U23 Report: Spurs 2-2 Saints

First-half goals from Dilan Markanday and Harvey White put the hosts in control, before a Jubril Okedina own goal gave hope going into the break.

And Kornelius Hansen’s second-half strike earned Saints’ youngsters a valuable point at Enfield Training Centre.

Radhi Jaïdi's team came into the game off the back of a positive performance against Forest Green in the EFL Trophy and made a bright start. 

Harlem Hale’s pressing him up the pitch forced an error from Spurs goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman, and the resulting corner from Alex Jankewitz saw Kayne Ramsay head over.

Hale was involved again on 11 minutes for the first real opening. Hansen was released down the left and sent a low cross into the forward, who saw his first-time effort go just wide.

The hosts’ first opportunity arrived when Phoenix Patterson drove into space before driving a low, left-footed effort just wide of Jack Bycroft’s goal.

On 23 minutes, it was Spurs that broke the deadlock. Armando Shashoua’s ball
across the face of goal was met by Markanday, who swept the ball into the far corner with his left foot.

It took them just ten minutes to double the advantage. Rodel Richards was brought down in a promising position around 20 yards from goal, with full-back White stepping up to curl the ball beyond the reach of Bycroft.

Saints needed a reaction and got one within an instant. Hale’s low cross presented Hansen with a chance, and his effort went in off Okedina to halve the arrears.

Early in the second-half, Bycroft was forced into a fine low save from Shilow Tracey after he had cut inside from the left to work space inside the box.

Chances were few and far between, with Jaïdi introducing Kgaogelo Chauke to the action in place of Jankewitz just after the hour mark.

With 65 minutes on the clock, Saints drew level. The ball was worked out to Jake Vokins down the left, and his low cross pinballed around the area before falling at the feet of Hansen to finish.

Despite some inevitable late pressure from Spurs, a young Saints team showed their resilience to preserve a point. Next up in Premier League 2, Chelsea visit St Mary's on Saturday 21st September at 3pm.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  62

  38
• Shots
  15

  9
• Shots on target
  8

  2
• Corners
  2

  3
• Passes Complete
  446

  228