Tottenham U18s take hard fought win away to Newcastle

TWO goals by Shayon Harrison decided a very close game in Tottenham's favour.

His first on 34 minutes had given them the lead but his second, six minutes from time, means the young Tottenham side remain top of the Premier League U18 table.

Jonathyn Quinn had levelled for Newcastle on the stroke of half time.

Last season had seen Spurs win 4-0 but only goalkeeper Luke McGee remained from that day.

Newcastle started the better although it took seven minutes for the first shot to be fired, Callum Roberts firing over from the edge of the box.

Roberts had another chance minutes later but hit his free kick straight at McGee.

Spurs slowly started to stir and two half chances from Conner Ogilvie and Kane Vincent-Young hinted at better things to come.

Most of the creative spark from Spurs was coming down the right wing in the shape of Nathan Oduwa.

But when the goal finally arrived it was from the left hand side.

Showing great strength and pace Anthony Georgiou finally managed to escape the shackles of his two markers and headed into the box.

He had time to look up and pulled the ball back perfectly for Harrison who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

It signalled a spell of intense Tottenham pressure as Oduwa continue to lead Ben Drennan at right back a merry dance.

Daniel Akindayini had the best chance in this period but his shot was well saved by the feet of Jonathan Mitchell and the rebound bounced clear of the onrushing attackers.

However with time running out Spurs gifted Newcastle a way back in.

They were guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous positions for a lot of the game and this time it proved costly as Quinn was given a fairly simple chance to equalise.

The goal give Newcastle plenty of heart and they started the second half with plenty of possession and territory.

However as with the rest of the game Newcastle failed to really test McGee.

On 54 minutes Spurs were given a slice of luck.

A quick break saw Olivier Kemen hit the deck under the attentions of Channing Campbell-Young.

It was more of a coming together than a cynical foul and he received a yellow card for his troubles.

On another day however he could possibly have received a red.

Harrison showed a glimpse of things to come with a clever turn but instead of shooting himself he layed the ball to Georgiou who was denied by Mitchell.

It was the winger's last involvement and he was replaced by Emmanuel Sonupe, who was straight into the action.

Two quick breaks and good crosses caused plenty of distress in the Newcastle defence but the goal remained untouched.

However that was not the case on 84 minutes.

Harrison used his body cleverly to turn into clear and although his first shot was saved by Mitchell, he made no mistake from the rebound.

This was still time for chances. Oduwa hit the outside of the post and Rolando Aarons went around McGee but couldn't find a black and white shirt with his pullback.

One final heart in the mouth moment followed for the sizable number of Spurs fans in attendance.

Quinn went round McGee who pulled him to the ground. The referee blew his whistle but for an offside against the Newcastle number nine and the chance was gone.

Player Ratings:

Luke McGee - Solid with what Newcastle threw at him. A great communicator, he was caught out once or twice when Newcastle got behind the defence but overall he was comfortable.

Channing Campbell-Young - Only time he was put under any difficulties was through his own mistakes. Looked happy on the ball and was always wanting it.

Kyle Walker-Peters - Same as above. Was beaten a few times in the opening 10 minutes but from then on he was comfortable and kept Roberts very quiet.

Anton Walkes - Quiet game for the midfielder. Struggled to take control in the middle of the park but looked very comfortable when he had the ball. Confident passer.

Kane Vincent-Young - One great run forward was reminiscent of Jan Vertonghen. Solid in his defensive work and helped limit the amount of chances Newcastle got. Booked.

Connor Ogilvie - More than a touch of the Michael Dawson about him. Strong, brave, good in the air. Some very important blocks and his crossfield passes found his man in more cases than not.

Nathan Oduwa - Not your typical winger. Big, strong, not as quick as Aaron Lennon but just as tricky. Very good close control and caused Newcastle a lot of problems.

Will Miller - Worked hard without a lot of reward. When his through balls worked though they were very good. Great slide-rule pass for the second.

Daniel Akindayini - Lived off scraps before being replaced on 60 minutes. One good chance which was well saved.

Shayon Harrison - Showed some very clever turns and use of his body. Wasn't always in the game but took his chances when they came along as all good forward men should do.

Anthony Georgiou - Great run and clever pullback for the goal. Didn't always have the beating of his man but was always willing to try.

Joe Pritchard - Struggled to get into the game after replacing Akindayini on 60 minutes.

Emmanuel Sonupe - Wonderful cameo after coming on after 65 minutes. Quick, agile, he put in some great crosses which were begging to be converted. Impressive.

Lloyd Ross - Only got 10 minutes and didn't really have a chance to shine.

Liam Priestly - Unused substitute.

NUFC Press Conference - Monday 28th January 2013

As part of my major career plans and in an effort to gain some more experience I had the plesaure of going to Newcatle's Press Conference today. Here's the piece I did following that:

 

 

Alan Pardew has no doubts about throwing the majority of his new signings straight into the mix for tomorrow nights game against Aston Villa.

 

Newcastle announced the signings of no less than 5 new players last week all from the French league and he is confident that they can hit the ground running.

 

"Haidara, the left back we brought in, is really one for the future, he definitely won't be involved though I will be taking him as part of the squad but the other 4 are in contention. It's really about getting the balance right in the team. Having so many French players in the team has helped and the signs are progressive."

 

Of all of those signings it is that of Moussa Sissoko that excites him the most and he will definitely make the starting XI at Villa Park.

 

"I think of all the signings Sissoko was the most important for myself because I think he's a player who is adapted to the Premier League. I think his strength and ability will automatically gain the assurance he needs to play at this level and we needed a player like that. I thought we were missing power and pace in our side and make no bones about it, he will definitely be playing against Villa."

 

"He's very keen to put the situation right on his own. That's the sort of player he is, the sort of player we want to bring into this football club and dressing room."

 

He was however quick to distance his new man from comparissons with former Premier League players such as Patrick Viera.

"I think it's unfair to put names next to players. He's Sissoko, Moussa to us, and we hope he has a successful time here."

Despite the big influx of new faces he doesn't see this causing a problem with the current members of the squad. In fact he has noticed a more determined air around the training ground

 

"Certainly I have and quite rightly too. You're going to react. In any walk of life if someone comes in to take your job, your place in your company or your position, you're going to react. So we've had a nice reaction, a positive one and that's how it should be

 

He now feels happy with his squad and sees no more incomings.

 

"We needed to strengthen there's no doubt about that. We accelerated some transfers that perhaps we may have left til the summer, Sissoko being the main one of that group in terms of accelerated. Derek Lambias has done a terrific job as Mike did in getting us over the line."

 

And he also feels the squad is in a much stronger position and far more able to deal with the battles ahead.

 

"It leaves us a lot stronger, gives us depth, gives us cover where we haven't had and the injury crisis we suffered earlier in the season, we're now coming out of that, the group is much, much stronger"

 

One of those players coming back into fitness is Steven Taylor and Pardew sees the Cramlington born defender as a big help to the squad's mindset for the remainder of the season.

 

Taylor was in the team who was relegated at Villa Park in 2010 and is confident that experience will spur both himself and the team on.

 

"He's a local boy, he understands the club, he was there two years ago when this club got relegated at Aston Villa so he'll know in that dressing room how important this is to us and he'll relay that to the other players."

 

"It's brilliant to have him back."