Wayne Burnett’s Spurs Under 23 side played their first competitive away game of the 2021/22 season on Monday afternoon, as they took on newly promoted Leeds United at their Thorp Arch training ground in the Premier League 2. Spurs won what was a fantastic game of football 4-2 and played very well throughout, but it was a really end to end game which could have went either way. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Kallum Cesay, captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Tobi Omole and Marcel Lavinier lined up in front of him. Matthew Craig and Harvey White started in central midfield, and Nile John and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Dilan Markanday once again led the line for Spurs after his excellent performance against Chelsea. Spurs got the game underway on a sunny afternoon in Yorkshire, but after former Leeds player Jack Clarke conceded a free-kick in a promising position, Leeds had an early chance to take the lead. However, Sam Greenwood’s resulting effort went over Oluwayemi’s crossbar. After Clarke lost the ball Lewis Bate played a brilliant through-ball towards Joe Geldhart, but after entering the Spurs box his low effort was saved relatively comfortably by Oluwayemi. Amari Miller then hit an effort wide from the the left side of the Spurs box, before Charlie Cresswell headed wide from Lewis Bate’s corner kick.

After connecting with Greenwood’s cross Joe Geldhart forced a save out of Oluwayemi, before the Spurs goalkeeper then accidentally gave the ball to Sean McGurk. However, the former Wigan player took his effort quickly and it was saved by Oluwayemi, who then tipped behind an effort from the same player moments later. Oluwayemi gathered Joe Geldhart’s header from the resulting corner kick, before Lyons-Foster cleared away Liam McCarron’s cross, and then the impressive Lewis Bate hit an effort wide from distance. Geldhart had an effort deflected just wide of the Spurs goal from the edge of their box, as Leeds continued to cause Spurs problems. However, after Spurs won a corner kick the visitors took a slightly unexpected lead. Harvey White’s fine delivery from the corner came down for Dilan Markanday, who controlled the ball well before turning and hitting a powerful and simply unstoppable low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the Leeds goal, 1-0. After receiving Markanday’s pass Nile John went forward with the ball down the right flank, but the ball then ended up coming to Kallum Cesay inside the Leeds box, but his effort on goal was tipped behind by Leeds goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson. After Greenwood received Geldhart’s cross inside the Spurs penalty area the former Arsenal player chested the ball down for Lewis Bate, but his first time effort went over Oluwayemi’s goal.

After latching onto Harvey White’s header Dilan Markanday received the ball with his back to the Leeds goal. The Spurs forward then worked his way around Charlie Cresswell and Jack Jenkins with some spectacular skill, before then entering the Leeds penalty area (down the left side of their box) and hitting an unstoppable effort into the roof of their goal, 2-0. An excellent ball over the top of the Leeds defence from Harvey White then set Markanday through on goal, shortly after the restart. Markanday went into the Leeds box before eventually having a shot on goal, but Liam McCarron had got back really well to make a sliding block at the last moment as Spurs won a corner kick. Leeds got a goal back shortly afterwards after Greenwood received Lewis Bate’s pass out on the right flank. Greenwood then crossed the ball really well for Joe Geldhart to latch onto inside the Spurs box, and his effort on the volley went into the Spurs goal, despite the very best efforts of Lyons-Foster on the line, 2-1. After Devine had won a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds box, Harvey White saw his effort hit the Leeds wall, before then seeing his follow up effort also blocked. After receiving the ball on the left side of the Spurs box, Amari Miller saw his effort go over the Spurs goal, after Spurs had lost the ball in midfield. However, after Cesay brought down Miller from behind inside the Spurs box, Leeds were awarded a penalty. And Sam Greenwood then stepped up to hit the ball into the left hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 2-2.

After Harvey White had made a strong challenge there was a bit of a coming together between both sets of players, but the situation was calmed down quite quickly, and in the end Harvey White was shown a yellow card. Before the half was up Nile John, who had been growing into the game managed to latch onto a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, he then eventually slipped the ball into the feet of Markanday inside the Leeds box. Markanday then skilfully worked his way around Kristoffer Klaesson before slotting home, 3-2. Harvey White then had an effort from distance saved by Klaesson before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. Leeds got the second half underway, and an early back pass from Nohan Kenneh to Klaesson was deemed by the referee to have been a back pass, resulting in a Spurs free-kick just inside the Leeds box. Devine laid the ball off to Clarke, whose powerful first time effort went wide of the Leeds goal. After having an effort blocked Leeds substitute Crysencio Summerville then saw his low cross from the right flank tipped away by Oluwayemi well. A good Spurs move at the opposite end of the pitch ended in Cesay finding Devine with a pass into the centre of the Leeds box, but the midfielders effort went narrowly wide of the Leeds goal. Tobi Omole then did really well to block Summerville’s effort on the line, before Oluwayemi was then unable to gather Amari Miller’s cross from the left, but then was able to make a spectacular save moments later. Oluwayemi doing really well to tip Geldhart’s brilliant effort from the edge of the Spurs box onto his crossbar.

