Spurs under 23’s 3-2 Cambridge United: (match report)

Our under 23’s put in an exceptional display on Friday evening as they defeated league two club Cambridge United 3-2 at their Abbey stadium, in a testimonial game for the U’s Josh Coulson. Wayne Burnett’s young side rose to the challenge, outplaying the far older team, leaving themselves in great stead ahead of next months Checkatrade trophy, in what was a brilliant collective team effort from the lilywhites. It was the homeside who started off the brighter in the opening minutes, trying to make the most of a mix up in the Spurs box, the man of the evening Josh Coulson powered an effort at goal only to see Shilow Tracey block it away from danger. Soon afterwards we found our rhythm, young wing back Keanan Bennett’s beating his man with sheer pace down the left before whipping a cross deep into the box which Harrison narrowly put over debutant David Forde’s crossbar. Then on 13 minutes Spurs took a surprise lead through striker Shayon Harrison after the referee awarded a penalty. Maghoma had launched a pass upfield which was brought down by Pritchard as he was brought to the floor on the edge of the box, the referee had no hesitations as he pointed to the spot. Harrison stepped up confidently as he sent Forde the wrong way to put Burnett’s side 1-0 up. Spurs were hungry for more shortly after the restart, with Harrison testing Forde from the edge of the box, whilst shortly afterwards Shilow Tracey saw his effort deflected on to the side netting. We were controlling the game, dictating the tempo throughout the pitch, we were also rock solid at the back with some commendable defending from both Maghoma and Eyoma. Our next chance saw goalscorer Shayon Harrison go desperately close to bagging his second of the game. Harrison chipping the former Millwall and Portsmouth goalkeeper, only to see his effort rebound off the post much to the relief of Forde.

Our upper hand on the game continued to show and we should have doubled our lead five minutes from half time, after Shilow Tracey broke down the right wing before squaring for Pritchard in the box, but he’s side footed effort lacked power and was thus denied by a diving save from Forde. However, it wasn’t to matter as just a couple of minutes later we did double our lead through Shayon Harrison yet again, the 20 year old tapping home from close range, after Duncan got hold of possession outside the box before surging forward and laying it on a plate for Harrison to tap home, 2-0. De Bie made sure we went in to the break two goals ahead, as the Belgian punched clear a cross before then denying a rebound with a fine piece of goalkeeping to deny a Cambridge player. However, Spurs started the second half in the worst possible way conceding to the hosts after just seven minutes of play when Luke Berry got the better of Tanganga down the side of the box, before powering past De Bie from a couple of yards out, 2-1. We continued to control the game but weren’t creating many clear chances, and it almost cost us as Shaun Derry’s men came close to forcing an equaliser. When Tanganga was robbed of possession by a Cambridge forward who surged forward into the penalty area only to be stopped by the out rushing De Bie who bravely got down to make a fine stop.

Spurs continued to grow in confidence as the game progressed, going from strength to strength as Harrison netted his hat trick on 64 minutes to stun the 2,000 strong crowd. Substitute Samuel Shashoua who had a great impact on the game, passed to Roles inside the box, the Cypriot youth international hitting the ball across the face of the goal for Harrison to poach home to make it 3-1 to Spurs. Spurs were outplaying Cambridge, the surging Tracey unlucky not to make it four for Spurs as he’s close range effort was kept out by the goalkeeper. The newly introduced pairing of Loft and Sterling linking up well, as the former delivered a great pass into the box which Sterling latched on to, swivelling round before forcing a great reflex save out of the U’s keeper to somehow keep it at 3-1. For all our dominance, the home side were able to pull a goal back deep in stoppage time through powerful striker Uche Ikpeazu. After he got passed Tanganga in the box before cleverly lobbing De Bie to ensure a late consolation goal. It wasn’t to matter in the slightest, as Burnett’s side went on to record a hugely impressive 3-2 victory for which they can all be tremendously proud of, it may have been men against boys but our lads showed just how great a future they have, playing the Pochettino way to outplay the league two club.

My man of the match: I could easily have given it to the whole team for a stunning collective performance but I’ve got to give it to hat trick hero Shayon Harrison who put in a magnificent performance up front. Clinical and assured, Harrison impressed in every aspect of his game, and his phenomenal goalscoring record continues to show why he’s got such a bright future in the game.

