Under-21s' perfect start continues with comprehensive victory over Rovers

Our Under-21s made it five wins from five in 2023/24 on Saturday afternoon as another dominant and clinical performance saw them storm to a 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League 2 at the Lamex Stadium.

Having defeated Sunderland in the Premier League Cup in midweek, and already picked up wins in the league over Manchester City, Newcastle United and Derby County - scoring 11 goals and conceding just once, we were on our way to another statement result when Jude Soonsup-Bell flicked home a header on 27 minutes.

It had taken us a bit of time to find that opener, but we had dominated and deservedly doubled it come 56 minutes when Jamie Donley was given the freedom of the Lamex, released through the centre of the pitch before finishing expertly. Will Lankshear made it 3-0 14 minutes later as a fine team move saw him picked out in the centre of the area to stroke home before Soonsup-Bell grabbed our fourth in stoppage time, slotting home in a near-identical fashion to Lankshear's strike.

The win moves us back to the top of the table, level of points with second-placed Fulham but ahead on goal difference.

Despite our overall dominance of the game, it did take a while for us to find our rhythm in the game. While Rio Kyerematen delivered a teasing ball right across the face of goal with just under three minutes on the clock, it was the visitors who came closest to open the scoring in the early stages when Luca Gunter collided with Alfie Dorrington as a cross came in from the right, the ball bounced off the defender and towards goal but it was thankfully cleared off the line on 11 minutes.

Chances then fell to both sides as we reached the midway stage of the first half. Firstly, Soonsup-Bell showed neat feet to break into the box but his subsequent effort was straight at the goalkeeper. Zack Strich then tried his luck with an instinctive backheel five minutes later but his attempt was also straight at the goalkeeper. On 27 minutes though, we did find our opening goal though as Soonsup-Bell flicked home with a header from Yago Santiago's inswinging corner.

On 40 minutes, we should have then doubled our lead but Lankshear dragged wide from the edge of the box having found space in the middle of the park before an effort from the right was saved well by goalkeeper Jordan Eastham.

Our dominance continued after the break and Santiago knows he should have found the target when Donley released him into the area with 55 minutes played but we didn't have to wait much longer for our second as Donley was released down the middle of the pitch before showing incredible composure to guide the ball home.

We were three to the good on 70 minutes to make sure of the three points as Donley squared the ball for Lankshear, who finished sublimely from just inside the area to make it three goals in two games for the forward. He should have then made it four on 84 minutes as he used his strength to shrug off a defender but his eventual effort was held by Eastham.

Blackburn looked at their brightest in the final five minutes as our intensity began to drop, however we managed to restrict them to half chances at best - Gunter only being tested once as he produced an impressive save, flinging away to his left to deny Harrison Wood from range.

Yet, despite Rovers' slight resurgence, we remained a threat on the break, Lankshear showing a sign of that threat as we broke on 89 minutes as he skewed just wide. Just two minutes later though, we did have our fourth as Soonsup-Bell was teed up to stroke home inside the area by Max Robson. The forward should then have completed his hat-trick in the fifth minute of stoppage time but he scooped over from close range. 

Match data

Goals: Spurs – Soonsup-Bell 27, 90+1, Donley 5, Lankshear 70

Yellow cards: Spurs – Santiago 35, Craig 57

Referee: James Durkin

Venue: Lamex Stadium

Weather: Dry with spells of sunshine, 21 degrees