Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Leicester: (match report)

Our under 23’s were defeated 4-1 by Leicester city at White Hart Lane on Thursday evening, in what was their penultimate game of the PL2 season. It was a very tough game for our development squad on an emotional and physical level, against a strong Leicester city outfit. It was their first game since the tragic death of head coach Ugo Ehiogu, players and supporters took part in a poignant minutes applause ahead of kick off. Leicester city needed a win if they were to stand any chance of avoiding the drop, and Steve Beaglehole played a strong team which included players that had been involved in first team action for the foxes, with Poland international Bartosz Kapustka and Ben Hamer both starting. The game started with a flurry of chances for both sides, with Glover and Hamer both being forced into making some key saves. Kapustka had a really good chance for the visitors on 11 minutes when he received the ball inside the area, but his effort from close range was superbly blocked by a line of Spurs defenders. Tom Glover made an exceptional diving save to deny Harvey Barnes close range effort at his near post shortly afterwards. Openings were hard to come by for Spurs and their lack of creativity was punished on 23 minutes when Leicester took the lead through Harvey Barnes. The in swinging corner was missed by Glover with the ball falling to Barnes to flick in to an empty net, 1-0 Leicester. We went close to forcing an equaliser six minutes later, when Tracey who was one on one with Hamer had his effort well smothered by the 29 year old. We were on the back foot for the remainder of the first half, with Beaglehole’s side looking for their second. Leicester continued to create chances and tested Glover with some fine efforts.

The first half an hour of the second half was pretty uneventful with barely any clear cut chances for either side bar a testing effort from Shashoua which had Hamer down at his near post to thwart the effort. However, it was the visitors who doubled their advantage on 76 minutes when Josh Gordon netted for the foxes, Gordon had acres of space and time on the left side of the box before comfortably slotting the ball past Glover to effectively end the game. Things went from bad to worse a couple of minutes later, when Spurs goalkeeper Tom Glover was sent off. Barnes was through on goal with only Glover to beat when the forward attempted to lob Glover from outside the box, but the Australian was instinctive and in a moment of spontaneity he blocked his effort with his hands, the referee had no other choice but to send Glover on his way. Substitute goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman could do nothing about Barnes’ resulting free kick which he curled delightfully over the wall and into the back of the net from the edge of the area. Spurs’ defeat was complete seven minutes later, when Gordon netted his second of the game. Wood’s fine pass was calmly directed into the back of Whiteman’s net by the striker to put the foxes 4-0 ahead. However, just two minutes later we clawed back a consolation goal through Marcus Edwards, after the England youth international danced his way into the box with a lovely piece of skill before being fouled by Choudhury. Edwards stepped up to convert his penalty emphatically into the roof of the net, the final score Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Leicester.

The result from last nights match didn’t matter, it was a highly emotional game and the lads done their best against a strong and well structured Leicester side. Coach Matt Wells said the following: “Obviously we’re very disappointed, not only with the scoreline but also with something we tried to concentrate on before the game in terms of delivering a performance that fitted the occasion. There was a real drive and willingness among the players and staff to make the evening special and a fitting tribute to Ugo.” COYS

Player review:
– Tom Glover: Made a couple of really good saves during the first half, his sending off was an instinctive hand ball, you couldn’t really fault Glover for his intervention.
– Japhet Tanganga: Adapted well to the unfamiliar position of right back.
– Christian Maghoma: Excellent as always aerially, was decent at the back in what was a very busy night for the young centre half.
– Filip Lesniak: Made some good challenges in what was a hardworking but tough performance.
– Jaden Brown: I was impressed once again with Brown, he was defensively solid at left back and is adapting really well to under 23 football.
– Luke Amos: Tenacious performance from Amos who has just returned from a loan spell with Southend. Amos made some crunching tackles and was tidy and efficient throughout the game.
– Cy Goddard: Had yet another good game in the centre of the park, showed good feet and made some nice passes.
– Shilow Tracey: Worked his socks off, Tracey constantly looked for pockets of space and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet.
– Marcus Edwards: The source of Spurs’ creativity, a very good performance from a very good young player.
– Keanan Bennetts: Had some good moments down the right, caused problems for Wood with his searing pace.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Sterling worked hard but was never really involved in the game due to the lack of chances Spurs created.
– Samuel Shashoua: Fresh from his stunning performance for the under 18’s last Saturday. Shashoua came off the bench to make a good impact on the game during the second half, every time he got the ball he was looking to create or go forward, he also tested Hamer with a good effort from a tight angle.