Player reviews:
– Jonathan De Bie: Impressive once again in between the sticks, brave and commanding, the 17 year old made a series of fine saves, whilst his distribution put us in a coupe of vulnerable situations. The Belgian youth international had a great game nonetheless.
– TJ Eyoma: Superb showing at right back from the 17 year old, very comfortable performance from the young Englishman, who made some brilliant challenges.
– Keanan Bennett’s: Second performance at wingback in less then a week, and the second time he’s put in an excellent display. Pacy, assured and influential in attack.
– Luke Amos: Industrious and workman like performance from the captain who was efficient and tidy for the entirety of his time on the pitch.
– Christian Maghoma: Magnificent performance from Maghoma at centre half, one of the best players on the pitch. Maghoma put in the complete defensive performance and didn’t put a foot wrong all night.
– Japhet Tanganga: Dominant performance from the 18 year old centre half, paired up excellently with Maghoma. And was very good in the air.
– Jack Roles: Bagged an assist for our third goal, Roles showed time and time again his ability to create space for himself inside the penalty area.
– Joe Pritchard: Tricky and smart performance from the midfielder who won the penalty for our opener.
– Shayon Harrison: Match winning performance from a young striker brimming with confidence.
– Dylan Duncan: One of our most important players throughout, Duncan probably had the biggest impact on the game, highly creative as he moved across the midfield. Duncan was like a young Fabregas as he roamed throughout the middle of the park, dictating play.
– Shilow Tracey: Powerful and influential performance from the winger who was on a mission to impress.
– Matt Lock: Impressive late cameo from the fullback, skilful and composed.
– Oliver Skipp: Assured and impressive cameo from the talented 16 year old anchorman.
– Samuel Shashoua: Changed the flow of the game since coming on, such an intelligent performance.
– Ryan Loft: Good hold up play and movement.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Looked very sharp when introduced, was unlucky not to score.

 

Cambridge United: Forde, Carroll, Taylor, Legge, Berry, Dunk, Ibehere, Osadebe, O’Neil, Coulson (c), trialist. Substitutes: Deegan, Mingoia, Ikpeazu, Azeez, Roberts, trialist (GK), Amoo, Elito, Davies, Darling, trialist.

Spurs U23s: De Bie, Eyoma (Lock 74), Bennetts, Amos (c, Skipp 79), C Maghoma, Tanganga, Roles (Sterling 70), Pritchard (S Shashoua 46), Harrison, Duncan, Tracey (Loft 70). Substitute (not used): Freeman (GK).

Goals: Cambridge United – Berry 52, Ikpeazu 90+2; Spurs – Harrison 13 (pen), 40, 64.

Referee: Chris Pollard.

Attendance: 2,188.

 

Spurs XI 1-3 Ebbsfleet United: (match report)

“I think there were some positives, some nice play at times. We have to do better at both ends – certainly we have to defend better in our box and be a bit better in their box as well, but it’s game one so we’ll take the positives, get back on the training field and carry out some more work. (Wayne Burnett)

A Spurs XI took on national league side Ebbsfleet United on Saturday afternoon in a pre season friendly which was being held in memory of Ebbsfleet’s former captain and assistant manager Paul McCarthy who passed away earlier this year. Wayne Burnett fielded an incredibley youthful side in what was his first in charge as under 23 head coach, our young XI put up a spirited fight against the fleet in a game where the scores finished 3-1 to the home side despite Spurs’ best efforts. A crowd of 2,130 packed in to Stonebridge road to watch this afternoons match which despite the negative scoreline, was a hugely intriguing and competitive game which will have provided some excellent experience for our young players. Burnett’s team was a lot younger than I expected, with the majority of players being around the age of 18, whilst there were several notable absentees from our under 23 squad which included Will Miller, Anthony Georgiou and Alfie Whiteman. Spurs enjoyed a good spell of possession in the opening minutes of the game and they produced an early chance to show for it, on six minutes Harrison who was playing on the right wing, slid the ball across to Loft in the box, though he slipped the striker managed to get a shot on goal which seemed to be stopped by the hands of an Ebbsfleet defender, the referee waved play on. It was the home side who broke the deadlock on 17 minutes through former Spurs man Darren McQueen, the pacy striker was in the right place at the right time as he tapped home Jack Connors whipped cross from out wide, leaving De Bie helpless in the Spurs nets.

We were presented with a half chance a couple of minutes later after, Keanan Bennett’s was fouled on the edge of the box, Shashoua’s following free kick wasn’t too far away as it rose over the cross bar. Five minutes later the home side again tested our defence at the other end, a ball was sprayed across the face of De Bie’s goal which Maghoma managed to get a vital touch on to, to steer it clear of danger. Soon afterwards Daryl McMahon’s side came at us again, this time via Jack Powell whose free kick hammered on to De Bie’s right post before going wide. Burnett’s side made an instant response down the other end as 20 year old midfielder Joe Pritchard tried his luck from range, he’s delightful curling effort going narrowly over Ashmore’s cross bar, an excellent effort from Pritchard! We again came close through the midfielder on the stroke of half time but his half chance hit the side netting. The fleet came firing out the blocks at the beginning of the second half, and it was former Spur Darren McQueen who was again at the root of it, the striker got the better of Maghoma for pace before firing an effort at goal which was saved well by De Bie. Only two minutes later Bennett’s forced a fine stop out of Ashmore with his powerful effort from outside the box.

