Williams treble caps memorable outing for Academy against Kerala Blasters

Jaden Williams bagged a hat-trick as our Academy defeated Indian side Kerala Blasters in the semi-finals of the Premier League’s Next Generation Cup at Hotspur Way on Wednesday afternoon.

As one of two host clubs for the eight-team pre-season tournament, which features Under-19 sides from five Premier League and three overseas outfits, we scored twice in the first half through Jahziah Linton and Williams, then weathered a spell of Blasters pressure after half-time before going on to win comfortably, striker Williams completing his treble with two late goals, including one from the penalty spot, as we triumphed 7-0.

We’ll now face West Ham in Saturday’s final after they came from 3-0 down at half-time to beat Crystal Palace 4-3 in the other semi-final in our group.

Leicester City are hosting the other side of the bracket, competing against Nottingham Forest, Bengaluru of India and South African side Stellenbosch.

The tournament, part of a long-standing partnership between the Premier League and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), is designed to support the development of the game in India and South Africa. Furthermore, as a Club, we look forward to welcoming the Kerala Blasters players to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on two separate days during the course of their stay in London, where they will be invited to take part in one of our Global Football Development team’s training sessions at N17 Arena, while also enjoying a stadium tour.

Wednesday’s match was well-contested with Williams going close on a couple of occasions before we grabbed the lead on the half-hour mark, Williams exhibiting great footwork to cut back for Rio Kyerematen whose shot was blocked on the line, with defender Linton on hand to drive home the rebound.

It was 2-0 just two minutes later thanks to Williams’ low shot, although Kerala Blasters rallied after the break with Bijoy Varghese sending a header just over the bar, while our defenders were forced to make some important blocks in and around the box. We found a third goal on 55 minutes, though, with Williams and half-time substitute Tom Bloxham involved in a fluid move that ended with Riley Owen’s cut-back from the left being rammed home at the far post by the arriving Max McKnight.

Givson Singh Moiragthem fizzed a shot just over at the other end but we further strengthened our grip on the game on 62 minutes when Bloxham converted McKnight’s cross with a first-time shot from eight yards out to make it 4-0. George Abbott got in on the act eight minutes later, sliding home a fine goal after a neat one-two with Damola Ajayi, before Williams completed his treble with an 85th-minute penalty after he was fouled in the box, then with a left-footed finish into the far corner two minutes from time.