Spurs under 23’s 3-0 Manchester United: (match report)

Our under 23 side were at times breathtaking on Friday evening, as Wayne Burnett’s side recorded a hugely impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester United at the Lamex stadium, a stadium that they have performed well in over the last few seasons. Ricky Sbragia’s united squad which contained first teamer Luke Shaw, along with experienced youth players Axel Tuanzebe and Scott McTominay, were outplayed by Burnett’s team throughout the game. Who, with their fluid passing and attacking flair, recorded a comprehensive victory over the visitors, in what was a brilliant team performance. Watched on by Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino in the stands, Burnett’s side started the game well inside the opening minutes, passing the ball around well and with creative intent. However, it was Sbragia’s side who had the first effort on goal when a long range effort from defender Ethan Hamilton was easily gathered by Austin in the Spurs nets. Spurs continued to keep a hold of possession, and they had an early chance moments later when a good move between Edwards and Pritchard ended in the latter sending a dangerous cross into the area, which was subsequently cleared by a United defender. Though, less then a minute later Spurs took the lead courtesy of a sumptuous effort from Marcus Edwards. It was a stunning strike from the Spurs prodigy, as he wriggled away from a United player before curling a wonderful effort into the top left hand corner of Richardson’s net, through the eye of a needle. Spurs soon capitalised on their early lead as they continued to go forward, then just minutes later Spurs made it 2-0! It was the perfect start from the team.

Joe Pritchard’s whipped corner was met well by the rising Tanganga, who powered a header into the goal 2-0, the lads were playing brilliant football. Our fluent passing continued to see us break down the United defence, a great pass by Skipp on 17 minutes picked out Bennetts down the left, but the full backs delivery was whipped across the face of the United goal. Burnett’s side were controlling the game they weren’t giving the Red Devil’s a sniff of a chance in front of goal, such was the superb defending of our back four. Things got even better for Spurs on 25 minutes when Spurs made it 3-0, after Eyoma passed through to Pritchard down the right, the midfielder showed good composure as he slid the ball under Richardson to make it three for Spurs, as the Spurs fans roared with delight. The youngsters were playing wonderful and decisive attacking football, whilst still controlling the game with a rock solid defence at the other end. They weren’t content with just three, as Spurs looked to strengthen their lead before half time, a free kick from Pritchard sailed over the cross bar ten minutes from time. Before, at the other end Hamilton tested Austin with a low effort but the Spurs keeper easily gathered. Then Sbragia’s side showed their potency, as they broke down the left flank before crossing, but their strikers effort was sliced well wide. It was a late attacking onslaught from United, who then whipped in a dangerous cross, which was palmed away well by Austin.

Spurs started the second half with the same attacking intensity, and just minutes in they should have made it four. Sterling threaded through a nice ball to Tracey, who took a touch before seeing the keeper flinch, and then hitting an effort narrowly wide of the post. Tracey again went close soon after, when he dragged an effort inches wide of the left post, Spurs were continuing to play that attractive attacking football against a struggling United side. Spurs were soon reminded of the danger the visitors still posed, when young Oliver Skipp was robbed of possession outside the Spurs box, but a fine save from Austin prevented United clawing a goal back. A highly eventful opening five minutes then saw the talented Edwards go on an Aguero like run on the edge of the United box, before hitting a side footed effort narrowly wide. Spurs’ continued hold of the game saw more chances come their way, the impressive Luke Amos glancing Eyoma’s cross narrowly wide of goal. But Spurs had to be alert at the other end as their fine defending continued to deny the visitors, a notably brave block by Brown stopped a powerful United attempt. A somewhat resurgent Man United then nodded a cross, across Austin’s goal. And the Spurs keeper was busy in the remaining minutes as he was forced into making a good save shortly afterwards. But the pick of the saves came 14 minutes from time, when a brilliant reflex save kept out Boonen’s header at the back post. The last clear cut chance of the game also happened down the Spurs end, when Olosunde’s effort ricocheted off of Austin’s near post. The final score, a superb 3-0 victory for Wayne Burnett’s men as an excellent performance sees Spurs get their first win of the campaign. COYS