We found ourselves 2-0 down on 51 minutes after the national league side doubled their lead courtesy of a thunderbolt from midfielder Luke Coulson. Coulson’s effort from just outside the box left De Bie with no chance as it flew into the bottom left hand corner of the net, a superb strike from the Ebbsfleet man. Just when it looked like our young side had the game out of bounds, Shayon Harrison produced a fine effort a mere two minutes after Ebbsfleet’s goal. The goal came about after Bennett’s whipped delivery was blocked out in to the path of Harrison, who from the edge of the area rifled a shot into the back of the net, 2-1! We almost levelled in the minutes that followed after Loft lashed the ball across the face of Ashmore’s goal, but McMahon’s side were looking to capitalise on our attacking style of play, former Hull city man Aaron McLean fired a close range effort over the newly introduced Charlie Freeman’s cross bar, in a chance that should have put the game to bed for the hosts. Just seven minutes later it looked as if we had grabbed a dramatic late equaliser through substitute Jack Roles, Bennett’s initial shot was parried by Ashmore only for Tracey’s follow up to be deflected into the path of poacher Jack Roles who bundled the ball home from close range, only to see the linesman flag for offside, a cruel blow for Burnett’s side!

The Kent club confirmed their victory nine minutes from time when substitute Danny Kedwell sealed victory from the penalty spot. The referee pointed to the spot after Dean Rance’s pass struck the arm of Japhet Tanganga, the referees decision in my opinion was a bit harsh. Kedwell’s powerful effort from the spot landed in the bottom corner of the net despite a fine touch by Freeman. Ebbsfleet almost found their fourth deep in stoppage time, after Coulson spotted Freeman off his line the winger tried his luck from long range but the 17 year goalkeeper on his first under 23 appearance got back to tip the ball over the bar. The final score Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Spurs, the fleet ran out deserved winners in a highly entertaining game. Despite the result for Burnett’s side, at the end of the day it was men against boys and I thought our lads did themselves proud this afternoon. Our under 23’s are involved in another pre season friendly next Saturday against league 2 side Cambridge United, it’s great to have Spurs back after a long summer! COYS

My Man of the match: Our most creative and proactive player, my man of the match was 18 year old winger turned wingback Keanan Bennett’s, whose sharpness and crossing caused the home side many problems down the left side.

Player reviews:

– Jonathan De Bie: Was pleased to see De Bie get 70 minutes for the under 23’s after such a long injury lay off last season, made a couple of good saves and was good playing the ball out from the back, showed good feet.
– TJ Eyoma: Really mature and impressive performance from the right back, dealt well with the physicality of the game and looked very comfortable throughout.
– Keanan Bennett’s: Adapted really well to the unfamiliar role of left wing back, was probably our most creative player. Used his pace well down the wing, was very sharp.
– Luke Amos: One of the most experienced players in the side, Amos dominated the midfield and was tidy with his passing throughout.
– Christian Maghoma: The captain was heavily involved throughout the game, dealt really well with the physicalness of the home side and the pace of McQueen. Also demonstrated good leadership.
– Japhet Tanganga: The 18 year old centre half had a decent game at the back good in the air, Tanganga was very unlucky to concede a penalty.
– Shayon Harrison: Our only goalscorer Harrison enjoyed a good second half on the wing after a quiet first one.
– Joe Pritchard: One of our best players going forward from the midfield, was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.
– Ryan Loft: Battled really well up front showed some really impressive hold up play but didn’t receive a lot of service.
– Samuel Shashoua: Although only playing the first half, Shashoua played as a free roaming attacking midfielder, skilful and tidy throughout.
– Shilow Tracey: Had a very quiet game down the left wing against his former club.
– Dylan Duncan: Impressive second half showing from the midfielder.
– Jack Roles: Decent under 23 debut for Roles, desperately unlucky not to get our equaliser.

 

Ebbsfleet United: Ashmore, Connors (Graham 72), Winfield (c), Clark (Shields 72), Powell (Rance 64), Drury (Coulson 46), Weston (Cook 51), McQueen (Mambo 72), Payne, Mills (Kedwell 64), Magri (McLean 72). Substitutes (not used): McCoy, Miles (GK).

Spurs XI: De Bie (Freeman 72), Eyoma (Lock 72), Bennetts, Amos, C Maghoma (c)Tanganga, Harrison, Pritchard (Roles 61), Loft (Hinds 69), S Shashoua (Duncan 46), Tracey.

Goals: Ebbsfleet – McQueen 17, Coulson 52, Kedwell 88 (pen); Spurs – Harrison 56.

Referee: Jack Packman.

Attendance: 2,130.