|
Courtesy of:- Ray Lo, and the Spurs List.
U-18 Friendly game
Hotspur Way, Bulls Cross
Enfield
Saturday 11th May 2013, 11am
SPURS v WEST HAM
(All White) (Claret/Blue)
4-3-3 4-5-1
1(0) 2(2)
Spurs:– Priestley; Vincent-Young(Brown 58), Ogilvie, A. McQueen(C), Ball, McEneff(Smith 58), D. McQueen, Ward, Lameiras, Miller(Michael-Percil 58), Sonupe(Bush 58)
Unused Sub:- Glover
Scorer:– D. McQueen 68
It was a cold overcast morning for this friendly match against West Ham. Having failed at the death to qualify for the play-offs Spurs U-18s had a free Saturday and gave a run-out for some of the squad while preparing for the U-21 semi-final on Monday at the Lane and next weekend's Copa Amsterdam tournament. Unusually, there was no team-sheet for the game so the Hammers players remain anonymous while it took a little while to identify some of the Spurs players. Hopefully I have the right names for them.
Spurs lined up with Priestley in goal. Alex McQueen joined Ball at the heart of the defence with Vincent-Young at right back and Ogilvie on the left. McEneff anchored the midfield with Ward and Miller alongside him. Lameiras led the line in a central position with Darren McQueen on his right and Sonupe on the left. So a few players were playing in different positions than usual.
Spurs kicked off attacking the West end but took a while to settle unlike the visitors who, while including some young players, looked like they knew each other's game well.
The first chance fell to the visitors who had a shot that flew across the goal. There was good work by by Sonupe on the left who laid off the ball to Lameiras. Lameiras then fed Miller, who weaved his way into the area before striking the near post with his shot. Lameiras had a free kick in a fairly central position, which he kicked over the bar.
The Hammers won a free kick on the edge of the area when the ball came off Ward's arm. The Irons' striker hit the kick over the bar but was given a second chance when the referee ordered a retake for encroachment. This time he hit it low into the left corner of the net to put the visitors into the lead.
With Spurs pushing forward in response they were caught by a quick break that sent the left winger away down the left. He cut inside and curled the ball into the far side of the goal to increase their lead. The Hammers striker had a chance that he fired over before Miller got through to drew a save from the keeper. The keeper saved from Ward at the expence of a corner. Lameiras took the corner to Sonupe at the near post who turned it wide. Priestley saved from their striker before Lameiras curled his effort wide at the end of the half.
There were no changes for the start of the second half after a short break. Spurs sought to put the visitors under pressure and in the first minute Miller fed Ward for a drive that smashed against the crossbar. The Hammers' keeper then saved from Ward and McEneff before Vincent-Young got forward to fire over.
Spurs made four changes at that point with Vincent-Young being replaced by Brown at right back. McEneff was replaced by Smith who went to left back. Ogilvie moved inside to allow Ball to step up into midfield. Michael-Percil replaced Miller on the right and Bush replaced Sonupe on the left. McQueen moved central with Lameiras dropping into the midfield.
Ball was quick to get forward and he lifted his effort over the bar. Lameiras fired over before playing in Bush for a chance that was saved. West Ham countered with a shot that hit the crossbar. McQueen ran onto a through ball and fired it into the body of the keeper who had come out quickly to block. The Spurs striker netted from the rebound to reduce the deficit.
Priestley saved from the striker before the Spurs kept the pressure on for the rest of the game without creating many more chances. Brown made a good run down the right pulling the ball back for the advancing Alex McQueen to fire over. Brown again provided Ball with a chance that he fired over. That was the final effort of the game.
This was a good work out for the squad players and while they did not sparkle they did hit the woodwork twice. The two academy games between the sides were both tight and this was the same. Brown looked good making his second appearance at this level.
This was the last game at Hotspur Way for this season and we were given a DVD of the best goals and saves of the season. The Academy go to Amsterdam for the Copa Amsterdam over the next weekend. I cannot go because it clashes with the Sunderland game and a possible final for the U-21's. The U-21's play Everton at WHL on Monday evening in the semi-final which has to be settled on the night. While Spurs have a good record, Everton are unbeaten in the second phase and beat Newcastle on penalties after extra time, so it will be a tough game.
Ray
Top of page | Back to Youth Team Fixtures Index
|
