Premier League 2, Division 1, 2016-17
              Hogwood Park, Finchampstead
            Monday 22nd August 2016, 2pm.

               READING     v      SPURS
            (Blue/White)       (All Yellow)
               4-2-3-1           4-2-3-1

                 1(0)              4(1)

        Jonathan Bond      1     Thomas Glover
         Gabriel Osho      2     Kyle Walker-Peters
            Zac Jules      3     Connor Ogilvie
            Ryan East      4     Luke Amos(C)
         Dominic Hyam      5     Anton Walkes
         Rob Dickie(C)     6     Charlie Owens
           Jack Stacey     7     Marcus Edwards
        Andy Rinomhota     8     Joseph Pritchard
        Dominic Samuel     9     Shayon Harrison
          Josh Barrett    10     William Miller
    Andrija Novakovich    11     Nathan Oduwa

        Axel Andresson    12     Cy Goddard
             (4)55Mins           (8)61Mins
        Luke Southwood    13     Alfie Whiteman
         Jake Sheppard    14     Zenon Stylianides
            (11)51Mins
           Conor Davis    15     Ryan Loft
                                 (10)67Mins
        Harry Cardwell    16     Shilow Tracey
             (9)46Mins           (11)77Mins

Scorers:-
          Rinomhota 73           Edwards 31, 47
                                 Miller 49
                                 Harrison 51

Booked:-
      Sheppard 83(Dissent)       Harrison 82(Foul)
                                 Amos 83(Foul)

Coaches:-
      U. Ehiogu 

Referee:– A. Bromley
Assistants:- D. Austin & M. Ryan
Fourth Official:– R. Cox

It was a cloudy afternoon that became warm and sunny for Spurs' trip to Reading's training ground. Spurs lost their opening game of the season at home to Everton while the hosts beat promoted Arsenal away 2-0. Last season the game was played at Adams Park and ended 1-1 thanks to an equaliser from Will Miller.

Spurs lined up with Glover in goal behind Walkes and Owens who replaced the injured Maghoma. Walker-Peters was at right back and Ogilvie left back. Captain Amos anchored the midfield with Pritchard with Miller ahead of them flanked by Edwards on the right and Oduwa on the left in support of Harrison up front.

Spurs defended the North end in the first half and were put under pressure by the home side from the off. The "Royals" closed Spurs down high up the pitch preventing them from playing out from the back. Spurs still had the first chance when Harrison drew a save from Bond. East fired wide before Amos cleared off the line when a corner was not cleared and Jules drove from the edge of the area. Miller played a one two with Harrison to get into the area but was foiled by Bond.

Spurs were now getting their game together and went in front when Oduwa came inside and played the ball to Edwards. The midfielder moved the ball onto his right foot and fired inside the right post. Edwards then won a free kick just outside the area right of centre which was taken by Harrison. The ball came off the wall and Amos volleyed it against the bar. Harrison laid the ball out to Miller on the left to cut inside and cross for Edwards unmarked ten yards out, but the little midfielder fluffed his kick.

Reading made one change for the start of the second half replacing their striker to give more presence up front, but it was Spurs who showed first. It was Edwards again who picked up the ball on the right; came inside, and hit a low left-footed effort which beat Bond at the far post.

Reading pushed players forward in an attempt to get back into the game but were caught out by a break down the left by Oduwa. He whipped the ball in for the arrival of Miller to fire first time into the far corner. Bond wanted to play the ball long and Harrison closed him down quickly to block his kick. The keeper did not learn his lesson as he again dallied on the ball looking upfield and Harrison was able to challenge him in the six yard box and put the ball in the net for Spurs' fourth.

Reading made more changes as they tried to get something from the game but Miller fired over and had another effort blocked for a corner. With the game won, Spurs began to make changes themselves. First was a forced substitution when Goddard replaced Pritchard after he had a knock. Loft replaced Miller going up front with Harrison dropping deep. Harrison had a shot from the edge of the area that deflected off Loft for a goal kick.

Osho got forward to hit a shot which Glover saved at the expence of a corner. Another Reading attack saw Sheppard cross from the right for Rinomhota to power a header into the net to reduce the arrears. Spurs made their last change bringing on Tracey for Oduwa. Harrison picked up the first booking of the match trying to win the ball. This was followed quickly by Sheppard for aiming abuse at the referee after a foul by Amos who was also booked for the challenge.

Spurs sought to close out the game but Hyam headed over from a cross by Osho. Loft, seeking to make ammends, played in Harrison for a chance having got past the keeper, he took a touch allowing Bond to recover and save. Goddard fed Edwards but Bond saved his effort in the last minute. There was still time for Rinomhota to force a save from Glover before the match went into added time.

This was a good victory for Spurs who started poorly under pressure but got stronger as the game went on. The three goals at the beginning of the second half ended the game as a contest and while Reading gained some momentum after pulling one back, Spurs were able to see out the game.

Spurs travel to Derby on Friday afternoon. The "Rams" lost 2-0 to Everton today having lost their opening game 3-2 to Manchester City last week.

Ray

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