Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, on Thursday evening, at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium. Stuart Lewis’ Spurs side won 5-1, in what was a really good team performance, against a good Ipswich side. Luca Gunter started in goal. Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett, started in defence. Han Willhoft-King and Rio Kyerematen started in midfield, while Maxwell McKnight and Tyrese Hall started out on the flanks, either side of CAM and captain Alfie Devine. Jaden Williams returned to lead the line for Spurs. Ipswich got the game underway. An early but hugely important challenge from recent Spurs signing Charlie Sayers, on on the edge of the Spurs box on Ipswich player Gerrard Buabo, stopped a promising move from Ipswich. Soon afterwards Tyrese Hall whipped a good effort across the face of the Ipswich goal, from the left flank, and then in the sixth minute of the game Spurs took the lead. Maxwell McKnight crossed the ball into the Ipswich box, looking to find teammate Jaden Williams. Williams managed to get to the ball and although his first time effort was saved by goalkeeper Lewis Ridd, the ball came back to the first year scholar, and he hit the ball into the roof of the goal, 1-0.

A good run from Gerrard Buabo, into the Spurs box ended after his low effort was blocked by Charlie Sayers, who was having a good start to the game. Tawanda Chirewa hit an effort over Luca Gunter’s goal, before Albie Armin headed over an Ipswich corner-kick. Spurs doubled their lead a couple of minutes later, as a good move which saw McKnight pass the ball to Willhoft-King inside the Ipswich penalty area, ended with the midfielder passing the ball to Devine. The former Wigan Athletic player skilfully stepped past an Ipswich defender, before calmly hitting the ball low and with accuracy past Lewis Ridd, and into the back of the goal, 2-0. The last chance of the half was for Ipswich, as Jack Manly’s low effort deflected behind off of defender Alfie Dorrington. Spurs got the second half underway. Ipswich centre-forward Ashley Boatswain hit a deflected over on the turn, from the edge of the Spurs box, before some really good defending from Charlie Sayers meant that he ended up stopping Gerrard Buabo from being able to go through on goal.  

Luca Gunter made a good save from an effort inside the Spurs box, before Dorrington cleared a header from a corner-kick, off the Spurs goal line. Tawanda Chirewa hit an effort wide of the Spurs goal, and then Ipswich’s good start to the half saw them get a goal back. Luca Gunter couldn’t gather a headed effort inside the Spurs box, and then shortly afterwards Ashley Boatswain got on the ball and finished well on the turn, 2-1. Spurs responded by making a change, as Dante Cassanova replaced Rio Kyerematen in midfield. Tawanda Chirewa had a low effort saved by Gunter a couple of moments later, before Khalon Haysman replaced Tyrese Hall. Brandon Bryan-Waugh saw his deflected effort go wide of the Ipswich goal, before Spurs made another change, this time seeing Jaden Williams leave the pitch to be replaced by Jez Davies. Jordan Hackett received a yellow card as the game could have went either way. However, a good ball over the top of the Ipswich defence from Alfie Dorrington, resulted in Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Ridd colliding with teammate Edwin Adbaje, allowing Jez Davies to receive the ball inside the Ipswich box, and allow him to just tap the ball into the empty net, 3-1.

Tawanda Chirewa whipped a good effort wide from an Ipswich free-kick, before Brandon Bryan-Waugh fouled Jesse Nwabueze inside the Spurs box, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. However, Luca Gunter made a really good save after diving to his left to stop Tawanda Chirewa’s effort from going in. Spurs made it 4-1 moments later, as Dante Cassanova played a pass into Jez Davies, inside the Ipswich box. Davies very unselfishly passed the ball across to Khalon Haysman, who had his initial effort saved by Lewis Ridd, before finding the back of the goal with his following effort. Ashley Boatswain hit an effort over from inside the Spurs box, and then Spurs made it 5-1, in what turned out to be the final chance of the game. After receiving Maxwell McKnight’s pass inside the Ipswich box, Jez Davies hit a powerful low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the Ipswich goal, 5-1. Spurs will now play West Brom in the fourth round of the competition. They won’t play another game at this level until early in the new year.

