit of action from what had a been very difficult half for Spurs.

16 year old J’Neil Bennett could be seen working on his skills during the halftime break, and the pacy winger was duly brought on for the start of the second half, to make his under 23 debut. Burnett’s side got the game back underway but once again they had been caught cold right from the start. A pacy and powerful run through the middle from Smith-Rowe started to open up the Tottenham defence. Oliver Skipp missed Smith-Rowe with his sliding challenge as the forward continued unopposed before shifting the ball out to Amaechi down the right. The speedy forward burst into the penalty area before dragging his shot dangerously across the face of Austin’s goal. Spurs responded at the other end through Maghoma whose dangerous cross into the box was headed away by Ballard. Then, the spritely J’Neil Bennett had his shot blocked by Tolaji Bola on the edge of the box, believe it or not that had been Spurs’ first attempt on goal of the game. The lively start to the second half continued as the ever potent Smith-Rowe hit the frame of Austin’s goal possibly with a touch from the Tottenham keeper, after driving through the middle once again before curling an effort towards the top left hand corner of the goal. Troy Parrott then headed wide at the back post after being picked out by George Marsh inside the penalty area. Tottenham full back Jaden Brown went into the book a couple of minutes later before Burnett’s side were dealt a further blow on 58 minutes when the Gunners doubled their lead. It was a well worked goal from Ljunberg’s side but once again it had been a sloppy one to conceded from Spurs’ point of view. Willock picked apart the Spurs defence all too easily with his nicely weighted through ball to Bola inside the box. Eyoma lunged attempting to trap the ball but the Spurs defender couldn’t clear it as Bola continued inside the area before cutting the ball back to Tyreece John-Jules who clinically guided the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Austin’s goal, from ten yards out, 0-2.

Burnett’s side had allowed Arsenal too much time and space to play their brand of football, and it had cost them dearly. After doubling their advantage Arsenal continued to control the game, dominating possession in the process. Burnett made an offensive substitution when he introduced Jack Roles for the skipper George Marsh on the hour mark in an attempt to freshen things up. And the attack minded midfielder almost managed to find Parrott at the back post with a teasing cross shortly after coming on however, it just evaded the Dubliner. Arsenal continued to threaten us, Amaechi’s run into the penalty area resulted in the 17 year old cutting the ball back to John-Jules on the edge of the box. The Arsenal forwards sliced effort went well wide of the mark as Spurs avoided further upset. Then, a couple of moments later Olayinka lobbed the ball over the Tottenham defence and into the feet of Bola whose first time effort was comfortably saved by Austin. Things got even worse for Burnett’s lads when Japhet Tanganga gave away a needless penalty after taking out Bukayo Saka inside the danger zone. After the flying wide man had burst in to the penalty area after being played in by Bola, Saka continued towards the byline with Tanganga preventing him from cutting inside. But for some reason Tanganga decided to go sliding in on Saka without winning the ball to give away a stonewall penalty. Scotsman Charlie Gilmour stood up to take the penalty for the Gunners, but Gimour’s powerful low drive was excellently stopped to his right by penalty saving specialist Brandon Austin, who had managed to collapse his body at the right time to save Spurs. Following the penalty Burnett brought on Jonathan Dinzeyi for Lyons-Foster for the last ten or so minutes of the game. Tolaji Bola headed over after going to meet a corner kick inside the Spurs box, whilst Tanganga made an important block when he thwarted Julio Pleguezuelo’s cross a couple of minutes later. Then came the main talking point of the game, the late melee involving both sets of players.

It had all come about after Bola had committed a nasty looking challenge on Roles down the right wing. Roles reacted angrily to the fullbacks crunching challenge and before you knew it, both sets of players were squaring up to one another. It was mostly handbags but young Troy Parrott took it a step further by marching over to the Arsenal skipper Julio Pleguezuelo and pushing him to the floor, right in front of the referee! Parrott’s teammate Paris Maghoma was having none of the nonsense and he smartly pushed Parrott away from the scene to avoid him getting himself in any further trouble. A difficult four minutes of normal time remained for Spurs and the home team were continuing to pile the pressure on our depleted team. Ljunberg’s side almost made it 3-0 after Maghoma lost the ball to Willock on the edge of the penalty area, the midfielder traveled into the box before Tanganga out muscled him. However, the defenders back pass was over hit and left Austin scrambling to get back, fortunately it trickled narrowly wide. The unmarked John-Jules then headed wide after going to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross at the back post ,and the Arsenal onslaught didn’t stop there. The menacing Saka sent another ball into the danger zone a couple of minutes later, this time picking out Amaechi at the back post. The wingers well struck volley forced Austin into making a good diving save to deny the tricky Amaechi from getting on the scoresheet. Maghoma almost managed to pick out Harrison on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area shortly afterwards with a lovely searching pass. And there was to be one final unexpected twist in the game, in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Burnett’s side had managed to pull a goal back and in some style, after Skipp picked up Jack Roles’s pass on the edge of the penalty area. Skipp laid the ball off to Harrison who spotted the run of Brown down the left side of the penalty area. Harrison played a clever pass through to Brown who took a touch inside the box before rifling the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Martinez’s goal, 2-1. It was all too little too late from Burnett’s side who ended up losing 2-1 to their arch rivals on the night.

We were second best on the night and can have no complaints about the scoreline, however it was a spirited performance from our lads against an extremely talented Arsenal side. We were decent on the night but just like in the game against Brighton the previous Friday, we lacked in creativity and that has cost us so far this season. Up next for Burnett’s development side is a visit to the appropriately named Checkatrade stadium to face Crawley Town on Friday evening. As Spurs play their first group game of this seasons Checkatrade trophy, it will be a great opportunity for his side to bounce back from Fridays disappointment defeat.