My man of the match: Marcus Edwards was without doubt Spurs’ most influential player, Edwards was the bright spark in a team that was lacking creatively. Edwards embarked on a series of skilful runs and he got his rewards late on, after winning a penalty before firing it home from the spot.

Spurs: Glover, Tanganga, Brown, Amos, Maghoma, Lesniak (c), Bennetts (Marsh 82), Goddard (Shashoua 58), Tracey, Edwards, Sterling (Whiteman 79). Substitute (not used): Roles.

Leicester City: Hamer, Johnson, Wood, Hammond (Uche Rubio 80), Moore (c), Knight, Kapustka (Kaba Sherif 54), Choudhury, Gordon, Barnes, Martis (Watts 67). Substitutes (not used): Pascanu, Iversen (GK).

Goals: Spurs – Edwards 89 (pen); Leicester – Barnes 23, 80, Gordon 76, 87.

Yellow card: Spurs – Maghoma 74.

Red card: Spurs – Glover 78.

Referee: Dean Treleaven.

Attendance: 2,226.

Spurs under 23’s 1-4 Everton: (match report)

“There were five shots on target and they scored four, but for 65 minutes I thought we controlled the game if I’m being honest. We lacked a killer instinct, a bit of power and directness at times, plus a bit of cuteness – they were a bit cuter than us and played with a bit more football nous and league experience than we did. We were a little bit too honest in that respect.” (Ugo Ehiogu)

Our under 23’s fell to a 4-1 defeat against Everton, at Goodison park on Monday evening in a match where the score couldn’t give justice to a battling Spurs performance. I was at a bitterly cold Goodison park reporting on Monday evenings game where Ugo Ehiogu’s side gave a good account of themselves against top of the table Everton, the blues side including a selection of first team players including Muhamed Bešić and Ademola Lookman. There was a surprise inclusion on the team sheet, trialist Ryan Johnson who plays for Stevenage started for the Lillywhites at left centre back. The 20 year old centre half who has played 12 times for Stevenage’s first team, had a trial at Man United two years ago. After a fairly uneventful opening 25 minutes where a solid and defensively structured Spurs side controlled the tempo of the game, Spurs came close to breaking the deadlock when bright spark Marcus Edwards went close on 26 minutes. Edwards’s embarked on a mazy run into the Everton box skipping past an Everton defender before unleashing a shot from close range, which was well blocked by defender Brendan Galloway. Spurs were taking control of the game, and were beginning to look the much better side. Cy Goddard set up forward Shilow Tracey, when he slipped the ball through to the striker from a free kick, Tracey’s effort from a tight angle was well saved by Hewelt.

Everton went close at the other end when Calvert-Lewin powered a header narrowly wide of Glovers right post. Spurs went into the interval the better side, structured and in control they were dealing with an experienced Everton side with relative ease. Spurs continued to impress in the opening stages of the second half, the back three of Tanganga, Maghoma and Johnson well marshalled Everton’s attacking line. However, the potent Ademola Lookman opened the scoring for the blues on 64 minutes. The former Charlton player latched onto Galloway’s deflected cross at the far post, bundling the ball past Glover and into the net. Everton were starting to stamp their authority on the game and soon added their second eight minutes
later, Miller saw his long range effort well saved at the other end, before the blues doubled their advantage through Bassala Sambou. The newly introduced striker curled the ball wonderfully into the top corner as he turned past his man, a classy goal that left Glover rooted to his spot. However, Spurs fought back three minutes later when substitute Kazaiah Sterling nodded home Marcus Edwards cross, after some really good work from Edwards he created an opening, 2-1! The drama continued at a quick pace, Everton effectively ending the game just minutes after Spurs pulled a goal back. In a goal that was similar to their second, Kieran Dowell curled a delicious effort into the top corner of the net leaving Glover with no chance, 3-1 to Everton.