Lyons-Foster cleared away the lively Lewis Bate’s cross, before John advanced forward with the ball, showing good pace before winning a free-kick in a good position. However, Clarke’s resulting effort was was blocked by the Leeds wall, and he was replaced by Romaine Mundle shortly afterwards. Oluwayemi then saved Geldhart’s effort on goal well, before gathering the ball bravely at the feet of Greenwood. The very busy Joshua Oluwayemi then punched away a Leeds free-kick, before Spurs got their fourth goal of the game. Matthew Craig passed the ball to Nile John, who worked his way past a Leeds player on the edge of their box before finding the bottom right hand corner of their goal with a brilliant curling effort, 4-2. Shortly after the game got started again Mundle cut inside from the left flank before hitting a low effort which was saved by Klaesson. Lyons-Foster then headed over Harvey White’s corner kick, before Yago Santiago came on to replace Dilan Markanday. After receiving the ball down the left hand side of the Spurs box, Sam Greenwood hit the ball well over the Spurs goal in what was the final piece of action of the game. Spurs will be looking to continue their really good start to the season when they host Arsenal at Hotspur Way on Friday.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: Making a number of impressive and very important saves throughout the game, goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi got better as the game went on, and he made some really important and impressive saves, with the very best one being the one to push Joe Geldhart’s excellent effort onto his crossbar in the second half.
• Kallum Cesay: Making his competitive Under 23 debut Kallum Cesay got forward well down the right flank and he did well to create a good chance for Alfie Devine, who came very close to scoring from that chance.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The Spurs captain had a very good game in central defence, in my opinion. Lyons-Foster made some really good clearances, kept really fine positioning throughout and also really impressed with his excellent distribution out of defence.
• Tobi Omole: Playing alongside Lyons-Foster on the left side of defence, Tobi Omole made some important defensive interventions and he also had a calming effect on the game from central defence.
• Marcel Lavinier: Playing at left-back for this game Marcel Lavinier liked to get forward and try and link up with winger Jack Clarke on the left flank.
• Matthew Craig: It was a very hardworking performance once again as the deepest of the two midfielders by Scotland youth international Matthew Craig. He worked well alongside the more experienced Harvey White, was good on the ball and also got the assist for Nile John’s late goal.
• Harvey White: Showing real craft and tenacity in midfield, I thought that Harvey White performed excellently well as a number eight. The midfielder got the two assists for Dilan Markanday’s first two goals, before then creating a brilliant chance for Markanday shortly afterwards with a great pass on his weaker right foot. Pressing the opposition players well throughout the game, the 19 year old made a real impression on the match from central midfield in both a defensive and forward thinking way.
• Nile John: Starting off on the right flank before gradually playing a lot more central as the game went on, Nile John got a first half assist before later doing really well to score his first goal of the season. John went on some really clever forward runs with the ball, and he made a really good impression on the game in the second half.
• Alfie Devine: The CAM worked tirelessly off the ball and his positioning on the day was good, and he came very close to scoring his first goal of the season with a low effort in the second half.
• Jack Clarke: Playing out on the left wing Jack Clarke didn’t get on the ball in forward positions a lot during his time on the pitch, as Spurs seemed to focus more on playing the ball down the right flank. He did however, work very hard for the team.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Romaine Mundle: The second half substitute took up a position on the left flank, worked hard and also had an effort saved by Klaesson.
• Yago Santiago: The late substitute went on one clever and skilful run down the right flank during his time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday was absolutely unstoppable against Leeds today, and his determination to make a difference really did make the difference for Spurs on the day. Markanday took all three of his goals excellently well, showing great skill on all three occasions, and his movement off the ball was very good throughout his time on the pitch. I’m really hoping that he is involved in the Spurs first team squad for their match on Thursday.

