U18 Report: Spurs 6-1 Saints

Goals from J’Neil Bennett, Yago Alonso, Nile John, Chay Cooper and a Kion Etete double secured a dominant performance for Spurs, with Lucas Defise scoring Saints’ only goal of the game on the whole mark.

Saints started the game strongly, Jack Turner having a header after just six minutes well saved by Spurs keeper Kacper Kurylowicz.

The hosts’ opener followed just ten minutes later; Bennett hitting a fierce effort into the far corner leaving Oliver Wright with no chance.

It didn’t take long for Tottenham to add a second, Alonso making the most of a defensive mix-up to double Spurs’ lead after 24 minutes.

The pressure didn’t stop there from the hosts, with John hitting an effort just wide just shy of the half hour mark before Wright saved well from a close-range Bennett strike.

Turner once again looked to be Saints’ bright spark, having another effort one-on-one saved by Kurylowicz after 38 minutes.

With the visitors pressing the third Spurs goal was harsh on Carl Martin’s side, Etete hitting his first of the afternoon from close range on 45 minutes.

The second half started much like the first ended; Turner looking lively again as he latched onto a through ball by Defise before hitting his first time effort over after 50 minutes.

Three minutes later Spurs delivered another sucker punch; John getting a goal his chances warranted with a long range, low effort into the far corner.

Just shy of the hour mark came a touch of rest bite for Saints, with a hail storm drawing proceedings to a halt.

Following the break the visitors grabbed a goal their periods of pressure deserved, Defise finishing off a neat passing move with a driven effort into the bottom corner, assisted by Marco Rus.

With the game becoming a far tighter affair following the Saints’ goal it took a referee’s decision for the next goal of the game to arrive.

Etete broke through into the Saints penalty area, before being tripped and awarded a penalty in the 69th minute of which substitute Cooper stepped up and made no mistake.

With five to play there was still time for another Spurs goal, Etete grabbing his second and rounding off the scoring.