WBA U18s A-A Spurs

There was disappointment for our Under-18s on Saturday after their match at West Bromwich Albion was abandoned during the second half because of a waterlogged pitch.

Following a goalless first half, in which we moved the ball about with zest despite continuous rainfall, Ismail Azzaoui fired us into the lead with a close-range effort on 58 minutes.

No sooner had the ball hit the back of the net, though, match referee Mr. Denne called an early end to proceedings – deeming the surface to be unplayable.

It was an untimely incident for us as we chased our fourth consecutive Barclays Under-18 Premier League victory.

Just four minutes into the match at the Baggies’ training ground, striker Ryan Loft strode through one-on-one with goalkeeper Alex Palmer but the custodian was able to make a low stop.

Baggies skipper Phil Gannon was then off target from 25 yards out, before Anton Walkes spotted the run of Cy Goddard and played the ball into the left channel for him. The Japanese youth international controlled well before finding the feet of Loft, the front man taking a touch before drilling the wrong side of the near post.

Azzaoui shot wide and then blasted into the side netting with two chances in as many minutes mid-way through the first period before being denied by Palmer following a through ball by Joe Pritchard just past the half-hour mark.

Goalkeeper Harry Voss got low to keep out Joe Ward’s free-kick on 35 minutes, while we nearly scored from a set-piece of our own five minutes later. Joe Muscatt was brought down on the left and Goddard swung the ball in right-footed towards the back post, with Loft hammering just past the upright.

Pritchard was also off target two minutes before the interval after a good build-up involving Loft, Muscatt and Azzaoui while the Baggies saw a chance go begging five minutes after the restart when Andre Wright’s low shot was gathered by Voss after Ward’s effort deflected off a defender and fell straight to his feet.

We finally broke the deadlock on 58 minutes when Pritchard’s persistence at the edge of the box saw him force the ball through to Azzaoui, who carried it forward and fired high into the net from close range.

There was to be no further play, however, as the referee brought the game to a premature end.

Spurs U18s: Voss, Paul, Muscatt, Owens, Maghoma, Walkes, Stylianides, Pritchard, Loft, Goddard, Azzaoui. Substitutes: Amos, Edwards, Daly, McDermott (GK).