Spurs’ Under 18 side took on Chelsea on Saturday morning at Hotspur Way, in what was Spurs’ first home league game of the season. Spurs Under 18’s head coach Stuart Lewis saw his side lose 7-2 on the day, but the scoreline didn’t entirely reflect how the game went, and key decisions on the day did go against Spurs. Spurs lined up with Adam Hayton in goal, while a back four consisting of Maxwell McKnight, captain Alfie Dorrington, Will Andiyapan and Jordan Hackett lined up in front of him. Dante Cassanova and Rio Kyerematen started in central midfield, and Jamie Donley and Riley Owen started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Khalon Haysman. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway and it was an even start to the game. After Jaden Williams had won the ball off of Joshua Tobin he played the ball through to Khalon Haysman down the left hand side of the Spurs box, but Haysman’s effort went just wide of the Chelsea goal. Hackett made a good and important challenge on Leo Castledine inside the Spurs box, before Haysman had an effort on goal blocked behind for a Spurs corner kick. Haysman had another effort blocked a couple of moments later, this time by Alfie Gilchrist. Dante Cassanova had an effort on goal blocked before at the other end of the pitch he cleared Lewis Hall’s low cross, after the Chelsea player had gone on a really good forward run.

It was a really end to end game, and after the lively Jamie Donley had an effort on goal blocked, Spurs’ Adam Hayton had to make his first save of the game to stop Lewis Hall from finding the back of the net, from the edge of the Spurs box. A good Chelsea move however, ended in them scoring their first goal of the game. After Brodi Hughes found Ronnie Stutter on the left hand side of the Spurs box he found the right hand corner of the Spurs goal, 0-1. Hayton did well to tip over Jimi Tauriainen’s effort from a Chelsea free-kick before Jordan Hackett did well to block Ronnie Stutter’s effort inside the Spurs box. Hayton was again called in to action a couple of minutes later, firstly to push away Lewis Hall’s effort, before then saving Jimi Tauriainen’s effort on the follow up. However, after Alfie Dorrington was deemed to have fouled Edwin Andersson by tripping him, after he had entered the Spurs box, the referee pointed straight to the spot. Lewis Hall hit his following penalty kick into the roof of Adam Hayton’s goal, 0-2. Dorrington recovered well by blocking an effort from the Chelsea goalscorer shortly after the game got underway again, before Edwin Andersson hit an effort well over the Spurs goal. Brodi Hughes hit an effort wide of the Spurs goal from out on the right flank, before Spurs then won a penalty of their own, after Donley was tripped down the right hand side of the Chelsea box by Billy Gee.

Donley stepped up to calmly find the bottom right hand corner of the Chelsea goal, 1-2. Haysman saw his effort deflected over the Chelsea goal, and then shortly before half-time Donley received Owen’s pass inside the Chelsea box, but his low effort was well tipped behind by Chelsea goalkeeper Teddy Curd. Chelsea got the second half underway and Andiyapan came close to drawing Spurs level, after his headed effort from Cassanova’s cross went just over the Chelsea goal. However, Chelsea were awarded another penalty after McKnight had in the referees view fouled Richard Olise inside the Spurs box. It was a controversial moment in the game, but it was also a decisive one as Lewis Hall found the right hand corner of Hayton’s goal from his effort, 1-3. Alfie Dorrington received a yellow card before Ronnie Stutter squared the ball to Jimi Tauriainen from the left flank, and he finished past Hayton inside the Spurs box, 1-4. Williams forced a save out of Teddy Curd, before Hayton stopped Edwin Andersson’s effort from going in at the other end of the pitch. Spurs’ day got even worse after Jamie Donley was shown a straight red card after making a strong challenge to try and win the ball off of Jimi Tauriainen. Thomas Bloxham came on to replace Riley Owen, and then a couple of moments later Leo Castledine curled over a free-kick.

