SPURS v CHELSEA U18

It was a cool morning that brightened up as the match went on. There was a good sized crowd for this London derby and the overflow car park was in use. Spurs fielded their most experienced side so far this season against a settled Chelsea team.
Spurs lined up with Miles again in goal with Durojaiye and Yeboah at the back with Tapping at right back and Francis-Angol on the left. Dombaxe and Carroll started in the centre of midfield with Waller-Lassen on the right and M'Poku on the left. Pritchard supported Oyenuga up front.

Spurs kicked off attacking the South goal. The first thing to happen was Prosenik taking out his team-mate Na Bangna just inside the visitors' half. I had to stop laughing as the player had to have treatment and they did not shake hands afterwards.

Thanks to Oyengua, Carroll and M'Poku the home side soon had their passing game going forward and the Blues were back-pedalling. The opening goal did not take long in coming as the ball was played into the area after a run by Waller-Lassen and Pritchard finished across the keeper. Yeboah got a kick to the head as he headed out a cross and had to be replaced by Stewart who took up the left back position with Francis-Angol moving inside.

Rogers picked up a loose clearance from a corner but fired wide. Blackman came out quickly to block Oyenuga's shot after he had been played through and Oyenuga had another effort blocked from M'Poku's cross.Dombaxe was the next to get on the end of a cross but his strike was deflected for a corner. Oyenuga then provided a pass for M'Poku to shoot. Blackman saved that and also the follow-up header before the ball was cleared. M'Poku had another effort saved before Devyne had a couple of chances for the visitors - both off target.

Spurs increased their lead when M'Poku got down the left and crossed for Pritchard to score after Waller-Lassen had stepped over the ball allowing it to reach the far post. Spurs kept the pressure on and Chelsea could make little headway until Sampayo got down the right and crossed for Prosenik to draw a save from Miles. Stewart up in support of M'Poku was given a sight of goal but fired wide as did M'Poku from a pass by Oyenuga. As the game entered added time Rogers had a shot wide and when he put in a free kick Prosenik headed home from an offside position. Na Bangna had to be replaced just before the end of the half.

Chelsea made another change for the second half as they came out of the blocks fast. Miles saved from Prosenik with Devyne putting the follow-up wide. Prosenik had a part in the visitors first goal when he headed on a loose ball for Kane to tap in at the far post. This was Prosenik's last contribution as he was then replaced. The goal spurred on the visitors and they drew saves from substitutes Nditi and Swift before Pritchard saw his effort saved after a pass by M'Poku.

Spurs began to get on top again with a free kick taken by M'Poku saved by Blackman for a corner. From the corner M'Poku set up Oyenuga but again Blackman saved. Kane was booked for a trip on M'Poku who had another effort saved by the keeper. Blackman was keeping the blues in the game and even when he conceded a penalty as Waller-Lassen tried to go round him, he saved the spot kick from Pritchard diving full length and foiled Oyenuga when he followed up. He was booked for the foul which was a small price to pay.

The ref gave a throw-in the wrong way which resulted in Tapping being booked for not giving the ball back. Pritchard failed to convert Waller-Lassen's cross and then was foiled by Blackman diving at his feet when through on goal. Saville fired over following a corner and Dombaxe drove wide. That was the captain's last contribution as he was replaced by Munns with Tapping taking the armband.

A long ball out of defence found Devyne in space and he went on to beat Miles with a low finish. After so much domination it looked like Spurs had been caught by a sucker punch, but they responded well. Firstly a Munns drive was deflected for a corner, and Waller-Lassen fired just wide. M'Poku played in Oyenuga who finished with a low drive to regain the lead. Sampayo was booked for having a go at the ref for a perceived foul. He was followed into the ref's book by Saville for a late tackle on Carroll a minute later. Oyenuga settled the game when he picked up the ball just inside the visitors half and went on a run that took him into the area skipping tackles and finishing with a low shot to the keepers left. Waller-Lassen fired wide as we entered added time and Affane put his effort wide.

This was a good victory which had its roots in the experienced players that came into the side. M'Poku showed off his close control and intelligent passing. His reactions were a little slow since moving up into the development group as the pace of the game is slower. Carroll and Pritchard's quick movement and passing kept the game flowing. The physical presence of Oyenuga up front and Durojaiye at the back was also in evidence. Chelsea may be able to buy up the best potential talent but they cannot gel them into a formidable force like their first team. This was the first home win of the season and follows on from last weeks 4-0 win over Charlton which sets Spurs up for a top of the table clash with Leicester City next saturday. The game will kick off at noon at Leicester City's training ground.(Ed:- and Ray intends to be there for Spurs Odyssey!)

Ray