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: My motm, see below.
– Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The 17 year old defender made his first start of the domestic season on Friday night, as he filled in for the injured Tariq Hinds at right back. And although he is far more comfortable these days at playing as a centre half, I thought the teenager did a good job at defending against Smith-Rowe down that right hand side. Lyons-Foster read the game well and did well to keep up with the tricky Smith-Rowe, he made a superb sliding block to deny the Arsenal playmaker from picking out John-Jules in the box, during the first half.
– Japhet Tanganga: Tanganga returned from suspension to put in a decent performance against the Gunners at centre half. Generally solid in his defending, the 19 year old made some good blocks and challenges and was dominant in the air. He did however, give away a needless penalty later on in the game.
– TJ Eyoma: Like Tanganga I thought that Eyoma did a decent job in the heart of the Tottenham defence. Like Tanganga, he read the game well and was good in the air. Eyoma also made a string of impressive interceptions inside the danger zone. I do however, think that he would have been far more effective for Spurs if he had been playing at right back.
– Jaden Brown: Brown had the tough task of trying to thwart the threat of the electric Xavier Amaechi down the left flank. I thought Brown did a decent job up against the highly skilful Arsenal forward. Amaechi did get the better of Brown on quite a few occasions during the game but I felt that Brown did alright against him. Brown’s main contribution to the game was his finely executed finish in stoppage time of the second half, after making a good run into the box to meet Harrison’s pass.
– George Marsh: We effectively had two holding midfielders playing in the middle of the park for the game against Arsenal. Marsh and Skipp (the latter in particular) put in good defensive performances e.g: breaking up play. However, this effected our attack and after a decent performance in that role, the skipper George Marsh was brought off around the hour mark for the more offensive Jack Roles.
– Oliver Skipp: By far and out our best outfield player on the night, 17 year old Oliver Skipp impressed in the centre of the park with a typically assured performance. He never overplayed anything, or took too many touches in the middle of the park, he was incisive and effective. Breaking up play and recycling possession, Skippy was ubiquitous and could be seen all over the pitch as he covered for players who were out of position. His range of passing was equality impressive and he made a string of ambitious passes over the top of the Arsenal defence.
– Shayon Harrison: It was another game where Harrison worked extremely hard out on the right wing, making good runs and tracking back after him. Harrison used the ball well but he saw it far too infrequently. Burnett’s side didn’t use the tricky wide man enough and he often found himself isolated out wide for large periods of the game. Following Parrott’s dismissal towards the end of the game, Harrison played up top where he looked lively. And the 21 year did especially well to set up Jaden Brown’s goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. I really hope that Harrison starts the Crawley game as a centre forward.
– Paris Maghoma: The talented 17 year old linked defence with attack during the north London derby. Playing as a number ten on what was only his second appearance at this level, Maghoma was one of the few outfield players who caught my eye. Due to the pressure Spurs were under Maghoma wasn’t able to play with the attacking license he would have wanted, much like in the Liverpool game when we had to play with ten men. Forced to play quite deep for periods of the game, Maghoma still made some promising runs through the middle and some clever passes to the forwards. Linking up particularly well with Harrison throughout the game out on the left wing, Maghoma showed a real attacking nous about his game, it’s just a massive shame that Spurs found themselves in the position that they did. During the late melee involving both sets of players, I spotted a moment of real leadership from the 17 year old. After Parrott had shoved Pleguezuelo to the ground, Maghoma rushed over to Parrott and to avoid him from getting himself in any more trouble, he smartly pushed the 16 year old away from the scene.
– Tashan Oakley-Boothe: It was good to see Oakley-Boothe start his first under 23 game of the season, but frustratingly for the 18 year old midfielder he was limited as to what he could do. Surprisingly playing out on the right wing, Oakley-Boothe must have made the fewest touches out of all the Spurs players during the first half. Isolated on the wing just like Harrison was on the opposite flank, Oakley-Boothe was replaced on halftime for the much younger J’Neil Bennett.
– Troy Parrott: Starved of any real support up top, Parrott’s hard work wasn’t rewarded on the night and he was left living off scraps for the entirety of the game. Still only 16, the Irishman pressed the defenders well and would often look to make a run into the penalty area but it was to little avail. He did however, manage one attempt on goal during the first half. His performance however, will be remembered for his shove on Pleguezuelo during the melee which resulted in him getting sent off. Parrott will miss our under 23’s next PL2 game against Manchester City.
– J’Neil Bennett: The former QPR schoolboys excellent start to the season for our under 18’s was rewarded with a place on the bench for the north London derby. Coming on at half time to make his debut at this level, Bennett impressed down the left wing. Direct and positive, his trickery and willingness to take on Arsenal fullback Josep Olowu was great to see. Bennett also tracked back well and worked hard for the team.
– Jack Roles: Like Bennett, Roles had a positive impact off the bench, much more of a creative force than the man he replaced. Roles put some nice deliveries into the danger zone and created good pockets of space for himself in and around the six yard box.
– Jonathan Dinzeyi: N/A.

My man of the match: Brandon Austin. First of all I’d just like to say how happy I was, to see that the talented and charismatic goalkeeper had returned from his injury to make his first appearance of the season on Friday evening. Austin saved us on countless occasions against the Gunners. Making at least half a dozen saves, including a couple of excellent stops. The teenager from Hemel Hempstead dealt well with set pieces and was commanding inside the box. The two saves which particularly stick out is the one he made to deny Amaechi’s volley in the second half, and of course his excellent save to deny Gilmour from the penalty spot. Austin was superb against Arsenal!

Arsenal: Martinez, Olowu (Sheaf 51), Bola, Gilmour, Ballard, Pleguezuelo (c), Amaechi, Willock (Burton 87), John-Jules, Olayinka, Smith-Rowe (Saka 62). Substitutes (not used): Okonkwo, Balogun.

Spurs: Austin, Lyons-Foster (Dinzeyi 79), Brown, Skipp, Tanganga, Eyoma, Maghoma, Marsh (c, Roles 62), Parrott, Harrison, Oakley-Boothe (Bennett 46). Substitutes (not used): Freeman, Duncan.

Goals: Arsenal – Willock 3, John-Jules 58; Spurs – Brown 90+4.

Yellow cards: Arsenal – Bola 84, Pleguezuelo 84, Burton 90+6; Spurs – Brown 56, Roles 73.

Red card: Spurs – Parrott 84.

Referee: Adrian Quelch.

Venue: Emirates Stadium.

Attendance: 1,422.

Spurs under 21/23’s statistics 2018/19:

Goals scored: Samuel Shashoua – 1
Marcus Edwards – 1
Shayon Harrison – 1
Jaden Brown – 1

Assists: Troy Parrott – 1
Jaden Brown – 1
Shayon Harrison – 1

Spurs under 23’s 1-1 Brighton: (match report)

Our under 23’s played out a 1-1 draw with Brighton on Friday evening in their third PL2 game of the new season. Played on a rainy evening at Broadhall Way in Stevenage, Burnett’s surprisingly strong side were hoping to build on their impressive 1-1 draw against Liverpool up at Anfield the previous week. However, the extremely well organised and defence minded Brighton were always going to be a challenge to break down, despite Burnett’s side being bolstered by the inclusion of Josh Onomah and Luke Amos. Simon Rusk’s seagulls side defended tightly and didn’t allow our forwards to have much space in the final third. The occasional roar of lock him in could be heard as Brighton honed in on our most creative and potent players. After a fairly uneventful first half which saw few clear cut chances. Spurs were unable to make their possession count and on 42 minutes Brighton took the lead after catching us on the break, a fine finish from young Swede Viktor Gyokeres left us trailing at halftime. However, it was in the second half that Spurs started to play a little bit more directly as they went in search of an equaliser. We had been trying to score ’ the perfect goal ’ in the first half and it just wasn’t helping us break down the extremely solid Brighton defence. We played with a little bit more width in the second half and that certainly benefitted the tricky Shayon Harrison who got us level on 59 minutes, with a lovely curling effort from the edge of the penalty area. After getting the leveller Burnett’s side started to enjoy a really good spell in the game, but they were unable to create many clear cut chances and the notable absence of Samuel Shashoua through injury was felt strongly. And that cost us after the seagulls shut up shop, we were unable to break them down and despite our best efforts we were forced to settle for a point. Burnett’s much changed lineup from the previous game against Liverpool saw him opt for the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