The impressive Adam Hayton saved Edwin Andersson’s effort on goal, before Jaden Williams hit the post with a powerful effort from just outside the Chelsea box.  Spurs made another change as Roshaun Mathurin came on to replace Maxwell McKnight, but just before that Kyerematen blocked Leo Castledine’s effort on goal impressively. The newly introduced Roshaun Mathurin soon started making an impact, and after going on a surging forward run (after latching onto Will Andiyapan’s clearance) from inside the Spurs half he found the bottom left hand corner of the Chelsea goal, from the edge of their penalty area, 2-4. However, any chance of Spurs getting back into the game was ended after Chelsea made it 5-2 shortly after the match was restarted. Substitute Malik Mothersille managed to get past Andiyapan after showing good pace, and later Hayton inside the Spurs box, before slotting home, 2-5. William Andiyapan was then replaced by Brandon Bryan-Waugh. Haysman hit an effort over the Chelsea crossbar from quite far out, and then Brandon Bryan-Waugh did really well to block Malik Mothersille’s effort off the line, from inside the Spurs box, before Hayton then made yet another save. Leo Castledine’s deflected effort went just wide of the Spurs goal, before Derrick Abu’s brilliant effort from distance beat Hayton to make it 2-6.

The creative Roshaun Mathurin had an effort saved by Teddy Curd, before Edwin Andersson connected with a cut back inside the Spurs box, but his effort went over the crossbar. Edwin Andersson then found the roof of the Spurs net from inside the Tottenham box, to make it 7-2 to Chelsea. Richard Olise then curled just over from close range, before Mathurin had an effort on goal blocked, and then Williams curled an effort wide of the Chelsea goal. The final whistle went shortly afterwards. Spurs’ next game is away to Birmingham City, next Saturday.

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: The Spurs goalkeeper made a big number of saves against Chelsea, and in all truth I don’t think that you could say that any of the Chelsea goals could have been kept out by Hayton. He played well.
• Maxwell McKnight: Playing at right-back for this game, Maxwell McKnight liked to get forward and in total he completed 75 minutes of the game.
• Alfie Dorrington: The Spurs captain made a number of good blocks on the day.
• Will Andiyapan: My man of the match, see below.
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back went forward well on occasions and made some good challenges during the first half.
• Dante Cassanova: Dante Cassanova operated as the deepest Spurs midfielder throughout the match.
• Rio Kyerematen: Showing some good skill on the ball and getting forward when he could, Rio Kyerematen completed the whole of Saturday’s match. 
• Jamie Donley: Starting the game out on the right flank, Jamie Donley was lively, inventive and hardworking during his time on the pitch, and after doing well to win a penalty (which he scored from) he also came close to scoring a second goal. Unfortunately he was sent off during the second half, in what was a controversial moment in the game.
• Khalon Haysman: The CAM tried his best to influence the game, and he tried his luck on goal on numerous occasions.
• Riley Owen: Playing out on the left flank during his time on the pitch, Riley Owen was replaced during the second half by Thomas Bloxham.
• Jaden Williams: Leading the line for the second consecutive game, Jaden Williams in my opinion led the line well, and he was unlucky not to score late on in the game.
• Thomas Bloxham: The second half substitute mainly played out on the left flank.
• Roshaun Mathurin: Very creative when he came on, Roshaun Mathurin scored a well taken goal, and he always looked potent whenever he received the ball near to the Chelsea penalty area.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The late substitute made one really good late block to prevent a certain Chelsea goal.

My man of the match: Will Andiyapan. Playing as a left-sided central defender in a back four during his time on the pitch, first year scholar Will Andiyapan was without doubt Spurs’ best player on the day. The Wales youth international made some really good tackles, read the game well and showed some really good pace on occasions. He also got the assist for Roshaun Mathurin’s goal, but this was a strong performance from the Watford born player, despite the scoreline.

Spurs’ Under 23 side got their Premier League 2 season underway on Monday evening at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium, when they hosted 2020/21 Division One runners up Chelsea. Wayne Burnett’s side were in my opinion the better team during the match and they were very unlucky not to win it, as it ended 2-2. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while Marcel Lavinier, captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Ryan Sessegnon formed the back four. Matthew Craig and Harvey White teamed up in central midfield, and Romaine Mundle and J’Neil Bennett started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Dilan Markanday led the line for Spurs. Chelsea got the game underway on a sunny evening in Hertfordshire, and a good early move for the away side saw them get into quite a promising position. However, the move ended with Bryan Fiabema having a low effort saved by Spurs’ goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi, from the edge of the Spurs box. Malachi Fagan-Walcott then did well to stop Charlie Webster from going into the Spurs penalty area, before Dilan Markanday impressively went past a couple of Chelsea players before passing the ball to J’Neil Bennett on the left flank. Bennett then crossed the ball for Devine, whose headed effort was well tipped over the crossbar by Chelsea goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom.

