Under-23s victorious at Enfield Town

A brace of penalties from Marcus Edwards gave our Under-23s a 2-1 win against non-league Enfield Town on Monday evening.

In a useful pre-season workout for Wayne Burnett's squad, our youngsters imposed their style well against a tough senior side at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium – just a stone's throw from Hotspur Way – and ran out deserved winners after dominating the game for large spells.

Two goals up until the closing stages, we fell victim to a wonder goal from Brandon Adams, but went close to adding to the scoreline through Edwards, who hit the bar, Troy Parrott and Dilan Markanday in the last few moments. There was a stoppage-time scare when Jack Hockney got in behind our defence, but goalkeeper Jonathan De Bie clawed his shot away down to his right to preserve the win.

Edwards, who won both penalties himself, was one of a number of attacking players looking to press high from the off, with the front three weaving and driving at pace, only to find their paths largely blocked at the edge of the box. Shayon Harrison did manage to step through but was robbed by goalkeeper Joe Wright before the opener arrived in the 18th minute, Edwards sending Wright the wrong way from 12 yards after being tripped by Josh Davison as he glided in from the left.

Town began to play their way into the game for a spell and after Matt Johnson fizzed over from range, they were denied only by a goal-line clearance from Jack Roles after keeper Charlie Freeman's punched clearance ricocheted back towards the net off Johnson's head.

We were quickly on the front foot after the break, Samuel Shashoua's shot being blocked and Wright beating out Paris Maghoma's strike before the second goal arrived on 57 minutes. Edwards skipped over a challenge and zipped into the box, but was sent flying by Wright and referee Chris Bodell immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped the midfielder to blast down the middle and double our advantage.

Town were starting to force us into defensive errors and after De Bie blocked Billal Sayoud’s shot at his near post, the home side got back into the game in style with a 79th-minute stunner from Adams, who picked out the top corner from 20 yards, left of centre.

Our response was positive and Edwards rattled the bar from range, while Parrott dragged wide twice and Markanday's shot was saved as we looked to close the game out on the front foot. Hockney capitalised on a defensive error to get free in behind in the second minute of stoppage time, but De Bie saved brilliantly to see out the win.

The players now head off to France looking to defend the European Under-21 Tournament title they won in Ploufragan last summer.

Goals: Enfield Town - Adams 79; Spurs - Edwards 18 (pen), 57 (pen).
Yellow card: Spurs - Maghoma 68.
Referee: Chris Bodell.
Attendance: 732.