Leicester U18s 1-1 Spurs U18s

Shayon Harrison kept his cool to fire home a deserved equaliser as our Under-18s battled out a 1-1 draw at Leicester City on Saturday lunchtime.

A goal behind to Danny Rowe’s strike with just over 20 minutes to go, we responded well with the hard-working Harrison bagging the leveller six minutes later.

Goalkeeper Harry Voss then flung himself to his left to keep out another Rowe shot and ensure we shared the spoils for the fourth consecutive Barclays Under-18 Premier League match.

The opening exchanges belonged largely to us, but the lack of a final ball meant we were unable to seize the advantage. Kyle Walker-Peters embarked on a blistering run into Leicester’s box but ran straight into defender Hamza Choudhury, skipper Josh Onomah stung the palms of home keeper Max Smith-Varnham from long range and Harrison produced a low stop from the latter with a clever shot on the turn.

Ismail Azzaoui, making his first league start, impressed down the left, leaving full-back Darnell Johnson in his wake before testing Smith-Varnham from a tight angle on 18 minutes and then flashing an inviting ball across the face of goal two minutes later which nobody was there to connect with.

Cy Goddard was denied by the keeper from a corner, but it was Leicester who went closest to a first half breakthrough on 36 minutes when Ben Chilwell accelerated down the left and skimmed the top of the bar with a speculative effort from out on the flank.

Connor Anderson’s powerful header from a deep Matt Miles free-kick sailed wide of Voss’ left-hand post in the last chance of the half for either side, the hosts also signalling their intent as the second period got underway with Miles drilling marginally past the upright. Chilwell then swung a ball in from the left on 48 minutes but Chris Dusabe couldn’t connect.

Quite a duel developed in the moments that followed between Azzaoui and Smith-Varnham, the goalkeeper making a low save from the lively attacker on 55 minutes before rushing off his line to thwart the debutant as he came back for more 60 seconds later.

The deadlock was broken in the 69th minute and it was Rowe who collected the ball in midfield and roamed into the box before letting fly from 16 yards out to put the hosts in front.

A response was needed and – after Lloyd Ross scuffed wide of the post and Azzaoui was again denied by the Leicester keeper – one arrived with 15 minutes remaining. Goddard picked up the ball after a Leicester counter-attack was snuffed out and initiated a break of our own by releasing Azzaoui down the left. He picked out Harrison with a fine pass and the striker made no mistake, running on and slotting low into the corner.

We had Voss to thank for keeping us on level terms three minutes later, the stopper diving to his left to keep out a Rowe shot that appeared destined for the top corner.

Substitute Charlie Hayford’s first-time curling effort following Harrison’s pass forced Smith-Varnham into a reflex save shortly afterwards, while Harrison saw his low drive smothered by the keeper six minutes from time.

Spurs: Voss, Walker-Peters, Muscatt (Paul 75), Owens (Stylianides 50), Maghoma, Walkes, Ross (Hayford 75), Onomah, Harrison, Goddard, Azzaoui. Substitutes (not used): Daly, Glover (GK).