Player reviews: 

• Luca Gunter: Making an excellent save from a penalty in the second half, Spurs goalkeeper Luca Gunter also commanded his box well, dealing well with crosses and set-pieces.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: This was a good defensive performance from the right-back. The Spurs defender made some good challenges during the game, and also got forward well on occasions.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right-sided centre-half teamed up well with Charlie Sayers in defence, made a really important headed clearance off the line in the second half, and he was good on the ball and at passing it out from the back. 
• Charlie Sayers: My man of the match, see below.
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back went on some surging runs down the left flank, to help Spurs go forward down that side of the pitch.
• Han Willhoft-King: Going on some nice and skilful runs with the ball, midfielder Han Willhoft-King was reliable with the ball. He was also good off the ball in a defensive sense.
• Rio Kyerematen: The Spurs midfielder worked well with Willhoft-King during his time on the pitch, and like Willhoft-King, Kyerematen went on some good runs forward with the ball.
• Maxwell McKnight: This was a really good performance from the player from Colchester, who was involved in three of Spurs’ goals against Ipswich. McKnight went on some really good runs forward with the ball, made some good passes and tracked back well.
• Alfie Devine: Taking up really good positions all over the pitch, second year scholar Alfie Devine was very good for Spurs against Ipswich. The CAM took his goal so well, but it was his excellent movement off the ball and runs forward, which really helped Spurs. Devine worked really hard to try and influence the game.
• Tyrese Hall: Showing some good skill on the ball from out on the left flank, this was Tyrese Hall’s second ever appearance for Spurs at this level.
• Jaden Williams: Taking his early goal well, Jaden Williams linked-up well with Alfie Devine and also pressed the Ipswich defence well, during his time on the pitch.
• Dante Cassanova: The second half substitute was involved in Spurs’ fourth goal of the game, after going into midfield.
• Khalon Haysman: The second half substitute played out on the left flank, and he got a late and important goal against Ipswich. 
• Jez Davies: The substitute made an excellent impression on the game, after replacing centre-forward Jaden Williams. Davies got two goals and an assist, in what was a very good performance from the second year scholar.

My man of the match: Charlie Sayers. The Spurs defender had in my opinion a very solid game in central-defence. The former Southend United player made two really important defensive interventions during the first half, and the second year scholar also worked really well with Alfie Dorrington. Sayers was assured in defence and kept very good positioning throughout the game.

Spurs’ Under 18 side faced Leicester City at Hotspur Way on Saturday in their latest Premier League South game. Spurs lost the game 3-0, with Leicester creating more chances than the home side on the day. Luca Gunter started in goal for Spurs, while a back four consisting of Brandon Bryan-Waugh, Alfie Dorrington, Charlie Sayers and Jordan Hackett, started in-front of him. Han Willhoft-King and captain Alfie Devine started in midfield, as Maxwell McKnight and Amo-Ameyaw started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Tyrese Hall. Thomas Bloxham led the line for Spurs. Leicester got the game started, and they started the match well. Defender Alfie Dorrington had to make an important block early on, to stop Joe Wormleighton’s effort from testing Luca Gunter inside the Spurs penalty area. Soon afterwards Chris Popov hit a low effort wide of the Spurs goal, after he received a pass from Will Alves inside the Spurs box. At the other end of the pitch Alfie Devine saw his deflected effort from distance go just wide of the Leicester goal. A couple of minutes later Devine set-up Sam Amo-Ameyaw with a good pass. Amo-Ameyaw took the ball into the Leicester box and tried to go past their goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze, but the Leicester goalkeeper managed to gather the ball. 

A good run from Chris Popov down the left side of the Spurs box resulted in him having an effort saved by Gunter. Then at the other end of the pitch, Tyrese Hall turned inside the Leicester penalty area, before having an effort saved by Kelechi Chibueze. Dorrington headed narrowly wide from a free-kick from Thomas Bloxham, and then Maxwell McKnight hit a cross into the Leicester box, which went just wide of the goal. Leicester came very close to taking the lead just before half-time, after Chris Popov entered the Spurs box, before Alfie Dorrington made a superb sliding challenge to stop him from scoring. Then the ball came to Brandon Cover, whose effort was really well saved by Gunter, in what was the final chance of the first half. Oliver Irow replaced Alfie Devine for the start of the second half, which Spurs got underway. Brandon Cover hit an effort wide from the edge of the Spurs box, before a good pass from Jordan Hackett to Oliver Irow inside the Leicester box, resulted in the debutant having a low effort saved by the Leicester goalkeeper. After cutting inside onto his left foot from the right flank, Chris Popov had a good effort saved and later gathered by Luca Gunter. 

A couple of moments after Leicester’s last chance, Chris Popov went down the right hand side of the Spurs box, before having an effort on goal saved well by Gunter. The ball then fell nicely for Will Alves, but Gunter once again made a really fine save to stop him from scoring. However, in the 56th minute of the game Leicester took the lead. Jack Butterfill’s cross wasn’t gathered by Luca Gunter, and the ball came to Chris Popov inside the centre of the Spurs box, and he was able to hit the ball past Gunter and into the back of the goal, 0-1. Soon after the game got started again Popov won the ball of Dorrington in a good position, he then went on a really good run forward, before eventually hitting an effort just wide of the Spurs goal. Brandon Bryan-Waugh had a deflected effort following a corner-kick, go just wide of the Leicester goal, before Renaldo Torraj came on to replace Sam Amo-Ameyaw. Chris Popov whipped home a great effort from a free-kick on the edge of the Spurs box moments later into the top right hand corner of the Spurs goal, 0-2. Then less than six minutes later Chris Popov got his hat-trick to extend Leicester’s lead further. A clinical move on the break from the away side resulted in Chris Popov receiving Henry Cartwright’s pass as he continued forward. Popov eventually took the ball inside the Spurs box, before finishing with a low effort past Gunter, 0-3.