Alfie Whiteman started in goal for the third consecutive game this season whilst a back four of Eyoma, Ogilvie, Marsh (c) and Brown sat in front of him. In front of them was the central midfield partnership of Luke Amos and Oliver Skipp, both players were making their first appearance at this level this season after recent involvement with the first team. And in front of them was the attacking line of Edwards, Onomah (his first appearance at this level since April 2017) and Harrison, with 16 year old Troy Parrott leading the line for the second successive game. Brighton got the game underway as the rain continued to spit down, and it was a fairly uneventful opening couple of minutes. It was in fact the visitors who had looked the brightest of the two teams early on. After a group of Brighton players had claimed that Onomah had handled the ball before making a clearance inside his own penalty area, centre half Connor Ogilvie was forced into making a vital clearance from Alex Cochrane’s cross. Will Collar then tried his luck from range but his powerful effort was deflected off of Amos and onto the back of Ogilvie who was forced into making the block, as Brighton continued to see a fair bit of the ball. Spurs had their first attempt on goal of the game shortly afterwards when Edwards received the ball from Parrott out on the right. The skilful wide man worked his way across the edge of the penalty area before forcing Brighton goalkeeper Hugo Keto into making a decent save to deny Edwards low effort. Left wing back Jaden Brown won a free kick in a promising position for Spurs shortly after. Josh Onomah’s resulting free kick was headed away by Cochrane but only straight back into the feet of the Tottenham midfielder. Onomah’s resulting delivery into the danger zone only just evaded Parrott who was lurking about at the back post. Spurs started to show a bit more attacking quality as they tried to build out from the back.

Marcus Edwards whipped a dangerous ball into the box which managed to pick out Tottenham centre forward Troy Parrott at the back post. The Irishman steadied himself before pulling off an acrobatic volley which ended up trickling just wide as it went across Keto’s goal. Parrott showed great technique and confidence to attempt it in the first place, the Dubliner was showing good movement early on in the game. The assertive Josh Onomah won a corner for Burnett’s side after hitting a venomous effort on the turn, the resulting corner kick was delivered in by Skipp and headed over the crossbar by Harrison at the near post. The ever industrious Oliver Skipp then made a superb challenge to win the ball off of James Tilley in the middle of the park, whilst right wing back TJ Eyoma’s pacy delivery into the danger zone was missed only by a matter of inches by Parrott who was ghosting in at the back post. Spurs were now moving the ball around well and were starting to look like they were coming to close to breaking the deadlock. The ever threatening Onomah sprinted towards the edge of the Brighton penalty area to meet Jaden Brown’s cross, unfortunately the 21 year olds volley flew wide of the Brighton goal. And the midfielder tried his luck again a couple of moments later after chesting the ball down and volleying a speculative effort wide from some 20 yards out from goal. Spurs continued to create decent chances, Skipp’s attempted pass to Parrott inside the box ended up deflecting out to Onomah on the edge of the penalty area. His powerful thunderbolt was heroically blocked by Brighton defender Josh Kerr after the Scotsman threw his body in the way of the ball, as the seagulls continued to defend tightly. Rusk’s side did however look dangerous on the counter as shown by Galway man Aaron Connolly who picked the ball up on the left flank before cutting inside and curling an effort wide of Whiteman’s left hand post.

Parrott was working his socks off up top and wasn’t afraid to attempt the unthinkable. Jaden Brown’s cross into Parrott wasn’t controlled properly by the centre forward as he tried to turn his man inside the penalty area, but the idea and the imagination from Parrott was so refreshing to see. Spurs were continuing to attack the seagulls defence, Harrison and Brown combined well down the left before the latter sprinted into the box, before then firing the ball across goal. The fullbacks pass/shot was heading in but for a brilliant goal line clearance by Hayden Roberts. The domineering Luke Amos then tested young Finnish goalkeeper Hugo Keto from range with a swerving low effort which was just about palmed to safety by the former Arsenal youth player. Spurs were trying incredibly hard to score that aesthetically pleasing goal that they so craved, but they were just lacking that bit of spark. After a tricky weaving run from Edwards who cut inside from the right, the 19 year old left the ball to Skipp who traveled through the middle before firing the ball narrowly over from the edge of the penalty area. And it was from an attack by Spurs a couple of moments later which eventually lead to Brighton taking an unexpected lead on the stroke of halftime. Spurs had been caught on the break by Simon Rusk’s Brighton, Irishman Aaron Connolly sped down the left wing with Eyoma too high up the pitch to respond. Connolly continued unchallenged before cutting inside and coming up against Ogilvie and Marsh who were the only Spurs men back in the final third. The centre forward looked up before slipping a clever pass into the feet of Swedish youth international Viktor Gyokeres who had been allowed too much space on the right. The forward took a touch inside the penalty area before hitting an unstoppable strike into the top left hand corner of Alfie Whiteman’s goal, 0-1.

Spurs tried to make an immediate response after winning a corner in added time, but Onomah’s pacy delivery into the box was punched to safety by Keto as Spurs went in at halftime a goal down. Wayne Burnett’s side got the second half underway as they looked to find a way back into the game, Troy Parrott could be seen having a long tactical chat with Onomah before the start of the half. And it was Onomah who created the first real chance of the half after playing the ball into the feet of Edwards who found himself in space inside the danger zone. Edwards first time effort from eight yards out however was a waste and it ended up going high over the bar and straight into the building site behind the goal. Burnett’s side almost got punished moments later after Amos sloppily gave the ball away to Dreyer in the middle of the park. The Dane sprinted through the middle before slipping the ball into Connolly inside the right side of the box. However, the strikers effort was fired into the side netting from an acute angle as Spurs were spared further trouble. Then at the other end of the pitch the tireless Oliver Skipp won a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the Brighton penalty area. Josh Onomah stood up confidently to take it before curling a brilliant effort over the wall and onto the top of Keto’s crossbar as the crowd gasped in agony. Onomah’s superbly executed free kick was so very close to drawing Spurs level. The lively number 10 then had an effort blocked out for a corner by Normann a couple of minutes later. However, a defence splitting through ball from substitute Archie Davies set Connolly galavanting through on goal down the right hand side of the pitch. Connolly tried to get away from Marsh who had kept up the pace as he tried to to get into the Spurs box. But Marsh’s tight defending had limited Connolly’s options and he eventually dragged the ball across the face of the Spurs goal.