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: Top performance from the Spurs keeper, excellent all round. Made some brilliant reflex saves.
– TJ Eyoma: Superb down the right dealt well with the pace of Shaw, very solid performance.
– Keanan Bennetts: Terrific shift at left back, brilliant going forward and creating. Whilst also getting back and winning important challenges.
– Oliver Skipp: I’m running out of superlatives to describe this starlets brilliant performances in the midfield. Once again superb both with his tackling, and creative passing, Dembelesque at times. Leadership off the ball also very impressive.
– Jaden Brown: Top performance at centre half, was very solid. Made some heroic challenges/blocks.
– Japhet Tanganga: One of the best players on the park and that’s saying something. Outstanding at the back, excellent positioning and some top challenges. Also, was excellent in the air, and even got a goal!
– Marcus Edwards: Great performance from a very special talent, so influential on the ball made some lovely runs. And scored a fantastic goal.
– Joe Pritchard: The Spurs skipper was my man of the match for the positive attacking influence he had on the game. Was great going forward and getting into good spaces, also showed a good range of passing. Got an all important goal and assist. Has an excellent work ethic!
– Kazaiah Sterling: Really good shift up front, worked really hard and lead the attack well. Done everything but score.
– Luke Amos: Made his return from injury in style, with an industrious and tidy midfield display.
– Shilow Tracey: Good attacking performance down the right, unlucky not to score.
– Dylan Duncan: Nice tidy and composed shift at midfield.
– Ryan Loft: Made some good powerful runs during his cameo.
– Samuel Shashoua: Only a fleeting cameo, but he really worked hard, and pressed the opposition well.

My man of the match: Joe Pritchard. The Spurs skipper was my man of the match for the positive attacking influence he had on the game. Was great going forward and getting into good spaces, also showed a good range of passing. Got an all important goal and assist. Has an excellent work ethic!

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Bennetts, Skipp, Brown, Tanganga, Edwards, Pritchard (c), Sterling (Loft 78), Amos (Duncan 63), Tracey (S Shashoua 77). Substitutes (not used): Marsh, O’Reilly (GK).

Manchester United: Richardson, Olosunde, Shaw, Warren, Tuanzebe, Hamilton, Boulii, McTominay (c), Wilson (Buffonge 78), Boonen, Mitchell. Substitutes (not used): Sang, Whelan, Scott, M Johnstone (GK).
Goals: Spurs – Edwards 11, Tanganga 12, Pritchard 25.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Pritchard 59, Amos 61, Skipp 83; Manchester United – Shaw 87.

Referee: Daniel Middleton.

Attendance: 1,193.

Spurs under 23’s 2-3 West Ham united: (match report)

Our under 23’s first home game of the campaign ended in a narrow 3-2 defeat against West Ham at Hotspur Way, in an exciting end to end London derby on Monday. I’m still trying to fathom how Wayne Burnetts side didn’t get something out of Monday lunchtimes PL2 match, such was their fine team display and deserving performance, the lads deserved a point at the very least. But after a weekend which saw our under 18’s and senior squad squad lose after valiant performances, our luck was absent again for yesterday’s encounter, which was a fiercely contested match. It wasn’t long before the game saw its first chance, after Spurs gave possession away on the edge of the penalty area, Samuelsen (I believe) ran through on goal before forcing a decent stop out of Austin at his near post. Then on ten minutes Spurs went close at the other end, when Edwards who’d sent a dangerous cross into the box moments earlier, played the ball through to Tracey with the resulting throw in. The makeshift striker getting past his man, before powering a shot inches wide of Trott’s post. Spurs continued their intensity on the game as Burnetts side went in search of the opener, a good team move started off by Skipp in the midfield, who passed to Edwards before jinking past a couple of players, he then played through Tracey inside the box. The number 9 only being denied via a superb sliding challenge by Olatunji Akinola. It was an incredibly even game as West Ham striker Antonio Martinez proved just moments later at the other end. The former Valencia man got past Brown before thumping an effort at goal, but Austin was there to thwart his effort with a fine stop.

Neither side was taking a hold of the game as both teams battled it out for possession, young Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp was a prominent and influential force in the middle of the park, creating from deep, and making some crucial challenges. However, Burnetts team broke the deadlock on 34 minutes when Dylan Duncan capped off a fine Spurs move with the opener. The influential Will Miller drove forward down the left flank, after receiving an incisive pass by Skipp. The former Leyton Orient youngster, crossing for Tracey who done well to hold the ball up in the penalty area, before teeing it off for Duncan whose deflected low effort beat Trott, to make it 1-0. Since taking the lead Spurs had gathered real momentum going forward, a deflected effort from Edwards went wide shortly after. Then, just over 10 minutes after taking the lead, Spurs doubled their advantage over the hammers, when Marcus Edwards gave the lilywhites a two goal cushion. The nimble footed winger was brought down in the West Ham penalty area by Akinola, with the referee instantly awarding a penalty for Spurs. Edwards stepped up to calmly send Trott the wrong way, 2-0. Things were going brilliantly for Spurs as they looked to expose a West Ham side that seemed to have lost its composure, we almost made it three on the stroke of half time. When Bennetts produced a wonderful piece of skill down the left, as he beat two men before whipping in a sumptuous cross into the box, which Tracey was inches away from converting.

