U21 Report: Saints 2-3 Spurs

Despite an even start to the game, the hosts opened the scoring through Max Robson and led at the break.

Saints equalised less than two minutes after the restart through a Cam Bragg penalty, but the visitors restored their lead through Will Lankshear.

On his PL2 debut, 15-year-old Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez levelled the scores again, but Spurs instantly responded with a fortuitous winner that deflected in off Lankshear. 

There was a PL2 debut for another 15-year-old as Harrison Miles started in midfield alongside Bragg, who returned as captain after his senior debut in the Emirates FA Cup last week.

Harrison Miles made his PL2 debut (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)

There was little to separate the sides for much of the first half hour, as Saints appeared to match the unbeaten league leaders at Snows Stadium.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw, against his former side, forged the first opportunity as he beat Jahziah Linton with trickery in the area but saw his near post shot saved.

An excellent team move followed for Saints as Miles played a delightful through ball to Jake Vokins, who raced down the left before picking out Gomes Rodriguez in the area with the youngster blazing over.

Vokins then won possession in the Spurs half to set Gomes Rodriguez away again, this time denied by a backtracking defender who intercepted the striker’s attempted square ball.

Gomes Rodriguez impressed on his PL2 debut.

The opening goal arrived in the 33rd minute, though, when Brooklyn Lyons-Foster’s clever ball over the defence picked out Robson at the far post who lifted the ball over Mohamed and in.

There was almost a quickfire response as some confusion in the Spurs defence led to a Vokins effort that was blocked in the area less than five minutes after the opener.

Soonsup-Bell was denied again by Mohamed, this time from close range with a volley that was smothered by Saints’ keeper.

Two successive chances then followed for Robson to grab his and Spurs’ second, first directing a cross wide with his chest before heading a whipped delivery inches past the post.

Saints were handed the perfect chance to equalise Immediately after the restart, when half-time substitute Luke Pearce was fouled in the area.

Less than a week after making his senior debut, Bragg stepped up and calmly slotted home his first goal of the season.

Bragg (C) is congratulated after scoring.

Parity was short-lived, unfortunately, as the visitors regained the lead ten minutes later; Damola Ajayi picked off a loose pass and slipped in Lankshear, who rounded Mohamed and confidently slotted home.

Looking to haul his side level again, Bragg tried his luck from distance but saw his shot tipped over by Aaron Maguire just after the hour mark.

Moments later, the combination of a Miles through ball to Vokins caused problems again, with the latter firing in an angled shot that was saved at the near post.

After a couple of Tottenham half-chances, Saints did find themselves level once more through the impressive Gomes Rodriguez.

A perfectly-weighted switch of play from centre-back Jayden Moore found the tricky attacker, who cushioned it down and slotted the ball into the far corner.

The joy was snatched away even faster than the first equaliser though as, less than a minute later, a fortuitous deflection from Sonnie Davis’s clearance rebounded in off Lankshear.

In stoppage time, a neat move between Gomes Rodriguez and Pearce almost led to a third equaliser, but the latter’s shot was deflected narrowly over the crossbar.

Adam Asghar’s side were forced to settle for defeat as Tottenham continued their 100% winning record in the league.

Saints: Mohamed, Abu (Davis 61), Armitage, Moore, Meghoma (Carson 61), Miles (Merry 81), Amo-Ameyaw (Pearce 46), Bragg (c), Gomes Rodriguez, Lett, Vokins.

Subs not used: Awe.

Goals: Bragg (penalty) 47, Gomes Rodriguez 80.

Yellow Cards: Lett 90+5.

Spurs: Maguire, Robson (McKnight 89), Linton, Ashcroft (Kyerematen 55, Williams 82), Dorrington, Lyons-Foster (c), Ajayi, Cassanova, Lankshear, John, Soonsup-Bell

Subs not used: Warren, Andiyapan.

Goals: Robson 33. Lankshear 57, 81.

Attendance: 361