Premier Academy U-18 League 2013-4
             Belvoir Drive, Leicester
         Saturday 16th November 2013, 12 noon

           LEICESTER     v      SPURS
         (Blue/White)        (White/Blue)
             4-4-2              4-3-3

              3(1)               1(0)

Leicester:– Team included Miles, Stankevicius, Chilwell, Rowe, King, the rest unknown.

Subs – Unknown

Scorers:– Ogilvie o.g.24, Rowe 40, King 48

Spurs:– Priestley, Campbell-Young(Oduwa 46), Walkes, Onomah, Carter-Vickers, Ogilvie Sonupe(Akindayini 55), Goddard(Winks 46), Miller, Lesniak(C), Georgiou

Unused Sub:- McGee

Scorer:– Georgiou, 86

Ref:– T. Hawkins

What does "The Fox" say? 3-1 to us, that's what!

It was a cold overcast morning in the Midlands for Spurs' trip to Leicester. Spurs were seeking not to lose ground on Fulham. It was lucky I left early for the trip up as there was roadworks at the Leicester junction of the M1, which led to a diversion. As usual Leicester do not provide team sheets for spectators in case scouts try to pinch their players which is strange as scouts are given one when they register with the club.

Spurs started with no recognised striker, leading with William Miller who is not the tallest and the not fully fit Campbell-Young at right back. Harry Winks can only play for 45 minutes as he recovers, and was held back for the second half. Akindayini also started on the bench which means that he is not fully fit as well. Priestley made a rare start in goal behind Carter-Vickers and Ogilvie with Campbell-Young at right back and Walkes on the left. Lesniak anchored the midfield with Goddard and Onomah. Miller led the line with Sonupe on the right and Georgiou on his left.

Spurs defended the Southern end in the first half, and took a while to settle. Without a target man, Spurs spent too much time moving the ball in the middle of the park while the "Foxes" also seemed unsure of themselves. Early on Sonupe got down the right to whip the ball across the face of the home goal and Georgiou was released by Onomah but he took too long before shooting which allowed the keeper to save.

Ogilvie's attempted clearance hit Lesniak and flew over the goal for a Leicester corner. That was in the first five minutes. It took another fifteen before the next chance when Ogilvie strolled forward carrying the ball; slipped a couple of challenges, before drawing a save from the keeper with a twenty yard effort. Unfortunately the centre back did score but at the wrong end. Chiwell played the ball into the near post and with Priestley coming to collect, Ogilvie turned the ball into his own net.

A foul on Georgiou gave Spurs a chance to score. Miller aimed for the near post but saw a defender get across to clear off the line. Leicester began to get on top, pressuring Spurs into mistakes and increased their lead when Rowe scored from a Stankevicius cross approaching half-time. Priestley saved a header and saw another effort fly wide before the break.

Spurs made two changes for the start of the second half. Winks replaced Goddard in midfield and Oduwa replaced Campbell-Young to lead the attack. Walkes moved to right back and Lesniak took over at left back.

Leicester increased their lead early in the half when Spurs lost the ball and Miles got down the left. His cross was beautifully volleyed first time by King into the net.

Lesniak got forward to draw a save from the keeper before Priestley saved a header from a corner. Akindayini came on for Sonupe to lead the attack, allowing Oduwa to switch to the right wing.

Winks played in Akindayini for a chance which he fired over. A Miles corner was headed powerfully goalward at the far post. Priestley made a great save, diving to his right and also saved a free kick minutes later. The home side had one more effort that was wide.

Spurs pulled a goal back with a flowing move starting from Priestley's throw. Oduwa beat two players inside his own half before advancing into the centre and playing the ball to Winks. Harry played in Georgiou on the left who cut inside and drilled the ball into the far corner of the net.

Leicester held out for their second win of the season as Spurs pressed them to try and get at least one more goal.

This was a bad defeat for Spurs as they chased Fulham but they looked a dis-jointed team with the changes they had to make and the "Foxes" deserved their win. The squad is looking thin and in danger of falling away in the race for the championship. Fulham put distance between themselves and Spurs with a 3-1 home win over West Brom. Villa beat Norwich 5-4 and Chelsea beat the gooners 3-0 to close the gap on Spurs.

Next saturday Spurs Academy face the gooners at Hotspur Way. The gooners are having a poor season having dropped to 10th, being overtaken by Leicester on the same points, by a single goal. West Brom are the only side below them. Derby games are always well contested games which the players take seriously.

Ray

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