Premier U-181 League 2013-4
       Staplewood, Marchwood, Hampshire
      Saturday 24th August 2013, 12 noon

       SOUTHAMPTON    v       SPURS
        (All Red)         (White/Blue)
          4-5-1              4-2-3-1

           0(0)                2(2)

         Will Britt   1  Luke McGee
     Tom Leggett(C)   2  Kyle Walker-Peters
          Will Wood   3  Conor Ogilvie
    Charlie Higgins   4  Filip Lesniak
        Niall Mason   5  Christian Maghoma
        Josh Debayo   6  Cameron Carter-Vickers
      Marcus Barnes   7  Cy Goddard
        Chris Regis   8  Josh Onomah
      Sam Gallagher   9  Daniel Akindayini
       Jake Hesketh  10  William Miller
          Josh Sims  11  Nathan Oduwa

     Harley Willard  12  Anton Walkes
         (7)54Mins       (8)57Mins
       Jake Hallett  13 
      Armani Little  14  Luke Amos
         (8)76Mins       (2)79Mins
        Mark Irvine  15  Anthony Georgiou
         (5)74Mins       (11)83Mins
      Isaac Nehemie  16  Channing Campbell-Young

Scorers:-  
                         Oduwa 30
                         Akindayini 45+1

Booked:-
                         Ogilvie 88(Late)

Coaches:-
       J. Dodd           J. McDermott 

Ref:- C. Arkless
Assistants:- B. Eeles & J. Bungay

Due to heavy traffic on the M25 and the M3 I arrived late for the match. I was told that I hadn't missed anything of interest which was a relief. Staplewood has been under development for some time now. Today's pitch was next to the new Academy complex which is looking good. A lot of balls dropped over the fence just as they did two years ago when the match was played on the other side of the building works.

Spurs lined up with McGee in goal behind Maghoma and Carter-Vickers with Walker-Peters at right back and Ogilvie on the left. Lesniak anchored the midfield with Onomah while Miller was more advanced behind Akindayini up front. On the right was Goddard and Oduwa took the left wing. There were times where Goddard dropped into the midfield and Oduwa came inside to work alongside Akindayini giving a more 4-4-2 look.

Spurs defended the south end in the first half and when I joined the match both sides were attacking at pace using the full backs and tight in the middle of the park. Britt saved from Onomah before Oduwa picked a loose ball in the middle, turned and carried it into the area before scoring with a low finish. Britt gave the ball away to Miller who could only fire wide. Onomah had a weak effort saved by Britt before Southampton went close from a free kick by Wood. As the game went into added time Akindayini played a one two with Oduwa to get into the area and score to the keeper's left.

There were no changes for the start of the second half which continued in the end to end style of the first half, but it was noticeable that Spurs were having more possession. Britt saved from Oduwa early on and Akindayini fired wide. When Akindayini chased a ball over the top, Britt was out quickly getting to the ball first. With the Spurs striker so close, the ball cannoned between the two players before going safe.

Gallagher drove wide before the Saints made the first change replacing the right-sided midfielder. The sub was quickly involved when he provided a cross for Hesketh to turn into the side netting at the far post. It looked like it was in for a moment.

Spurs replaced Onomah with the more defensive Walkes to strengthen the defence. Gallagher shot wide from a corner before McGee had to make a double save.Sims crossed from the right and Willard had his effort saved with the keeper pushing the ball out towards the far post, where Hesketh drove back in, in only for McGee to block again. Regis fired over before he was replaced, and Amos came on for Walker-Peters to play in midfield with Walkes dropping to right back.

Miller got through to the left of the goal and drove a low shot that was wide of the far post. The high tempo of the game was taking its toll on the players and Oduwa came off after a bout of cramp to be replaced by Georgiou who worked both flanks.

Southampton worked the ball down the left and the cross was deflected up onto the arm of Maghoma. With the home players asking for the penalty the ref waited to see if any advantage would fall to the home side before blowing for the spot kick. Gallagher stepped up and drove it inside the left post only to see McGee get a hand to it and keep it out.

Southampton pushed for a late consolation which lead to Ogilvie being shown a yellow card for a couple of late challenges as the visitors saw out the game.

While the first half was very even until the home side were caught out by the loose ball, Spurs looked the better side in the second half. The lanky Oduwa was always a threat on the left and it is good to see Akindayini standing up to the defenders better now. Lesniak again showed great composure defending in front of the back four, which is also looking better, especially Maghoma, who has been shaky in earlier games. Overall the passing is improving and they are beginning to gel as a team. While McDermott says they will be better than last years group they have some way to catch up with them.

Next week the Academy travel to Blackburn who traditionally have a strong youth set up. Blackburn lost to Norwich last week but beat Middlesbrough today 3-2.

Ray

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