Moments into the second half, Spurs had a golden chance to put the game to bed when the skipper Joe Pritchard broke through on goal, slotting his effort narrowly wide. Terry Westley’s side threatened soon after, when one of their defenders headed an effort across goal from the resulting corner. Then moments later Burnetts side was dealt a real blow, when the hammers clawed one back through winger Dan Kemp. Neufville sent a teasing cross in from the left, and Kemp was their to tap home causing a disastrous start for Spurs. West Ham were really going for it, they’d really upped their game, a brilliant challenge by Spurs centre half Tanganga soon afterwards, stopped a sure equaliser. We were looking vulnerable as the hammers burst forward down the flanks looking for that equaliser, potent target man Martinez heading narrowly wide of Austins goal after getting on the end of a cross, Westley’s side were putting us under real pressure. The inevitable then occurred on 56 minutes when West Ham deservedly drew level courtesy of a stunner from Nathan Holland. The former Everton youngster who had impressed throughout the game, cut inside from the left from around 20 yards out. Before unleashing a brilliant curler which nestled inside the top corner of Austin’s net, you knew it was in the moment it left his boot. It was a proper London Derby, crunching challenges were being made by both sides as they went in search of snatching a winner, it was impossible to predict what way it would go. Spurs responded by really going for the game (losing their composure a bit in doing so) Tracey sent a wide ball to Edwards who took it down on the edge of the area before firing over.

Then it was the hammers who went close, Martinez’s effort on goal being brilliantly blocked by Tanganga on the line, though he injured Austin in the process. West Ham’s sustained pressure paid off just after the hour mark, when Josh Pask put the east London club ahead. Spurs had gone close at the opposite end notably through Pritchard, but it was West Ham who scored what proved to be the winner. When, Pask volleyed home Akinola’s cross from six yards out, leaving Austin stationary in the Spurs goal, 3-2. Burnetts side continued to attack well despite letting slip a two goal lead, Edwards playing a nice ball through to Tracey who outmuscled the West Ham defender before testing Trott with a thumping effort at his near post. The newly introduced Samuel Shashoua and Ryan Loft added fresh legs to Spurs’ team. They frantically went in search of an equaliser as the rain poured down, our best chance of all coming deep into stoppage time. The substitute, Loft whipped a dangerous cross in to the area, Skipp went diving in as he tried to bundle it over the line, but a West Ham defender got there in the nick of time to clear it, at which point I was celebrating thinking we had scored! West Ham went on to counter attack, Holland raced through on goal down the left but his weak effort was easily gathered by Austin. A pulsating but ultimately unrewarding game for the lads, as West Ham went on to record a victory. Despite playing some great football, Burnetts side will be bitterly disappointed to lose out against West Ham, it was just one of those weekends for Spurs. Our under 23’s host Manchester United at Stevenage on Friday.

My man of the match: It seems to be a recurring theme that I’m awarding Oliver Skipp with man of the match yet again this season. Absolutely superb performance from the young man, he was instrumental in creating chances from deep, but yet again it was his impeccable positioning, pressing off the opposition, and guile that made it such an impressive performance from the 16 year old starlet, I can’t sing his praises highly enough!

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: Made some fine stops, had a good performance. None of the goals were of any fault of his own.
– TJ Eyoma: Strong defensive performance like much of our defence despite the result. Looked assured down the right flank, made some fine challenges.
– Keanan Bennetts: Brilliant going forward, felt it was a bit of a shame he wasn’t playing on the wing though.
– Oliver Skipp: It seems to be a recurring theme that I’m awarding Oliver Skipp with man of the match yet again this season. Absolutely superb performance from the young man, he was instrumental in creating chances from deep, but yet again it was his impeccable positioning, pressing off the opposition, and guile that made it such an impressive performance from the 16 year old starlet, I can’t sing his praises highly enough!
– Japhet Tanganga: You wouldn’t think it after we’d conceded 3 goals, but Tanganga was superb at the back. His timing and the quality of his challenges prevented more goals going West Ham’s way.
– Jaden Brown: Filled in well at centre half, made some fine blocks and interceptions.
– Marcus Edwards: Impressive down the right, done well to get his goal.
– Dylan Duncan: Impressive, well taken goal.
– Samuel Shashoua: Exciting cameo. Hoping he starts the Man united game.
– Shilow Tracey: Lead the line well, pressed and created Duncan’s goal.
– Joe Pritchard: The skipper done well, was a real threat going forward.
– Will Miller: Really creative down the flanks.