Jahziah Linton replaced Jordan Hackett at left-back, before debutant Tyrese Hall won a free-kick right on the edge of the Leicester box, from which he tested Kelechi Chibueze with a low effort. Leicester substitute Abdullah Javid went on a good run with the ball, late on in the game, before having his effort blocked superbly well by a sliding challenge from Brandon Bryan-Waugh inside the Spurs box. It was to be the final moment of note from the game. Spurs’ final game of this year at this level is on Thursday, when they face Ipswich Town in the third round of this seasons FA Youth Cup, at The Lamex Stadium.

Player reviews:

• Luca Gunter: The Spurs goalkeeper made some really good saves today, to stop Leicester from winning by more than 3-0.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The right-back got up and down the right-flank really well, linked-up well with Maxwell McKnight down that side of the pitch, and was solid defensively. I thought that the first year scholar was one of Spurs’ best players today.
• Alfie Dorrington: The right sided centre-half had a really strong first half, was on the ball a lot and made one superb defensive intervention. 
• Charlie Sayers: The recent Spurs signing from Southend United looked assured in defence on his home debut at this level. He also made some nice passes out from defence.
• Jordan Hackett: Going on some good runs down the left flank, left-back Jordan Hackett used the ball well.
• Han Willhoft-King: My man of the match, see below.
• Alfie Devine: This was the former Wigan Athletic players’ first appearance for the Under 18 side of the season, as he made his first start since returning from injury. Devine played in central-midfield, and during the first half he showed good pace and a real desire to try and influence the game. Devine came close to scoring during the first half and he created a good chance for Sam Amo-Ameyaw. Devine was replaced at half-time.
• Maxwell McKnight: I thought that the winger helped out quite a lot defensively and linked-up well with Bryan-Waugh.
• Tyrese Hall: Playing as the CAM on his debut at this level, Tyrese Hall managed two attempts on target during the game.
• Sam Amo-Ameyaw: The winger had one good chance to score from during his time on the pitch, but the Leicester goalkeeper did well to gather the ball. 
• Thomas Bloxham: Playing out of position during the first half at centre-forward, Thomas Bloxham made some good runs. He later played in central-midfield during the second half.
• Oliver Irow: Another debutant at this level, Oliver Irow came on for the second half. He worked hard and didn’t look out of place at this level.
• Renaldo Torraj: The second half substitute was lively and very direct out on the left flank following his introduction.
• Jahziah Linton: The second half substitute played at left-back during the latter stages of the game, after replacing Jordan Hackett.

My man of the match: Han Willhoft-King. The schoolboy footballer was making only his third competitive appearance at this level on Saturday. Playing as the deepest of the two central-midfielders, Willhoft-King had a good and solid first half alongside Alfie Devine, and then during the second half he improved further. In the second half the midfielder got on the ball more and there were two occasions where he went on some really good and skilful forward runs from midfield. Willhoft-King worked really hard and covered a lot of ground. He had a good game for Spurs, today.

Spurs’ Under 23 side faced Manchester City in the Premier League 2 at Hotspur Way on Saturday afternoon. Wayne Burnett’s side won the game 3-0, in what was an excellent team performance from Spurs, as they managed the game really well on the day. Thimothée Lo-Tutala started once again in goal, while a back four of Marcel Lavinier, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay started in defence. Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and captain Harvey White started in central midfield, and Romaine Mundle and Dilan Markanday started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Jack Clarke led the line for Spurs once again. A Manchester City side which included Cole Palmer, got the game underway in Enfield. Despite the visitors controlling possession during the early stages of the game, Spurs managed to take the lead on nine minutes, through Jack Clarke. A nice threaded pass from Nile John, through to Clarke, resulted in the Spurs forward going forward with the ball, to the edge of the Manchester City penalty area. After showing some good skill Clarke hit a powerful low effort which went past Manchester City goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, and into the back of the goal, 1-0. After Kwaku Oduroh blocked Dilan Markanday’s effort inside the Manchester City box, Markanday managed to win the ball back before trying his luck on goal. However, his effort deflected off of CJ Egan-Riley and onto the crossbar.