Everton rounded of the game with a fourth three minutes from time when a deflected pass from the defence was played straight into the feet of Calvert-Lewin, who stroked the ball home from close range. The final score Spurs 1-4 Everton, a game where the scoreline couldn’t have been further from the truth, we were the better side for the majority of the game, Ehiogu’s young side putting in a commendable display against a much older Everton side, they deserved a draw.

Player review: – Tom Glover: Everton’s goals were of no fault of his own, wasn’t called into action for the most part of the game.
– TJ Eyoma: Decent display at wing back from the under 18, stayed deep and looked comfortable up against the talented Lookman.
– Japhet Tanganga: Played well in an impressive defensive trio, strong on the ball and good in the air.
– Filip Lesniak: Lesniak had a brilliant game in the centre of park, flawless and as efficient as ever, he covered a lot of ground and won the praises of Ehiogu.
– Christian Maghoma: My man of the match, Maghoma made some crucial interventions, was good in the air and was a commanding presence with in the side.
– Ryan Johnson: I was really impressed with the 20 year old trialist, Johnson was composed and read the game well. He also showed a great passing ability.
– Will Miller: Not his usual effective self had a quiet game out wide, failing to make much of an impact.
– Cy Goddard: On a rare start Goddard proved to be one of our best players, very creative in the centre of the park.
– Shilow Tracey: Done well up front, pressed continuously and got into some good positions. Tracey has such a high work rate.
– Marcus Edwards: The Tottenham starlet was one of Spurs’ most creative players, his skilful runs causing the blues problems throughout the game.
– Jaden Brown: Adapted well to playing higher up the pitch, looked good both defensively and offensively.
– Kazaiah Sterling: Made a real impact when coming on as he scored Spurs’ goal, seems to be adapting really well to under 23 football.

My man of the match: Christian Maghoma. Maghoma made some crucial interventions, was good in the air and was a commanding presence with in the side. Maghoma has been in great form over recent matches and is a player who I rate highly.

Everton: Hewelt, Kenny (c), Robinson, Besic (Charsley 46), Feeney, Galloway, Dowell (Henen 84), Walsh, Calvert-Lewin, Williams, Lookman (Sambou 64). Substitutes (not used): Gray (GK), Foulds.

Spurs: Glover, Eyoma, Tanganga, Lesniak (c), Maghoma, Johnson (trialist, Bennetts 77), Miller (Sterling 68), Goddard (Marsh 81), Tracey, Edwards, Brown. Substitute (not used): Whiteman (GK).

Goals: Everton – Lookman 61, Sambou 69, Dowell 75, Calvert-Lewin 87; Spurs – Sterling 72.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Johnson 76.

Attendance: 885.

Spurs under 23’s 4-0 Reading: (match report)

Our under 23’s brushed aside Reading with a 4-0 win on Monday evening, to bolster their chances of beating the drop, in group 1 of the PL2. It was a truly dominant display from Ehiogu’s side, they outclassed the royals from start to finish in what was a great performance. Spurs started the game the brightest of the two teams and four minutes in to the game, Marcus Edwards created Spurs’ first chance of the game. When he slipped through Shilow Tracey with a lovely pass, but Tracey’s attempt at goal was well saved by Reading keeper Southwood. Just eight minutes later Spurs took the lead through Stevenage loanee, Ryan Loft. Reading’s Tyler Frost sprayed a pass across the Reading box, which the alert Loft intercepted as he kept his composure in front of goal to slot the ball home. Not long afterwards, Spurs hit the cross bar when Shilow Traceys’ attempted cross from the left, came bouncing off the top of the crossbar. Spurs were dictating play and were in the driving seat when they doubled their advantage shortly after the half hour mark. First teamer Josh Onomah, darted forward from the left wing before curling a low effort, which managed to squirm past southwood and roll narrowly across the line, half of the stadium hadn’t realised the ball had even crossed the line. Things went from strength to strength for Spurs, when second year scholar Jaden Brown got our third of the game just two minutes later. The young left back letting fly from over 20 yards out, his powerful effort nestling into the bottom right corner of the net, 3-0 to Spurs!