From the following corner kick which was taken by Harvey White, the ball eventually ended up falling for Alfie Devine, who hit the ball over the Chelsea crossbar, in what was a difficult chance for the former Wigan Athletic player. Romaine Mundle had an effort blocked behind off a Chelsea defender from J’Neil Bennett’s cross, before a good ball over the top of the Chelsea defence from Harvey White ended up coming to Dilan Markanday who then entered the Chelsea penalty area, but didn’t have any teammates in support. However, a couple of moments later and after Spurs couldn’t clear the ball and it ended up deflecting off of Chelsea player Dion Rankine, the ball came to Harvey Vale, who was brought down by Oluwayemi, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. From the resulting penalty kick Harvey Vale’s powerful effort went just beyond Oluwayemi and into the back of the net, 0-1. Shortly after the game was restarted Bashir Humphreys blocked Romaine Mundle’s effort inside the Chelsea box, before Devine won the ball off of George Nunn and brought the ball forward before forcing a good save from Lucas Bergstrom. Bennett then came inside from the left flank before seeing his fine curling effort on goal saved well by the Chelsea goalkeeper. Bennett then had an effort blocked shortly afterwards.

From a Harvey White free-kick defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott had a headed effort on goal saved by Bergstrom, before seeing a following effort from another Harvey White free-kick go just wide of the Chelsea goal. Lyons-Foster cleared away Charlie Webster’s effort on goal, while Spurs then went forward down the other end of the pitch, with Harvey White whipping a promising cross right in front of the Chelsea goal. Spurs continued to play really well, and after Lavinier headed behind J’Neil Bennett’s cross, Spurs fell further behind after Chelsea got their second goal of the game. A loose pass was latched onto by Harvey Vale, who went on a surging forward run before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 0-2. After Markanday was fouled on the edge of the Chelsea box Harvey White stepped up to whip a low effort towards goal. His effort was saved by Bergstrom, with the ball coming to Lyons-Foster, and although he managed to find the back of the net, one of the linesmen had his flag up to rule it out for offside, in what was the final piece of action from the first half. Spurs got the second half underway and the second half got off to a great start for Wayne Burnett’s side, who got a goal back on 48 minutes. A really nice pass from Devine found Marcel Lavinier, who then slipped the ball into the feet of Markanday down the left side of the Chelsea box. And Markanday did well to get the ball beyond the Chelsea goalkeeper and into the goal, 1-2.

A good cross from Lyons-Foster was cleared before Lavinier made an important defensive intervention inside his own penalty area. Oluwayemi saved Charlie Webster’s effort before Spurs equalised through J’Neil Bennett. After receiving Alfie Devine’s pass out on the left flank Bennett came inside onto his right foot and curled a really good effort beyond Lucas Bergstrom and into the far corner of the goal, 2-2. Yago Santiago came on to replace Romaine Mundle, and soon after he came on and received the ball and went forward he had an effort saved by Bergstrom, who then saved a deflected effort from Bennett soon afterwards. The constantly impressive Alfie Devine won the ball in central midfield before travelling forward with the ball and passing it to Bennett, who had an effort blocked behind for a corner kick. Markanday hit over an effort from a Harvey White free-kick before Lyons-Foster had an effort from distance saved. The creative Harvey White then managed to find Markanday down the right side of the Chelsea box, but he was fouled by Bergstrom, resulting in a penalty for Spurs. Harvey White’s effort from the resulting penalty kick was saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper, before then being cleared away.