Spurs were using the left wing an awful lot, the attacking Jaden Brown forced Keto into making a clearance with his feet after whipping a menacing cross into the box. The left back caused problems for Brighton again after receiving the ball from Onomah out on the left wing. The 19 year continued to run down the left flank before squaring the ball into Edwards inside the box who once again found himself unmarked. But the teenagers first time strike flew high and wide from close range. However, Spurs’ persistence was rewarded in the 59th minute as Shayon Harrison drew Spurs level with a superb goal from the edge of the penalty area. Marsh’s long diagonal pass out to Brown on the left wing was controlled well by the fullback who quickly laid the ball off to Harrison who cut inside. The forward continued to run across the face of the goal ignoring an excellent darting run into the box by Parrott, as Harrison continued before curling a wonderful effort into the far corner of Keto’s goal from the edge of the box, 1-1. It was a wonderfully worked equaliser and an even better finish from the 21 year old forward. Brighton captain James Tilley tested Whiteman straight from the restart with a curling effort from range, but it was Spurs who were in the driving seat and they were showing no signs of slowing down. Josh Onomah forced a good save out of Keto after unleashing a thunderbolt of an effort from range. Before a well worked move from Spurs on the break saw Skipp roll the ball out to Parrott on the left wing. The 16 year old cut inside onto his right foot before delicately laying the ball off to Onomah on the edge of the penalty area, but the Englishman’s resulting effort was comfortably held by Keto. The increasingly attacking Jaden Brown pumped the ball into the area a couple of minutes later as Kerr was able to make an important headed clearance. Spurs were really going for it and they looked a lot more direct in their play.

A hopeful long range effort from Davies deflected off of Eyoma and narrowly over the crossbar at the other end. As the impressive George Marsh made a crucial goal saving block in the box only a couple of moments earlier. This little flurry of chances for the visitors continued when Whiteman was forced into stopping Gyokeres effort from the edge of the penalty area. And once again the seagulls attacked us after Connolly received the ball from Dreyer out on the right, the Irishman managed to work his way past Marsh in the Tottenham penalty area, before firing the ball into the side netting. The clock was ticking down as Burnett made his first change of the game in the 81st minute. Bringing on Tashan Oakley-Boothe for Marcus Edwards. However, Rusk’s side continued to look threatening and a well worked move from the seagulls almost resulted in them retaking the lead. After being picked out by Connolly on the right wing the newly introduced Jordan Davies whipped the ball into the Spurs box. His cross was met Dreyer at the near post as the young Dane volleyed it a fraction wide of Whiteman’s goal. Whiteman easily gathered Collar’s deflected effort a couple of moments later as Burnett brought on goalscoring midfielder Jack Roles for Parrott with less than six minutes left on the clock, Shayon Harrison was now playing up top. Jaden Brown made a vital block to keep out Jordan Davies’ effort inside the box before Spurs created one last chance at the other end. Eyoma passed the ball to the substitute Jack Roles on the edge of the penalty area, the Cypriot under 21 international looked up before firing the ball inches wide of Keto’s far post. Roles’s effort appeared to be heading in! Brighton’s solid defence continued to frustrate us during the last couple of minutes of the game, as they he.d on to record a 1-1 draw. Burnett’s combative team remain winless this season and at this early period in the season they sit just one place above the relegation zone. Burnett’s side will be hoping to produce a special performance in their next PL2 game when they travel to the Emirates to face arch rivals Arsenal next Friday evening in front of a bumper crowd.

Player reviews: – Alfie Whiteman: Whiteman was faultless against the seagulls as he put in a impressive showing between the sticks. His distribution was good as was his decision making and dealing with set pieces. However, Whiteman made a string of important saves throughout the game and remained alert throughout. It was a good performance from the 19 year old.
– TJ Eyoma: Eyoma played at right back for yesterday’s game and all in all he put in a strong defensive performance. Whilst he was nowhere to be seen down the right for the Brighton goal, it would be harsh to criticise him due to his offensive duties. Eyoma made some strong challenges and defended well against the Brighton skipper James Tilley out on the flank.
– George Marsh: After his heroics against Liverpool the previous Friday, Marsh started as a centre back for the encounter with Brighton. And he put in a fine performance. Making multiple blocks and tackles in and around the six yard box, I felt that Marsh formed a strong defensive partnership with Ogilvie. He read the game well and timed his challenges to perfection, the 19 year old was effective in that role and looked very mature.
– Connor Ogilvie: After missing the game against Liverpool through injury, 22 year old Connor Ogilvie returned to the side for our league game against Brighton but had to play at centre back due to the suspension of Japhet Tanganga. Like Marsh he put in a good defensive performance, reading the game well and winning the vast majority of aerial duels, Ogilvie’s experience showed once again. He was composed on the ball and suited our bring it out from the back style, making some nice passes in the process. It will be interesting to see if he heads out on another loan before the deadline shuts at the end of the month.
– Jaden Brown: Brown produced another good display as he combined defence with attack against the seagulls. He got up and down the left wing well and although he was nowhere to be seen for the Brighton goal. The former England youth international hardly put a foot wrong and protected that left side well. He overlapped Harrison on occasions and whipped some nice crosses into the danger zone.
– Oliver Skipp: After featuring prominently for the first team during pre-season this was the 17 year old midfielders first youth game of the new campaign and unsurprisingly he looked very comfortable alongside Amos in the centre of midfield. Strong and committed the industrious Skipp moved the ball around well with some slick passes. He also read the game incredibly well and broke up play effectively with some excellent sliding challenges in the middle of the park. He put in a very impressive performance.
– Luke Amos: My motm, see below.
– Marcus Edwards: He was at times a creative threat out on the right but I felt as if he just drifted away from the action on occasions. He worked hard and tracked back but apart from a couple of promising jinking runs on the right he struggled to really make much of an impact from a creative perspective, but he did his job relatively well regardless.
– Josh Onomah: playing as a number 10 behind Parrott, this was the 21 year olds first competitive game of football since the championship play off final involving Aston Villa and Fulham in May. By far our most creative player against Brighton, Onomah’s surging runs through the middle caused many problems for the Brighton defence. Onomah’s strength and sheer power overwhelmed the young Brighton defence, He looked quite sharp generally and often drifted into nice pockets of space. Apart from hitting the crossbar with a glorious free kick at the beginning of the second half, Onomah tested Keto more than any other Spurs player on the pitch. It is clear that he has outgrown this level but if he isn’t given the opportunities in the first team then surely he’ll have to go out on loan again before the loan window shuts at the end of the month.
– Shayon Harrison: A tricky customer throughout the game Harrison provided Spurs with a creative outlet out on the left wing. Working incredibly hard and tracking back after him, the nimble footed forward really worked Brighton fullback Owen Moore. To cap off a fine display Harrison netted our equaliser with a lovely curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.
– Troy Parrott: The 16 year old put in a really mature performance as he lead the line for the second PL2 game in a row on Friday evening. The Irishman’s movement was top notch in and around the danger zone. As too were the many darting runs he made into the box. He held the ball up well and came within a hairs length of being able to convert a couple of chances from close range. He was fearless going forward and the sheer audacity of his acrobatic volley in the first half spoke volumes. I just felt that his teammates didn’t capitalise on his excellent movement and they often failed to pick up on this. However, young Troy can hold his head high after another excellent performance. A call up to the Ireland under 21 side can surely not be top far away.
– Jack Roles: No matter how little pitch time Roles gets he always manages to make a positive impact on the game. And he did just that during his brave nine minute cameo against the seagulls on Friday night. During his short time on the pitch Roles managed to get into some good pockets of space around the edge of the penalty and he came within a whisker of scoring a dramatic late winner.
– Tashan Oakley-Boothe: N/A.

