Checkatrade Trophy 2018-19, Southern Group A
          The Valley, Charlton, London
             9th October 2018, 7.45pm

       GILLINGHAM     V    TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR U-21
       (All Blue)              (White/Blue)
        4-2-3-1                   3-5-2

          0(0)                     4(1)

Gillingham:– Hadler; O'Neil, Garmston, Elmer(C), Parrett(Reilly 46), Eaves, List(Hanlan 66), Nassen, Chapman(Byrne 46), Rees, Tucker

Unused Subs:- Holy; Simpson, Stevenson, Huckle

Booked:– Chapman 36(Foul), Reilly 63(Late), Elmer 89(Foul)

Spurs U-21:– Whiteman; Brown, Marsh, Dinzeyi(Binks 82), Skipp(C), Roles(Bennett 76), Tanganga, Hinds(Duncan 85), Bowden, Maghoma, Richards.

Unused Subs:- Austin, Lyons-Foster.

Scorers:– Roles 43, Maghoma 67, Brown 82, Duncan 90+3 (pen)

Attendance:– 308

Referee:– Anthony Coggins
Assistants:– Paul Yates & Matthew Lee
Fourth Official:– David Spain

Spurs travelled to south London for the second group match in the Checkatrade Trophy. Their opponents were Kent side Gillingham who switched the game to Charlton Athletic's Valley ground due to works at their own Priestfield Stadium. It seems playing away from home is catching on. Gillingham have sruggled this season with only three wins in the EFL League One (Third divison). Their latest was on Saturday when they inflicted the first defeat upon league leaders Portsmouth at Fratton Park. In the first group match Portsmouth beat Gillingham 4-0 which was probably a better indication of form.

Spurs lined up with Whiteman in goal behind a back three of Tanganga flanked by Marsh on the right and Dinzeyi on the left. Hinds was the right wing-back and Brown was the left. Bowden anchored the midfield with Skipp and Maghoma ahead of him. Roles began as the point of a diamond midfield in support of Richards up front but joined the striker in the second half. Gillingham played with half a first team that included former young Spur Dean Parrett along with other squad members.

It was a poor first half as Spurs' passing was bad as was the decision making. Gillingham tried to help by not pressing and allowing Spurs to build up from the back. After Maghoma had fired over at one end, List did the same at the other. Whiteman saved from Chapman before Brown fired wide. Brown got down the left and crossed for Roles to shoot wide. Hinds got forward to hit over before Chapman tested Whiteman again.

Chapman was booked for a foul on Roles as he made a run behind. There were signs that Spurs were getting their passing game together and at the end of the half Maghoma played a one-two with Richards to get through on goal. Hadler saved his effort but could not stop Roles following up to score.

Gillingham made a double change for the second half but still did not raise their game whereas Spurs improved theres. List had a header saved for a corner before Spurs increased their lead. A run by Roles saw him get behind the home defence and he laid the ball off for Maghoma to score off the inside of the near post.

Spurs' confidence increased as Gillingham's fell and they began to get more physical. Roles was helped over the hoarding before Reilly was booked for a late tackle on Hinds. Nassen fired wide from a long ball by O'Neil before Gillingham were reduced to ten men when sub Hanlan had to go off not long after coming on as their third change.

Spurs' first change saw Bennett replace Roles up front and he was involved in Spurs third goal. Skipp found Bennett as he got through the home defence but Hadler saved with his feet only to see Brown coming in at his near post to put in the loose ball.

With the game safe, Spurs made their last two changes quickly. First Binks replaced Dinzeyi in the back three and then Duncan came on for Hinds. Marsh moved to right wing-back with Tanganga moving right to allow Skipp to drop into the middle of the back three.

Byrne was still trying to prompt the home side with Nassen firing wide but Ehmer was booked for catching Bennett in the face. With the game deep into added time Bennett played Duncan in on the right only to be fouled by Tucker for a penalty. Duncan took the kick himself sending the keeper the wrong way, scoring inside the right post. That was the last kick of the match as the ref blew after the restart.

It has to be said that it was a very poor Gillingham side even with Parrett, who scored for Wimbledon in last season's victory over Spurs. Spurs played so poorly that they made them look good in the first half. Once Spurs got their game going there was only going to be one winner. Portsmouth beat Crawley 1-0 to top the group with six points and Spurs go into second place on four points. Spurs now travel to Fratton park next month with a chance to get through to the knockout stage. Portsmouth will be a much tougher proposition and will likely include former Spurs youngsters Luke McGee and Anton Walkes.

Ray

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