A lofted pass from Michael Craig found former Chelsea player Marcel Lavinier inside the Chelsea box, but his effort was saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper. A late Spurs substitution saw Rafferty Pedder replace Dilan Markanday, before the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t actually have an awful lot to do on Monday night. He did make some important but fairly routine saves and he came close to saving the penalty kick that he conceded, but he could have done nothing to prevent Harvey Vale’s second goal of the game.
• Marcel Lavinier: Making some strong defensive interventions and also joining the forward players well when going forward, I thought that the right-back who later switched to left-back had a good game. Lavinier got the assist for Markanday’s goal.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The Spurs captain started the game at RCB alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott, before then starting the second half at right-back, where I thought that he did well.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: Playing at left-sided centre-back for this game, the 19 year old kept good positioning in my opinion and he came close to scoring in the first half.
• Ryan Sessegnon: The Spurs first team player got 45 minutes at left-back to help build up his fitness after missing a lot of pre-season because of injury.
• Matthew Craig: The deepest of the two central midfielders, Matthew Craig was tigerish in midfield, and he kept the ball moving in the central areas well.
• Harvey White: It was a very good and creative performance from Harvey White in central midfield against Chelsea. The 19 year old created numerous chances and his set-pieces were very good against Chelsea. He was however, unlucky to miss his late penalty kick.
• Romaine Mundle: The winger operated out on the right flank and he linked up well with right-back Marcel Lavinier during his time on the pitch.
• Alfie Devine: Making some really clever passes from the CAM role, moving really well off the ball and also working really hard for the team. Alfie Devine was involved in the build up to both of Spurs’ goals against Chelsea, and I thought that he was influential throughout the match. 
• J’Neil Bennett: Constantly going on good forward runs down the left flank, unpredictable winger J’Neil Bennett had a really fine game for Spurs. The scorer of an excellently taken goal, Bennett could have scored more goals on the another day.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match. See below.
• Marqes Muir: The centre-half came on to replace Ryan Sessegnon for the second half, and he did well alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott. 
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute had an effort on goal saved soon after he entered the pitch.
• Rafferty Pedder: N/A.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. Starting the game as a centre-forward Dilan Markanday (19) impressed with his movement off the ball and the really hardworking player showed some tremendous skill to go past Chelsea players as if they weren’t even there on occasions. He took his goal really well from a difficult angle and he also won a penalty kick late on in the match. This was an excellent performance from Markanday, who later operated out on the right flank towards the end of Monday’s game.

Spurs’ Under 23 side played their final pre-season friendly on Saturday when they faced National League side Barnet FC at The Hive Stadium. Wayne Burnett’s side recorded a 1-1 draw with Barnet on the day, in what was probably a fair result. Spurs started the match with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Marcel Lavinier, Maksim Paskotši, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Dennis Cirkin lined up in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster started the game as a number four, while Harvey White started the game as a number eight, and Alfie Devine a number ten. Dilan Markanday and Romaine Mundle started the game out on the flanks and J’Neil Bennett led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway at The Hive Stadium, but it was the home side who had the first real chance of the game. Barnet’s number seven (the team-sheet had no numbers on it) headed wide number ten’s free kick, before Marcel Lavinier came close to latching onto Alfie Devine’s lofted pass at the other end of the pitch. The Barnet goalkeeper, who was often positioned quite high on the pitch, would come out to clear the ball just in time before Lavinier could get to the ball. Shortly afterwards and this time inside the Spurs penalty area Lavinier had to block number seven’s effort on goal, before Markanday blocked the same players effort on the follow up.

Markanday had a deflected effort saved by the Barnet goalkeeper, and then after winning the ball on the left flank and surging forward, Romaine Mundle forced a save from the Barnet goalkeeper. A Barnet throw-in which was headed towards Joshua Oluwayemi’s goal by their number five went just wide of the Spurs goal after coming off of a Spurs player last. After Devine had played a quick one-two with Markanday, the Spurs midfielder brought the ball towards the edge of the Spurs box, before being fouled and brought down by number four. Harvey White’s resulting free-kick came off the Barnet wall before going wide. Oluwayemi tipped over a cross from Barnet’s right-back, before he then gathered a cross from their left-back. At the back post inside the Spurs box, and after connecting with number three’s cross, Barnet’s number ten clipped an effort wide of the Spurs goal. After playing the ball down the right to Dilan Markanday on the right flank, the Barnet born player showed some good skill on the ball inside the Barnet box. He then tried to square the ball to Harvey White, but his pass was intercepted and then cleared. After receiving Dilan Markanday’s pass on the edge Barnet box Harvey White curled a first time effort with his weaker foot just wide of the goal. A couple of minutes later Mundle received Devine’s back-heeled pass on the left flank. He then traveled forward with the ball before coming inside onto his right foot in the Barnet box and curling an effort narrowly wide of the goal.

A long kick forward from Spurs goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi was brought down and controlled well by Markanday on the right flank. He then advanced forward with the ball before trying his luck on goal. However, his effort was saved by the Barnet goalkeeper, but Mundle was there to slot home on the follow up, 1-0. The home side got the second half underway and an early penalty appeal from Markanday was turned down by the referee, before Harvey White hit an effort over from long range. Barnet’s number ten then squared the ball to their trialist centre-forward after getting beyond Dennis Cirkin down the right flank. The Barnet centre-forward finished with a first time effort into the bottom right hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal from inside the Spurs box, 1-1. The alert Brooklyn Lyons-Foster did well to make a block from number 20’s effort, before the Barnet player hit the ball wide of the goal from the edge of the box on the follow up, and then Malachi Fagan-Walcott blocked another Barnet effort on goal. Spurs then made a whole number of changes as Romaine Mundle, J’Neil Bennett, Maksim Paskotši, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Dennis Cirkin were replaced by Yago Santiago, Max Robson, Rafferty Pedder, Marqes Muir and Matthew Craig respectively. 