My man of the match: Luke Amos. It was a dominant performance from Amos in the centre of the park against Brighton, the ball winning midfielder broke up play successfully and managed to recycle possession well. A real engine in the middle of the park the 21 year old would often drop deep to cover for the centre half’s. After making his first team debut only a couple of weeks ago what was striking about Luke’s performance was how confident he was. He made some lovely diagonal passes out to the wingers and was also able to initiate some promising chances from deep inside his own half. I hope that he will continue to get more chances with the first team over the coming months.

Spurs: Whiteman, Eyoma, Brown, Amos, Marsh (c), Ogilvie, Edwards (Oakley-Boothe 81), Skipp, Parrott (Roles 84), Onomah, Harrison. Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Duncan, Dinzeyi.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Keto, Moore (A Davies 38), Cochrane, Collar, Kerr, Roberts, Dreyer, Normann, Connolly (Ljubicic 90+3), Gyokeres, Tilley (c, J Davies 72). Substitutes (not used): Collings, Tomlinson.

Goals: Spurs – Harrison 59; Brighton – Gyokeres 43.

Yellow card: Brighton – A Davies 49 and Alex Cochrane 90+1.

Referee: Martin Woods.

Attendance: 391.

Venue: Lamex Stadium, Stevenage.

Spurs under 21/23’s statistics 2018/19:

Goals scored: Samuel Shashoua – 1
Marcus Edwards – 1
Shayon Harrison – 1

Assists: Troy Parrott – 1
Jaden Brown – 1

Spurs under 23’s versus Brighton: (match preview)

After their heroics up in Anfield last Friday evening, Wayne Burnett’s development side will be hoping to carry some of the confidence from that performance into their home PL2 game against Brighton on Friday. Burnett’s youngsters put in an incredible performance against Liverpool last week, forced to play with ten men following the early dismissal of centre half Japhet Tanganga. Spurs not only managed to fight back from the reds taking the lead early on in the game, but they also managed to pull a goal back despite their limitations going forward. Not only that, Burnett’s side put in one of the most disciplined, mature and effective defensive performance your ever likely to see at this level, as they ground out an impressive 1-1 draw up on Merseyside. Next up for Burnett’s side is newly promoted Brighton who they will face in Stevenage on Friday evening. Originally scheduled to be played at the new Spurs stadium as the first public test event, it’s a shame for the youngsters that they’ll be unable to take part in such a historic event. However, all attention will be on Simon Rusk’s Brighton side, the seagulls have drawn their opening two games of the PL2 season against both Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. Brighton finished third in division two last season, and Rusk’s side were able to gain promotion to division one via the play offs. With the seagulls beating Middlesbrough and Aston Villa en route to gaining promotion to division one. Ironically Brighton’s last game was against our old foes Arsenal at the Emirates stadium, on Monday evening. Bolstered by the inclusion of first team players Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Jurgen Locadia, Biram Kayal (30) and Jason Steele Brighton could only manage a 1-1 draw against the reigning champions of the division.

Whilst the likes of Jahanbakhsh and Locadia won’t be coming up against our lads on Friday evening. There’s no reason why fringe first team players such as Jason Steele and Israeli international Biram Kayal won’t. Wayne Burnett will be desperate for his side to register their first win of the new season against Brighton on Friday. After a disappointing 3-1 loss to West Ham in their opening game, they showed their quality and character to come out of the encounter against Liverpool with a point. I’m expecting a different side to the one which drew to Liverpool last week, owing to our under 18’s important league fixture against Chelsea the following morning. I would assume that one of the stars of that Liverpool performance Troy Parrott (16) will be saved for the Chelsea game along with Paris Maghoma, another player who featured in that game. It is likely that Burnett will field a lot of the more experienced members of the squad, players such as Georgiou, Harrison and Ogilvie (if fit!). Just like their first team, Brighton’s development side have a strong defence and only conceded 25 goals in division two last season. As always I’m anticipating a tough game for Spurs, but with the absence of a couple of Brighton’s first team players. I feel that we’re a far better side than the south coast club, and if we can come flying out the blocks early on in the game, then I could see us dominating proceedings . Anyhow, it will be intriguing to see how we fair against the seagulls on Friday evening. There were many scouts at our opening game of the season against West Ham and there will likely be just as many if not more at the Brighton game on Friday. As the loan window for EFL clubs closes at the end of the month. I will be reporting on the game and I shall have my match report out by Saturday evening. It will be interesting to see if Shayon Harrison will lead the line following his excellent performance against Liverpool.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Austin, Hinds, Eyoma, Dinzeyi, Ogilvie, Marsh (c), Roles, Edwards, S.Shashoua, Georgiou, Harrison.

Subs from: Whiteman, Brown, Duncan, Tracey.

Doubtful: Shilow Tracey, Samuel Shashoua, Connor Ogilvie, Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Tom Glover (Glover has been out on trial with other clubs such as Birmingham and Sporting Lisbon).

Injured/unavailable: Jamie Reynolds, Kazaiah Sterling and Japhet Tanganga (suspended).

My one to watch: The seagulls 20 year old forward and top scorer in the league last season with seven goals. Swedish youth international Viktor Gyokeres will be one of Brighton’s main danger men.

ICYMI: https://superhotspur.com/2018/08/20/spurs-under-23s-1-1-liverpool-match-report/

Spurs under 23’s 1-1 Liverpool: (match report)

It was a performance of great maturity from our under 23’s on Friday evening at Anfield. As Wayne Burnett’s young side battled back from a goal down to grind out an impressive 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the PL2, in front of a crowd of over 3000. To say I was proud of how our lads performed would be an understatement, they were phenomenal throughout the game. A young Spurs side which was missing key players such as Shilow Tracey and Samuel Shashoua through injury. Burnett was forced into fielding some of our under 18’s, with Paris Maghoma (17) and Troy Parrott (16) making the step up for the PL2 encounter with Liverpool. After being reduced to ten men inside the opening two minutes of the game after Japhet Tanganga was dismissed for blocking a goalscoring chance with his hand in the Tottenham box. Spurs looked disheveled as Liverpool’s Adam Lewis prepared to take the resulting spot kick. Fortunately for Spurs the fullback blasted the ball over Alfie Whiteman’s crossbar. Spurs were forced to reshape and quickly dropped significantly deeper, with the likes of Shayon Harrison forced into playing as a defensive midfielder. However, Neil Critchley’s Liverpool side took the lead on 14 minutes through Bobby Adekanye in controversial circumstances. Burnett’s extremely defensive team fought back however, and after weathering the storm for nine minutes they drew level through Marcus Edwards. After the winger had been found by a superb long pass by Parrott who did some great initial work to control the ball in the centre of the park. Critchley’s Liverpool side enjoyed 70% of the possession during the game, managing to have 23 attempts on goal. The most extraordinary and spirited of defensive performance from the young Lilywhites however, managed to somehow prevent Liverpool from regaining the lead despite having them having the advantage of an extra man.

