Birthday boy Dorrington on cup triumph: “You can’t really explain... but it’s really good!”
Thu 20 April 2023, 17:38|
Tottenham Hotspur
Alfie Dorrington turned 18 this morning with a winner’s medal around his neck and beamed: “I’m just buzzing!”
A key figure in our high-flying youth team this season, the towering central defender once again played his part as our Academy scholars lifted the Under-17 Premier League Cup after a well-earned 5-1 victory at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
Reflecting on the team’s success in the aftermath of an excellent performance and subsequent trophy presentation at the City Ground, the youngster explained just what it meant to taste glory on the eve of a milestone birthday.
“It feels really good! I’m just buzzing to win really, especially after last year – I played in the final where we lost against Manchester City, so it’s good to get redemption,” he said.
“It’s brilliant – all the boys are so happy, even the ones who didn’t play. They’ve all still travelled and that just shows the togetherness we have and with the coaches too... it’s a bit fresh so you can’t really explain what it’s like right now, but it’s really good! All my family came to watch so that was great – it was nice to get some pictures with them and I’d just like to thank all the fans who came and supported us as well. We really appreciate it.”
Alfie had an important job on the night, manning the barricades against a Forest side that took the lead before we roared back to win comfortably as the hosts finished with nine men.
“I think the boys did really well, especially in a stadium like this, to block out the home crowd and play our game,” he added. “We went 1-0 down but showed good character and I think that epitomises what we do in training every day – those are just our habits. We started well, they scored but we all knew we’d get another chance so we just had to keep going for them and be resilient. I think that’s what we do, even in training every day – if it’s doing the extra run or doing the extra drill, we’re happy to do it and that showed tonight. The character the boys showed was just brilliant.”
Oliver Irow and Mikey Moore bagged two goals each on the night with Tyrese Hall also on target as we produced some excellent, free-flowing attacking play at times.
“It was good from the forward players – it was nice for me to stay on the half-way line and watch them!” joked Alfie. “In those situations I’ve just got to stay concentrated, keep doing my job and try not to let them score or counter, but equally it was really nice to watch some of the boys express themselves and show what they can do.”
Stuart Lewis’ troops are back in Under-18 Premier League action at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday with a second League Cup final – this one at Under-18 level – to come against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday 4 May. As on Wednesday night, supporters can enjoy the next final live on SPURSPLAY.