Soon after the game started again Marqes Muir made an important block, before Malachi Fagan-Walcott headed clear a long Barnet throw-in. Spurs made two more substitutions as Michael Craig and Thimothée Lo-Tutala came on to replace Alfie Devine and Joshua Oluwayemi respectively. The impressive Marqes Muir did well to clear a cross from Barnet’s right-back, with the ball then coming to a Barnet player on the edge of the Spurs box, but Fagan-Walcott was able to clear his resulting effort. Yago Santiago’s low but powerful effort from the edge of the Barnet box was saved really well by their goalkeeper. Muir then headed wide from Harvey White’s corner kick before Spurs made their final change of the game as Jeremy Kyezu came on to replace Dilan Markanday at left-back. Number 19 hit a deflected effort wide, and then a couple of minutes after Muir anticipated a Barnet forward move well to make a really important challenge on their number 20 inside the Spurs box, to win the ball and then get it clear. After Harvey White played a clever one-two with Santiago he whipped an effort towards the Barnet goal from the edge of their box, but the goalkeeper made a fine reaction save to tip the ball behind. The final bit of action from the game came from a deflected Harvey White cross which fell to Fagan-Walcott inside the Spurs box, but his volleyed effort on the turn went wide. Spurs get their Premier League 2 season underway on Monday the 16th of August, when they host Chelsea at the Lamex Stadium.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t actually have a lot to do today, but I thought that he dealt well with crosses into his box.
• Marcel Lavinier: It was another solid performance from the 20 year old right-back, who made some important blocks, got forward well and also read the game well. 
• Maksim Paskotši: Playing at RCB the Estonia international formed a good defensive partnership with Malachi Fagan-Walcott on the day, in my opinion.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: Good in the air and always alert in defence, LCB Malachi Fagan-Walcott put in a good defensive performance against Barnet. 
• Dennis Cirkin: Playing at left-back Dennis Cirkin liked to get forward a lot down the left flank during his time on the pitch.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The deepest of the three Spurs midfielders liked to get on the ball and he also made an important block during the second half. I thought that he did well.
• Harvey White: A player who I thought grew in to the game as it went on, Spurs’ number eight Harvey White was playing in a more advanced midfield position than usual today.
• Dilan Markanday: Starting the game out on the right flank as a winger, Dilan Markanday went on some tricky forward runs and he showed good skill on the ball, and was always looking to go forward with it. Markanday created our goal before later filling in at left-back for a short time.
• Alfie Devine: The most advanced of the three midfielders worked hard and often dropped deep to get on the ball. His standout moment came from his fine run towards the edge of the Barnet box, before being fouled and winning a free-kick in the first half.
• Romaine Mundle: Starting out on the left-wing against Barnet, the scorer of our only goal of the game also went on some good forward runs.
• J’Neil Bennett: Playing out of position as a centre-forward, the 19 year old winger tried his best even though he wasn’t playing in his usual position.
• Yago Santiago: The midfielder occupied the left flank during some of the second half, and he came close to finding the goal on one occasion.
• Max Robson: Replacing J’Neil Bennett up front, midfielder Max Robson worked hard off the ball but didn’t have much service.
• Rafferty Pedder: The midfielder went out to play on the right flank during his time on the pitch.
• Marqes Muir: My man of the match, see below.
• Matthew Craig: After replacing Lyons-Foster, Matthew Craig came on to play as the deepest midfielder. 
• Michael Craig: Michael Craig came on to partner his twin brother Matthew in central midfield during the second half.
• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t have much to do after coming on.
• Jeremy Kyezu: The defender came on late in the game to play at left-back. 

My man of the match: Marqes Muir. Although he only came on in the 63rd minute of the game I thought that the centre-half (he played at RCB) performed really well after coming on. Making an important clearance, block and challenge, the composed defender also won all of his headers, and he was always alert. Muir has been very impressive in pre-season for Wayne Burnett’s side.