Everyone single one of our lads threw their bodies on the line for the team, defending like veterans. They were mature and resistant to Liverpool’s typically explosive attacking football as Burnett’s excellent young side held on to record a hugely important point up at Anfield, as I watched on with great pride from the Kop. After suffering defeat to West Ham in their opening league game of the season Wayne Burnett opted to stick with the same 4-2-3-1 formation but with a number of changes in the starting eleven. Spurs lined up with Alfie Whiteman in goal, with a back four of Hinds, Eyoma, Tanganga and Brown. In front of them stood the midfield pairing of George Marsh and young Paris Maghoma. Whilst an attacking trio of Marcus Edwards, Shayon Harrison and Anthony Georgiou lined up behind 16 year old centre forward Troy Parrott who made his first start at this level. Spurs got the game underway on a cool summers evening at Anfield, but it was Critchley’s side who started the better. Immediately putting our defence under pressure with their high pressing, the lively Glen McAuley forced Whiteman into making a sloppy pass early on. After aggressively pressing the Tottenham keeper as he attempted to play it out from the back, Whiteman ended up passing the ball straight into the feet of Liverpool’s Curtis Jones on the edge of the penalty area. The wide man picked the ball up before surging forwards and hitting a powerful low effort at goal, which was well saved by Whiteman who got down at his near post to tip the ball behind for a corner kick. The resulting corner kick was whipped dangerously into the box as Parrott cleared it out to Jones on the left wing. The winger whipped the ball back into the danger zone as Whiteman came out to claim the ball. Unfortunately, the 19 year old spilled the ball as McAuley pounced to fire the ball towards the empty net, with Tanganga blocking it on the line. Unfortunately for Tanganga the referee was already reaching for his back pocket as he sent the young defender off for an adjudged handball on the line as he awarded the reds an early penalty.

After a devastating opening couple of minutes Alfie Whiteman had to try and prevent the penalty taker Adrian Lewis from opening the scoring. Fortunately for Burnett’s side the fullbacks wild effort went high and wide of the goal as Spurs survived a chaotic opening three minutes. Burnett’s lads were forced into reshaping, with the team reverting to an ultra defensive 4-4-1 formation as the skipper George Marsh filled in at centre half alongside Eyoma. Whilst Georgiou and Edwards were now effectively wingbacks who’s job was to protect the fullbacks. Attacking midfielder Shayon Harrison dropped into the centre of the park with Maghoma where he would effectively hold a defensive midfield role for the remainder of the game. After an awful start to the game Spurs then found themselves on the back of a dangerous Liverpool counter attack as Christie-Davies fed a lovely through ball into Adekanye out on the right wing. The Dutchman sprinted all the way into the Tottenham penalty area before firing his low effort inches wide of Whiteman’s goal. We looked vulnerable every time the home team went on the offensive. It had been a tough start to the game for our goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman who was continuing to put his defence under pressure with sloppy passes out from the back. Passing the ball about with ease as they attempted to break the deadlock, Neil Critchley’s side were looking increasingly dangerous by each passing minute. A well worked move from the reds saw McAuley and Adekanye combine well inside the box before the latter curled the ball narrowly over the top of the Spurs goal. Zipping the ball about with an air of confidence about their game it always seemed only a matter of time before our defence would crumble. And Critchley’s side made that all important breakthrough on 14 minutes when the potent Bobby Adekanye gave Liverpool the lead.

The ball was worked out to the winger on the right side of the penalty area, but just as Adekanye received the ball the linesman on the near side raised his flag. Many of the Spurs defenders froze thinking that Adekanye had been ruled offside. This caused great confusion in the Spurs team as Adekanye cut inside Eyoma in the box before rifling an effort at goal. The wingers low effort ended up outwitting Whiteman as it took a heavy deflection off of Marsh before nestling inside the bottom left hand corner of the Tottenham keepers goal, 0-1. Lead by the captain George Marsh the Spurs players crowed around the referee as he went to consult the linesman about the goal. Marsh was furious with the referee as he preceded to award the goal and the Tottenham captain was right to feel aggrieved with the referee. It had been a disastrous start all round for Burnett’s side. The reorganised Spurs defence now had to deal with an attacking onslaught from the reds. Centre half TJ Eyoma was forced into making a vital headed clearance inside the penalty area as Critchley’s side went in search of their second goal of the game. 20 minutes had past and as expected Liverpool were enjoying the lions share of possession, passing the ball around for fun as every Spurs player stayed back in their own half to try and prevent the home team from extending their advantage. Despite a few decent attacking forays from Marcus Edwards down the right wing, Spurs had offered nothing going forward and had yet to register a single attempt on goal. Our defence was under great pressure every time Liverpool entered our final third. Critchley’s side came close to doubling their advantage when Christie-Davies slipped the ball through to Adekanye inside the Tottenham penalty area. However, the alert Jaden Brown managed to read the situation well and was able to get in front of the Dutchman before making a superb sliding challenge to put the ball out for a corner kick.

We were defending superbly under the circumstances but our passing it out from the back was putting unnecessary pressure on the defenders as Whiteman’s distribution was often sloppy and inaccurate. A moment of magic from the centre forward Troy Parrott managed to create a totally unexpected leveller for Spurs on 23 minutes. Our equaliser which was against the run of play had managed to catch the Liverpool defence by total surprise. Brown’s long pass up to Parrott on the halfway line was excellently contested by the Irishman who was able to hold off two Liverpool defenders before controlling the ball with a sublime first touch. The centre forward immediately looked up to spot Edwards galavanting down the right flank, as Parrott managed to curl a lovely pass out to Edwards. The winger took on the Liverpool fullback Adam Lewis as he continued into the penalty area before turning Lewis as he rolled the ball away from him effortlessly and onto his right foot, before firing the ball past Kelleher who did manage to make contact with the ball, and into the far corner of the goal, 1-1. It was an excellently taken goal by Edwards and an absolute peach of a pass from Parrott to pick him out in the first place. Shortly after the restart the impressive Anthony Georgiou gave away a dangerous free kick on the edge of the penalty area after holding back Virtue-Thick. However, the referee felt it was necessary to take it further by handing out a harsh yellow card to the Cypriot international. Virtue-Thick’s powerful delivery into the box was headed away by Brown who recovered before making another important block to stop Adekanye’s cross a couple of moments later. Liverpool were continuing to pile on the pressure as the half progressed with the makeshift Spurs defence continuing to work their socks off in order to make it as difficult as possible for the Liverpool forwards.

