Premier U-18 League 2013-4, 
               Southern Group
       Hotspur Way, Bulls Cross, Enfield
        Saturday 8th February 2014, 11am.

           FULHAM     v      SPURS
        (White/Black)      (All Blue)
            4-3-3            4-3-3

             2(2)             2(2)

Fulham:– Rodak; Sheckleford, Baba, Burgess(C), Evans, Smile, Nabay(Elworthy 60), Sambou, Leacock-McLeod(Redford 65), Roberts, O'Halloran

Scorers:– Roberts 4 pen., O'Halloran 44

Spurs:- McGee, Walker-Peters, Amos, Lesniak, Carter-Vickers, Ogilvie, Oduwa(Miller 75), Winks (C), Akindayini(Harrison 75), Onomah, Georgiou(Sonupe 65).

Unused Sub. - Voss

Scorer:– Akindayini 38, 43

Booked:– McGee 3(Foul)

Ref:– P. O'Hare

It was a wet windy morning at Hotspur Way for the away game against Fulham. Fulham had moved the game from their Motspur Park ground because of a waterlogged pitch although their U-21 side lost to Chelsea on Friday evening. The “home” side started top of the group with the "visitors" in second place thanks to a win over Reading at the same venue in midweek.

Fulham did not provide a teamsheet, but I was able to find it on their site later. Spurs had McGee in goal behind Carter-Vickers and Ogilvie with Walker-Peters at right back and Amos on the left. Lesniak anchored the midfield trio with Onomah and Winks. Akindayini led the line with Oduwa on the right and Georgiou on the left.

Spurs attacked the North end in the first half with the wind behind them but were caught out when O'Halloran was sent through the left channel. McGee came out quickly but was adjudged to have fouled the Fulham striker to concede a penalty and a booking. Roberts stepped up to score from the spot and put the home side into the lead.

Fulham closed down high up the pitch to squeeze Spurs, thus forcing turnovers getting bodies into the area. Their winger fired wide before Akindayini hit a post from Onomah's cross which was put behind for a corner. Winks' corner was headed goal-wards by Carter-Vickers and cleared off the line.

McGee saved a free kick from O'Halloran and a minute later saved from Roberts. Spurs were having difficulty in breaking Fulham down as the defence was quick and hard and supported well by the midfield. Spurs worked an opening for Onomah to get behind and put in a low cross which was not cleared. In the melee that followed the ball was blocked twice before it was forced over the line by Akindayini for the equaliser.

Winks drove wide from a pull back by Akindayini before Onomah got behind the defence again and his cross was met at the near post by Akindayini to score his, and Spurs second. Fulham responded immediately with an attack down the right, when Roberts crossed for O'Halloran to score un-marked in the middle to allow the teams to go in level at half time.

There were no changes for the start of the second half but Fulham dropped deeper defending from the halfway line which allowed Spurs to build from the back. Ogilvie drove forward and fired over with Fulham hitting the bar with a counter attack. From a short corner Winks' ball in was met by Ogilvie who struck the bar with his effort. Winks had a weak effort held by the keeper before Fulham made their first change.

McGee saved from Roberts before Spurs made their first change. Sonupe replaced Georgiou to work the right side with Oduwa moving to the left.

Ogilvie made a great run from his own half into the Fulham area and was tackled from behind but no penalty was awarded. McGee saved from Roberts before Oduwa drew a save from the keeper for a corner. Spurs made a double change in an effort to win the game. Akindayini gave way to Harrison and Oduwa was replaced by Miller on the left.

McGee saved a free kick by Roberts at the expense of a corner as Spurs had most of the possession. However, Fulham had the ball in the net, but the effort was ruled offside. Spurs had the last chance when Winks drew a save from a pass by Lesniak.

Spurs had to work hard to get into this game as Fulham were well organised with solid defending putting pressure on Spurs from front to back. The game was played mostly in the middle third with both sides having good approach play but few chances. In the second half Fulham pulled back allowing Spurs more possession. Fulham wanted to counter but Carter-Vickers and Ogilvie were solid at the back.

The draw allowed West Ham to join Spurs on 40 points, thanks to a win over Aston Villa. Next Saturday Spurs have a home game against Leicester City who beat Norwich 2-1 today. When Spurs played the "Foxes" in November they lost 3-1 away.

Ray

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