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Bennetts, Skipp, Tanganga, Brown, Edwards, Duncan (S Shashoua 72), Tracey (Sterling 79), Pritchard (c), Miller (Loft 58). Substitutes (not used): Dinzeyi, O’Reilly (GK).

West Ham: Trott, Pike, Neufville, Makasi (c), Akinola, Pask, Kemp (Hector-Ingram 84), Powell (Sylvestre 58), Martinez, Samuelsen (Diangana 46), Holland. Substitutes (not used): Scully, Matrevics (GK).

Goals: Spurs – Duncan 33, Edwards 44 (pen); West Ham – Kemp 49, Holland 56, Pask 63.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Skipp 74; West Ham – Martinez 70.

Referee: David Rock.

 

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

” I said to the players afterwards, yes, we were in control of the game but when you’ve got them in your clutches you need to finish them off but we didn’t quite do that, we were a little bit safe at times but we’ll learn from that.” (Wayne Burnett)

Our under 23’s first PL2 game of the season was one of bitter disappointment for Wayne Burnett’s side as they lost 2-1 to Sunderland at their Eppleton Colliery welfare ground, in the picturesque hills of County Durham. Spurs were for the vast majority of the game the better side, they bossed possession looked sharp both on and off the ball and could easily have scored three or four goals. Burnett’s side came up against a Sunderland team with half a dozen senior squad players involved. Our lads weren’t fazed by the numerous seasoned pros they came up against (Jack Rodwell, Djilobodji and Bryan Oviedo included) instead they took the game to the home side. We played the better football, looked the better team and above all else we looked assured and mature as a side. 16 year old Oliver Skipp putting in an exceptional display as he controlled the midfield, Tanganga and Maghoma coped very well against the Sunderland attack. And the creativity of Will Miller saw us create many a fine chance, but in the end it was the experience of the hosts who exposed the vulnerability of youth with in the key areas of midfield and defence, which saw the black cats pip us to victory late on. We controlled the opening proceedings of the game, dominating possession, with centre half Tanganga spraying around a wonderful range of passes from the back. Our first clear cut chance of the game seeing, Sterling enter the box before having his shot blocked by a last ditch challenge.

Minutes later another half chance presented itself for the lilywhites, winger Will Miller cutting inside on to his right foot on the edge of the area, before Ruiter got down to tip his curling effort away from danger. The home side then went close at the other end when Gooch (who played in Sunderland’s league cup game last night) curled an effort narrowly wide of Austin’s angle. Then soon afterwards the American youth international managed to get the wrong side of Maghoma in the Spurs penalty area as he advanced one on one with Austin, his low effort kept out by a fine save from Austin. Then on the half hour mark we created a fine chance of our own, starting with a tackle won by Skipp in the centre of the park. Skipp passed to Sterling who powered forward before playing the ball out wide, which eventually came across to Duncan on the edge of the box who dragged the ball wide of the post. Burnetts side continued to go on the offensive, left back Jaden Brown who had been so impressive in the first half, went on a surging run down the left wing as he advanced into the Sunderland penalty area, where despite being challenged Brown hit a low shot which dashed past the face of the goal. Spurs’ attacking prowess and incisive play was rewarded less then a minute later when striker Kazaiah Sterling put Spurs into the lead. Skipp powered a header forward to Sterling, after capitalising on the back of a poor Sunderland clearance. Sterling gave the Sunderland defender a clean set of heels before calmly slotting the ball past Ruiter and into the back of the net.