TJ Eyoma had really stepped up since Tanganga’s early dismissal and the young centre half was demonstrating his aerial prowess as shown when he managed to divert Lewis’ dangerous cross away from danger. Continuing to press us aggressively Liverpool were coming closer and closer to regaining the lead. After makeshift midfielder Shayon Harrison gave the ball away to Adekanye the Dutchman quickly passed the ball to McAuley who laid it off to Christie-Davies, but the midfielders powerful low effort was held well by Whiteman in the Spurs goal. A flurry of chances continued to come Liverpool’s way. After Eyoma gave away a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Adam Lewis’s resulting curler flew a whisker wide of Whiteman’s left hand post. A rare attacking move from Spurs at the other end ended in Jaden Brown seeing his cross into the danger zone cleared to safety by a Liverpool defender. A player who was holding his own in the centre of the park was the young Paris Maghoma and the midfielder did well to try and break down a dangerous looking attacking by the reds as he pulled back Jones who was sprinting dangerously through the middle. The referee waived play on as Jones shifted the ball out to Adekanye on the left side of the penalty area. The former Barcelona youngsters effort across goal flew narrowly wide of the mark as Spurs escaped once more. The referee then went back to Maghoma to give him a yellow card for his pull on Jones. An overhit back pass from Eyoma a couple of minutes later was the last thing Whiteman wanted to deal with, as the young goalkeeper stuck out a leg to make a vital block to steer the ball away from goal. An excellent block from Marsh on Adekanye in the box followed as Spurs continued to defend well. Burnett’s sides heroic first half performance ensured that Spurs went into the break level. The likes of Parrott whose defensive contribution was immense, Edwards and Harrison had all had unbelievable half’s.

Liverpool got the second half underway as they attacked the Kop end and it didn’t take Critchley’s side long before they found their feet again. Adekanye’s menacing cross into the danger zone was bravely defended by Brown who had managed to get to the ball in front of McAuley at the back post to head it clear. We were effectively playing with ten men behind the ball as the likes of Parrott and Harrison took it upon themselves to be combative defensive players as Liverpool upped their pace. After Georgiou had conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after a foul on Adekanye. Adam Lewis’s resulting curling effort was well headed away by Brown inside the danger zone. Liverpool almost regained their lead a couple of minutes later through the ever threatening Bobby Adekanye. After bringing the ball forwards Jones laid the ball off to Adekanye down the right side of the penalty area. Adekanye managed to trick his way around Brown before firing the ball across goal, with Marsh there to get a vital flick on it to divert it out for a Liverpool corner. It was a heroic block from the skipper! The game was incredibly fast paced and one had to wonder how long our lads could keep up this most heroic of defensive performances for. Curtis Jones curled an effort well wide of goal from long range whilst Paris Maghoma won a free kick in a promising position at the other end of the pitch. Electing to take it himself Maghoma’s resulting delivery into the box went out for a goal kick. Anthony Georgiou had been exceptional throughout the second half and his excellent last ditch defending and searing pace was protecting Jaden Brown who stood behind him. The left wing back made a crucial block to prevent Whelan from whipping the ball into the danger zone. TJ Eyoma made a similarly important block when he was able to get in front of Whelan’s cross a couple of moments later.

The lively Curtis Jones was then gifted the ball by Maghoma before the winger tested Whiteman with a low drive from range which was easily gathered by the Tottenham goalkeeper, it was all Liverpool! Despite being under the cosh for the entirety of the second half Spurs had a rare golden chance which presented them with the opportunity to take the lead for the first time in the game. After Whiteman’s long kick up field was chased down by the tigerish Troy Parrott, what should have been a routine piece of defending for Johnston ended up being anything but that. As the Irishman pressed his man aggressively forcing the Liverpool defender into making an error. With Parrott managing to win the ball off of him before poking it out to Edwards who remained free out on the right wing. Edwards picked up the loose ball before surging into the penalty area. One on one with Kelleher you would have have expected Edwards to add to his account. However, the 19 year old tried to be to fancy with the ball and his eventual effort was low and weak, and was saved comfortably by the feet of Kelleher. It should have been 2-1 to Spurs. The ever impressive impressive Anthony Georgiou had helped to quell the threat of the speedy Bobby Adekanye in the second half. The Londoner was there again to make a brilliant interception off the Dutchman inside the penalty area. Troy Parrott then made a vital headed clearance at the back post as Liverpool upped their intensity as we reached the final stages of the game. Maghoma blazed over from range at the other end in a rare attempt at goal for Spurs. A well worked move from the Lilywhites followed as Harrison picked out Parrott with a long pass. The Dubliner controlled the ball before rolling it into the feet of Georgiou who zoomed across the penalty area before passing the ball to Edwards out on the right wing.

Edwards managed to trick his way into the penalty area before being brought down by Johnston who made an excellent crunching challenge to break up the attack. Roared on by the Kop, Liverpool were trying desperately hard to breakthrough the brick wall that was the Tottenham defence. Paris Maghoma made a hugely important block to stop Curtis Jones’s powerful shot on the edge of the penalty area. Burnett then made defensive reinforcements when he brought on Jonathan Dinzeyi for Jaden Brown four minutes before the end as Spurs continued to defend impeccably. However, a late pass over the top of Dinzeyi temporarily paralysed the Spurs defence as it allowed Adekanye to run through on goal with only Alfie Whiteman to beat. Fortunately for Spurs Whiteman had closed the winger down well and was able to make an important save to stop Adekanye’s low effort as Paris Maghoma applauded the Tottenham goalkeeper. Tottenham had to deal with another dangerous Liverpool attack a couple of moments later, as some brilliant goal line defending by Marsh saw him snuff out Adekanye’s dangerous effort across the face of goal. Marsh had managing to clear the ball just before McAuley could convert from close range. Burnett’s side were given another scare a couple of minutes later as Johnston fired the ball narrowly over the crossbar, after picking up the ball inside the Tottenham penalty area. Burnett brought Dylan Duncan on for Marcus Edwards as we entered stoppage time. It would take the 19 year old less then a minute to go into the referees book after committing a cynical foul on a Liverpool player. A late defensive blunder from Dinzeyi after he failed to deal with Jones’s cross into the box, allowed Virtue-Thick with an opportunity to get a shot away from close range. Fortunately for Dinzeyi the midfielders poorly struck effort ended up going straight down the throat of Whiteman who easily gathered it. Corey Whelan’s menacing cross drew a late gasp from the Kop as it flew agonisingly across the Spurs goal in the dying seconds of the game.

