Premier U-18 League 2019-20
    Hotspur Way, Whitewebbs Lane, Enfield
     Saturday 17th August 2019, 11.30am 

           SPURS     v    BRIGHTON
       (White/Blue)     (Green/White)
          4-1-4-1          4-2-3-1

            2(1)             3(1) 

 Kacper Kurylowicz   1  Fynn Talley
     Matthew Craig   2  Ed Turns
      Dermi Lusala   3  Sam Packham
     Chay Cooper(C)  4  Marc Leonard
      Marques Muir   5  Luka Cocoracchio
        Luis Binks   6  Antef Tsoungu
        Max Robson   7  Jack Leahy
     Michael Craig   8  Jack Spong(C)
        Kion Etete   9  Lorent Tolaj
         Nile John  10  Stefan Vukoje
 Tarrelle Whittaker 11  Matthew Everitt

   Rafferty Pedder  12  Ayo Tanimowo
        (4)73Mins      (2)55Mins
Thimothee Lo-Tutala 13  Toby Bull
      Enock Asante  14  Odell Offiah
        (7)65Mins
      Kallum Cesay  15  Ted Jenks
        (5)46Mins       (4)69Mins
                    16  Todd Miller
                        (7)67Mins

Scorers:-
   Etete 1(pen)  Vukoje 19
   Cesay 87             Tolaj 62, 75

Booked:-
   Binks 60(Foul)       Jenks 90+4(Foul)

Coach:-
       Matt Taylor      Mark Beard

Referee:– Joe McKay

It was a cloudy morning for the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion to Hotspur Way. Spurs' U-18s were looking for their first win of the season following the thrashing at Fulham last week. Brighton won last week 3-2 against Reading. Last season, Spurs' all-conquering academy side beat the "Seagulls" both home and away.

Spurs lined up with Kurylowicz in goal behind Binks and Muir with Matthew Craig at right back and Lusala on the left. Cooper anchored the midfield with Michael Craig and John ahead of him. They were flanked by Robson on the right and Whittaker on the left in support of Etete up front.

Spurs made the perfect start when Robson got into the area to win a penalty in the first minute. Etete stepped up to convert it to take the lead. Binks headed over from a corner before Lusala conceded a free kick just outside the area to stop Tolaj. Spong took the kick which was over the goal.

Brighton were pressing hard as Spurs tried to play their passing game which resulted in balls being turned over and quick counter-attacks by the visitors. Cooper fouled Leonard who took the free kick which was over the bar, but Brighton looked dangerous on the break and they got a goal when Vukoje got away to shoot low past Kurylowicz.

The Spurs keeper had to save from Tolaj before Lusala saw his drive deflected wide. Leonard drew a save before Robson headed over a cross from John at the end of the half.

Spurs began the second half with Cesay at right back in place of Muir with Matthew Craig moving into the middle of the defence. John played in Robson to force Talley into a save with Cooper firing over as Spurs pushed forward.

Brighton continued to break with Tolaj firing wide when played in by Packham. Spurs were beginning to get bogged down in midfield with Brighton making the most of the turnovers. Leahy fired wide as did Leonard. John fired wide before Binks was booked cutting out a raid down the line. Spurs failed to cut out a ball over the top which allowed Tolaj to go one on one with Kurylowicz and score.

Whittaker pushed up alongside Etete and drew a save from Talley but the Brighton defence were now on top. Asante replaced Robson on the left of midfield as Spurs' second change. Kurylowicz saved from Miller with the follow-up going wide.

Cesay hit the near post with an effort before Everitt won a corner with his attempt. Everitt then set up Vukoje to fire wide before Spurs made their last change bringing on Pedder for Cooper. Everitt got down the left to play in Tolaj who turned and drove in for his second goal and to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Talley saved a header by Binks at a corner before Tolaj fired over. John played in Whittaker to draw a save before Spurs pulled a goal back when Pedder crossed to the far post for Binks to head towards goal. His header hit the far post and Cesay followed up to score. That was about it as Brighton did a good job of containing Spurs with Vukoje drawing a save and only a John effort over the bar before the final whistle although Brighton did pick up a booking in the last minute.

Our new latest generation of the U-18 team have had two defeats to begin the new season as opposed to last year's group who had two opening wins and scored 11 goals. The new batch of players will take time to gel while the gooners top the table with two wins from two.

There is not much to say as they did not perform well on the day. Spurs strength is usually in the quick passing game which did not work in this match giving the ball away too often and getting caught at the back. Spurs ended the game playing long balls which did not make any differnce. They will improve as they bed in but it needs to be quickly. Bringing some of the older players in to use their experience may be the answer to help the newbies. Next week they entertain Norwich City who have drawn both their games with a 3-3 draw against Fulham today.

Ray

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