The 18 year old striker had the chance to double our lead on the stroke of half time, Sterling rounded Dutch goalkeeper Robin Ruiter just outside the box, but he didn’t end up going for goal as a Sunderland defender intercepted the ball. The home side came out for the second half looking the better of the two sides, Sunderland’s Andrew Nelson lashing the ball over Austin’s crossbar from the edge of the box, straight after the restart. Before Ethan Robson then tested the goalkeeper with a rasping free kick, Austin doing well to tip the ball over the bar. Sunderland’s revitalised second half performance was almost cancelled out on 65 minutes. When Will Miller’s well crafted free kick was superbly met by Tanganga, whose looping header cannoned against the underneath of the crossbar, it looked as if it was a certain goal. Our impressive attacking play down the flanks continued to threaten the home side, Pritchard’s pass to Tracey down the right, saw the powerful winger have a go at Ruiter’s inside post, Tracey’s effort was deflected into the side netting. Despite the many attacks we had on goal, the home side finally broke down our strong defence when Ethan Robson drew level for Elliott Dickman’s side on 70 minutes. Pritchard made a mistake in the centre of the park when his pass was intercepted by Robson. Who surged forward before firing a low effort from 20 yards out, which flew into the bottom corner of Austin’s goal, 1-1.

What seemed a fierce clash of heads involving Oliver Skipp, saw the midfielder fall to the floor but the youngster dusted himself down and got up to shake it away. This signified his character throughout the game. We continued to go in search of reestablishing our lead, the newly introduced Marcus Edwards embarking on a mazy run into the penalty area when he was brought down by a Sunderland defender, in what could well have been given as a penalty. We looked in search of that winner but it wasn’t to come, Burnett’s side being dealt a cruel blow in stoppage time. When substitute Denver Hume got a late winner for the home side, after Hume managed to get the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box, before rifling a low effort at goal which left Austin helpless as it nestled into the bottom right hand corner of his net. Despite a good effort at goal from Ryan Loft late on, we succumbed to a cruel 2-1 defeat in County Durham. But results aside, Burnett’s team played really well and that’s what they can take away from this season opener. COYS

Player reviews: – Brandon Austin: Good performance from Austin, who made a string of fine saves, also dealt well with crosses.
– TJ Eyoma: Prominent down the right side, done well going forward and getting back to defend.
– Christian Maghoma: Typically tenacious performance from Maghoma at centre half, linked up well with Tanganga. Made some important interceptions and won a host of aerial duels.
– Japhet Tanganga: Really impressive showing from the 18 year old centre half. Superb in the air and in his challenges, whilst also demonstrating a wonderful range of passes.
– Jaden Brown: Classy shift from the fast left back, was a real offensive threat. Whilst also being defensively sound.
– Oliver Skipp: Exceptional performance from the 16 year old, he controlled the midfield, broke up play successfully, was confident and assured both on and off the ball. Made a string of top passes, whilst also going on to assist Sterling for his goal.
– Dylan Duncan: Tidy and creative performance from the promising midfielder.
– Joe Pritchard: Good performance from the attacking midfielder who constantly looked for pockets of space, whilst also showing good vision in his passing. Unlucky to give the ball away to Robson who went on to equalise.
– Will Miller: An experienced player in the side, Miller had a fruitful game. The nimble footed forward going on to be the main source of creativity.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Opened up his account for the season with goal, pressed really well and had a good game.
– Shilow Tracey: Made a good impact on the game down the right side.
– Keanan Bennetts: Impressed down the left side when coming on, went on a couple of good runs.
– Marcus Edwards: Impressive cameo, showed nice skill and awareness.
– Ryan Loft: Made a good impact up front in his short time on the pitch.

 

My man of the match: Oliver Skipp. Exceptional performance from the 16 year old, he controlled the midfield, broke up play successfully, was confident and assured both on and off the ball. Made a string of top passes, whilst also going on to assist Sterling for his goal. Skipp looked light years ahead of his age, I can’t sing his praises highly enough.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Love, Oviedo (Hume 61), Embleton, Beadling, Djilobodji, Nelson, E Robson, Gooch (Molyneux 46), Rodwell (Bale 61), Diamond. Substitutes (not used): Stryjek (GK), Ledger.

Spurs: Austin, Eyoma, Brown, Skipp, C Maghoma, Tanganga, Tracey (Edwards 74), Duncan, Sterling (Loft 74), Pritchard (c), Miller (Bennetts 66). Substitutes (not used): O’Reilly (GK), S Shashoua.

Goals: Sunderland – Robson 70, Hume 89; Spurs – Sterling 35.

Yellow cards: Sunderland – Love 75; Spurs – Maghoma 38, Eyoma 81.

Referee: Mr G Hart.

Attendance: 394.