Under-18s secure south coast success

An assertive performance away at Southampton got our Under-18s back to winning ways in the league as we sealed a 2-0 triumph on the south coast on Saturday.

A late first-half strike from Tarrelle Whittaker got us on our way before Kallum Cesay secured the three points with a close-range effort just after the restart.

Contrary to what the final scoreline suggests, it had been our hosts who had made the better start to proceedings and they could have been in front inside the opening minute had Luis Binks not been in position to block Kegs Chauke's far post effort.

We slowly began to make in-roads into the game as the first period ticked towards the half-way stage but we were still conceding chances.

Twice in the build-up to half-time we were quickly caught on the break but, thankfully for us, goalkeeper Kacper Kurylowicz was in top form between the sticks when he was called upon to make two important stops –  the first to prevent Sam Bailey’s header from a corner and then the second, a stunning point-blank save to stop what looked to be a certain goal from Sam Bellis.

It was a remarkable save that seemed to energise us as we started to raise our game towards the break and, with just seconds remaining of the first half, we broke the deadlock. A lovely exchange of passes in the centre of the pitch saw Whittaker released and once the striker found his way into the box, he made no mistake in finding the far corner of the net.

That breakthrough was a catalyst for the strong second-half display that followed. We flew into action immediately after the restart with Rafferty Pedder almost doubling our lead on 50 minutes, but his strike was saved well by Olly Wright. But just two minutes later, with Pedder involved once again, we managed to find the killer second goal. Again, the substitute midfielder was looking to find the back of the net, but his effort was once again thwarted – this time by the post. However, the on-running Cesay made no mistake with the rebound, as he lashed in from close range.

That goal gave us a commanding lead in the game and that was reflected in our play throughout the second half as we looked assured and composed on the ball, while we were resolute at the back. Whittaker continued to look a threat and moving into the final 20 minutes, he had two opportunities to find his second. The first was speculative, fired towards goal from distance, but it was sailing into the top corner until Wright managed to get his fingertips to it to nudge it over. The latter was more instinctive from the forward, pivoting neatly in the box before sending the ball narrowly wide.

On 75 minutes, Cesay nearly had his second of the game but, once again, Wright was on hand to keep it at 2-0. Defensively, we managed to restrict Southampton and their advances, yet the home side did come close on two occasions late on with audacious efforts from outside the box, both of which crashed off the bar.

Key moment

Having been pressed and harried by Southampton for much of the first half, to take the lead just before half-time completely changed the complexion of the game.

Whittaker’s finish appeared to be the catalyst for the assertive performance that followed after the restart as we went on to claim all three points.

Coach’s view

After a sluggish start to the game, Under-18s Coach Matt Taylor admitted he was pleased with how his side reacted to his half-time team talk, commending them on their second half endeavours: “At the start of the game, for the first 10 or 15 minutes, Southampton were the better team but after weathering the storm, we grew into the match,” he explained. “I think we probably scored at a very good time with the goal coming just before the break - that gave us a lift psychologically. I still wasn’t overly happy with the way we were going about things so at half-time, we spoke about what was needed in the second half and I must commend the players on their reaction because it was an assertive performance in the final 45 minutes. There was a maturity about our play and the key principles to be a footballer for Tottenham Hotspur, there were some of those on view today.

“All in all, it was great to keep a clean sheet. I think it was important that we bounced back after the negative result against West Ham last week (3-2 home defeat). The one thing we are looking for now is consistency in the players’ performances because, so far this season, we’ve won three games and lost three.”