Harvey White curled over a free-kick from distance, before at the other end of the pitch defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott made a great and important challenge on Shea Charles, inside the Spurs box. Manchester City continued to see more of the ball than Spurs, but it was Wayne Burnett’s side who were creating the better chances. A through-ball to Dilan Markanday resulted in him taking the ball past the outrushing goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, before skilfully working his way into the Manchester City box. However, after eventually trying an effort on goal it was blocked by a defender. Lo-Tutala saved well from James McAtee’s effort from inside the Spurs box, and then Spurs doubled their lead in the 38th minute of the game. After receiving Dilan Markanday’s pass on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area, Nile John got the ball out of his feet well, before powerfully hitting an unstoppable effort past Cieran Slicker and into the left corner of the goal, 2-0. Thimothée Lo-Tutala made a really important save to get a hand on the ball to stop Kayky from scoring just before half-time. Spurs got the second half underway, and early on in the half Brooklyn Lyons-Foster had a headed effort saved from inside the Manchester City box, after meeting Harvey White’s cross, before being shown a yellow card moments later.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand had a deflected effort go over Lo-Tutala’s goal, before Cole Palmer hit an effort wide. After meeting Harvey White’s free-kick inside the Manchester City box, Malachi Fagan-Walcott had a headed effort saved, before the away side managed to get the ball clear. Dilan Markanday received a yellow card, before a great move from Manchester City resulted in Cole Palmer hitting an effort over from inside the Spurs box. After Markanday had an effort blocked by Romeo Lavia, the ball came to Nile John just outside the Manchester City box, and the Spurs midfielder whipped a delightful effort into the top right hand corner of Cieran Slicker’s goal, 3-0. Marcel Lavinier received a yellow card shortly after the game got back underway, and he was replaced by Matthew Craig soon afterwards. Also being replaced was Romaine Mundle, as Alfie Devine came on as he made his return. Jack Clarke became the latest Spurs player to receive a yellow card, before Kayky hit a deflected effort over the Spurs goal. Nile John received a yellow card, and then Yago Santiago came on to replace defender Tobi Omole. James McAtee hit an effort over the Spurs goal, while Jack Clarke hit an effort wide at the opposite end of the pitch, a couple of minutes later. James McAtee curled an effort wide, before Harvey White received a very late yellow card, as Spurs went on to record a great 3-0 win over the reigning champions of the division.

Spurs’ next competitive game at this level is away to Arsenal on the 17th of December.

Player reviews: 

• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: The Spurs goalkeeper made two really good and important saves during the game, and he also organised the defence really well throughout the game, constantly communicating with them.
• Marcel Lavinier: The right-back had a lot of defensive work to down his side of the pitch, as Manchester City focused a lot on playing down that side of the pitch.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: This was an excellent performance from the 19 year old on the right side of central-defence. Malachi made some important challenges and was always first to the ball throughout the game.
• Tobi Omole: My man of the match, see below.
• Kallum Cesay: The left-back defended well down the left side of the pitch, and he helped to stop Manchester City from having much joy down that side of the pitch.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Teaming up really well again with Harvey White in midfield, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster demonstrated once again his fine reading of  the game, and he made some important interceptions during the game, and he used the ball well. Lyons-Foster dropped back to play in central-defence, after Tobi Omole was substituted late on in the game.
• Harvey White: The Spurs captain made a lot of very important interceptions today, and defensively he was very, very good in midfield. The midfielder read the game well and patrolled the midfield to great effect. He also led by example throughout the match.
• Romaine Mundle: Playing on the right flank the winger kept the ball well, but also did some good defensive work as well.
• Nile John: This was a superb performance from the Spurs CAM Nile John, and I thought that he was alongside Tobi Omole and Malachi Fagan-Walcott, one of our best players. Great on the ball and going on some good forward runs with it, John took both of his goals so well, and he got an assist too. 
• Dilan Markanday: The skilful winger started the match out on the left flank, and he showed his excellent ability to dribble with the ball on numerous occasions. The player who got a first half assist, had a particularly strong first half in my opinion.
• Jack Clarke: The centre-forward for the game took his early goal very well, and the former Leeds United man was strong and skilful on the ball throughout.
• Alfie Devine: The second half substitute half made his return to playing again after being out for a while, and it was great to see the talented midfielder back again.
• Matthew Craig: The second half substitute went to right-back following his introduction.
• Yago Santiago: The late substitute went into midfield following his introduction to the game.

My man of the match: Tobi Omole. The 21 year old centre-half had a very assured game on the left side of central-defence, and the former Arsenal player dealt really well with everything that he faced, alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott in defence. Omole read the game well, was good on the ball and with his distribution and also made some timely challenges and interceptions.