Pau Lopez made an excellent save to deny Reading a way back into the match, the Spanish goalkeeper making a fine reaction save to deny Sam Smith’s effort from close range, after he met Richards’ cross. Onomah was again at the heart of the action, the 19 year old going desperately close to extending Spurs’ lead on the stroke of half time, Onomahs’ lashed effort from the right side of the box whistling past Southwoods’ right post. Our energetic performance didn’t wain during the beginning of the second period, forward Shilow Tracey netted his fifth goal of the campaign to put Spurs 4 ahead in the 54th minute. Marcus Edwards whipped in an inviting corner which the valiant forward met at the far post to head a powerful effort into the back of the net, 4-0 to Spurs. Ehiogu’s side were exploiting Reading’s vulnerabilities with fast attacking football, and just six minutes later Will Miller won Spurs a penalty. The Burton loanee embarked on a mazing run inside the penalty area, the nimble footed forward being brought down unlawfully by Osho, as the referee pointed to the spot. After some debate between Miller, Loft and Edwards on who should take the penalty, Miller stood up to take, but his shot was saved well by Southwood who clutched Millers’ effort low down. Reading pushed for a consolation goal in the remaining minutes of the match and the visitors went close on a couple of occasions. Pau Lopez making a string of impressive saves to ensure Spurs were to keep a clean sheet. The final score Spurs 4-0 Reading, a hugely satisfying evening in Stevenage for Ugo Ehiogu’s side, in what was a top performance from an experienced Spurs 11.

Player review:
– Pau Lopez: Another excellent performance from the on loan Espanyol goalkeeper, made a string of fine saves including two very good ones, he was also very good in the air.
– Joe Muscatt: Defensively solid and assured, Muscatt was very comfortable at right back.
– Jaden Brown: A great performance from the young left back, Brown was excellent defensively and he capped of a great night with his first goal at this level.
– Filip Lesniak: As always, very efficient and tidy Lesniak mopped up any danger with in the centre of the park.
– Christian Maghoma: A good performance from the tall centre back, Maghoma was solid and paired up very nicely with Carter-Vickers.
– Cameron Carter-Vickers: On only his second under 23 appearance of the season, the young first teamer put in an exceptional performance at centre half. Commanding and assured, the American won all of his aerial duels and didn’t give the Reading forwards much chance of getting past.
– Marcus Edwards: A good performance from the highly regarded youngster, he put in an impressive display in what was only his second competitive performance in four months. Edward also registered an assist, and showed great vision throughout the match.
– Josh Onomah: The best player on the field, Onomah was tenacious in the centre of the park, winning the ball on many occasions. However, it was his offensive qualities that were so impressive, he drove forward with such ease and was so creative, Onomah registered a goal and an assist.
– Shilow Tracey: A player who has really stood out in the second part of this season, Tracey put in a great shift. His high pressing and runs earned him a well deserved goal.
– Will Miller: A fairly quite performance from the winger, but he done really well to win a penalty midway through the second half, and was unlucky not to convert from the spot.

My man of the match: Without a doubt Josh Onomah was tenacious in the centre of the park, winning the ball on many occasions. However, it was his offensive qualities that were so impressive, he drove forward with such ease and was so creative, Onomah registered a goal and an assist.
Spurs: Pau Lopez, Muscatt, Brown, Lesniak (c, Stylianides, 81), Maghoma, Carter-Vickers, Edwards, Onomah, Loft (Pritchard 81), Tracey (Goddard 67), Miller. Substitutes (not used): Glover (GK), Owens.

Reading: Southwood, Osho (Holmes 66), Dickie (c), Hyam, Richards, Holsgrove, Frost, Rinomhota, Smith, Quinn (Loader 27), Barrett (Medford-Smith 66). Substitutes (not used): Driscoll (GK), East.

Goals: Spurs – Loft 12, Onomah 31, Brown 33, Tracey 54.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Onomah 47.