Thankfully the referee blew for the final whistle immediately after that chance and almost every Spurs players collapsed to the floor. They were exhausted, and after putting in the performance that they did it was unsurprising. To have to deal with having a man sent off at Anfield in the opening minutes of a game against a fast attacking team almost certainly spells defeat. However, Burnett’s young side were resilient and mature. They didn’t panic, they reorganised themselves well and were disciplined in defence. I was immensely proud of the whole teams performance against Liverpool on Friday. They fought like warriors under such difficult circumstances, the likes of Parrott, Marsh and Georgiou were excellent but for me the whole team was just superb. Hopefully Burnett’s side can go a step further in our next league game against Brighton on Friday by registering their first win of the campaign.

Player reviews: – Alfie Whiteman: After a difficult start to the game for Whiteman, which saw him contribute to Spurs giving away an early penalty after committing a bit of a blunder inside the box. Whiteman responded well and apart from his nervy looking distribution in the early stages of the game the 19 year old put in an excellent performance in the second half. Making a string of crucial saves in front of the Kop end, the one that stood out the most was his stop to deny Adekanye one on one towards the end of the game. Whiteman showed great character throughout the game.
– Tariq Hinds: It was another really mature performance from the 18 year old fullback on Friday. Following Tanganga’s sending off, Hinds never looked out of place whilst defending against Curtis Jones out on the right wing. He stayed deep and protected that side of the pitch with some really effective and tidy defending.
– Japhet Tanganga: After his early dismissal it would be unfair to review Tanganga’s short time on the pitch. He will miss our next game against Brighton on Friday.
– TJ Eyoma: Eyoma rose to the occasion following the dismissal of his fellow centre back in the second minute of the game. Forming a tenacious partnership with makeshift centre half George Marsh. Eyoma was flawless against Liverpool, he was excellent in the air and tight in his defending of the Liverpool forwards. He was astute and cautious, but not once did he allow the likes of McAuley to get into space inside the danger zone. Eyoma was also composed under pressure.
– Jaden Brown: It was Brown’s first appearance of the season for Burnett’s side following his unsuccessful trial with Dutch club NEC Nijmegen earlier on in the summer. I thought Brown had an excellent game at left back on Friday evening. He was up against a really tricky customer in Adekanye, and whilst he was helped out by Georgiou on that side. Brown defended superbly, making many important last ditch challenges, blocks and clearances in the box. He put in an extremely brave performance against the reds. Brown also played his part in our goal, with a long pass upfield to Parrott.
– George Marsh: A leader of men. George Marsh started off in the centre of the park alongside Maghoma, but Tanganga’s early sending off saw the skipper take Tanganga’s place at centre back. Marsh marshalled the backline to perfection, it was a really heroic performance from the 19 year old. Marsh threw himself in front of danger, I lost count at the amount of blocks and superb goal line clearances that he made. He was terrific!
– Paris Maghoma: I was extremely pleased to see the 17 year old in the starting lineup for the Liverpool game. Favoured by Burnett over the older and more experienced duo of Dylan Duncan and Jack Roles. The second year scholar lined up alongside Marsh in the centre of midfield. A box to box midfielder with a lot of attacking qualities, any license that he had had to go forward was extinguished once Tanganga was sent off. From then on he was essentially a defensive midfielder whose job was to protect the back four alongside Harrison who dropped back. Maghoma was extremely well disciplined and played his part in helping Spurs to come away with a point, making some important blocks in the process. There was one moment in the game where his maturity really showed. Whilst Spurs were defending a dangerous free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Maghoma took it upon him to order the wall as the defenders kept quiet. He was roaring at Whiteman as he barked instructions to his teammates. Hopefully Maghoma will start our next game against Brighton on Friday.
– Marcus Edwards: Another player who had an excellent game, the skilful Marcus Edwards put in a superb shift out on the right wing. Whilst his attacking freedom was limited from early on in the game, he provided Spurs with their main attacking outlet. As he went on some really impressive attacking forays down that side of the pitch. Edwards hard work at tracking back was equally as impressive. Everything about his excellently taken goal was just sublime, and the 19 year old may feel that he should have scored another in the second half after receiving the ball in a similar position.
– Shayon Harrison: Starting off as a number ten, Harrison was quickly reassigned to the unfamiliar role of central midfield. I was extremely impressed with the way that Harrison adapted to that defensive midfield role. He worked ridiculously hard throughout the entirety of the game, he worked as a shield to the defence and broke up play so effectively. Harrison’s numerous interceptions and blocks in and around the six yard box didn’t go unnoticed either.
– Anthony Georgiou: To say that Georgiou had an excellent game would be an understatement. The Cypriot internationals performance against Liverpool on Friday was immense. Despite starting out on the left wing, Anthony was soon forced into playing as a left wing back in front of Brown. He embraced that role with both hands and put in a heroic defensive performance. He helped Brown out massively whilst defending against the speedy Adekanye. He made some excellent tackles in and around the danger zone and was able to read the game and anticipate danger to perfection throughout the PL2 contest. Georgiou helped Spurs to counter attack Liverpool with some excellent lung bursting runs down that left hand side. He didn’t put a foot wrong and he demonstrated to the Tottenham coaching staff just how brilliant and effective a wing back he is. I was extremely proud with the 21 year olds performance.
– Troy Parrott: My motm, see below.
– Jonathan Dinzeyi: Fleeting eleven minute cameo from Dinzeyi who added steel to the Tottenham defence for the closing minutes of the game.
– Dylan Duncan: Fleeting cameo.

My man of the match: Troy Parrott. Most 16 year olds could only ever dream of playing at Anfield, but not young Troy. He not only lead the line for Spurs on his first PL2 appearance but he put in a performance which spoke volumes as to how ridiculously talented a centre forward the young Irishman is. The Dubliner put in a phenomenal performance against Liverpool, he lead the line to perfection and created Spurs’ only two key chances out of nothing. He held up the ball really well and moved around the park like a young Robbie Keane. However, it was the tigerish Parrott’s hunger and determination which stood out above all else. His ability to make such mature decisions was mightily impressive as was his combative defending in front of the back four. The strikers high pressing unsettled the Liverpool defence and forced them into making errors. However, the many blocks and clearances he made inside his own penalty area spoke volumes about what kind of player he is. Think Harry Kane!

Liverpool: Kelleher, Whelan (c), Lewis, Phillips, Johnston, Chirivella, Adekanye, Christie-Davies (Coyle 75), McAuley (Millar 65), Virtue, Jones. Substitutes (not used): Atherton, Gallacher, Masterson.

Spurs: Whiteman, Hinds, Brown (Dinzeyi 86), Marsh (c), Eyoma, Tanganga, Edwards (Duncan 90+1), Maghoma, Parrott, Harrison, Georgiou. Substitutes (not used): De Bie, Roles.

Goals: Liverpool – Adekanye 14; Spurs – Edwards 23.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Georgiou 26, Maghoma 39, Duncan 90+2.

Red card: Spurs – Tanganga 2.

Referee: J Johnson.

Attendance: 3,114.

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool.

Spurs under 21/23’s statistics 2018/19:

Goals scored: Samuel Shashoua – 1
Marcus Edwards – 1

Assists: Troy Parrott – 1