Town’s U15s lost on a penalty shoot-out to Tottenham’s youngsters in their annual showcase game at Portman Road. Striker Sam Ford had put the Blues 2-0 in front with a well-taken goal in either half but the visitors struck back to even the scores at 2-2 by the full-time whistle and won the shoot-out 4-2.
Prior to kick off, which was delayed by 10 minutes due to the visitors’ late arrival, academy graduates Tommy Smith and Luke Hyam took part in the pre-match photos with the captains and the officials.
Early on, Tottenham’s Charlie Haywood went wide with a freekick from just outside the area, then in the fourth minute Spurs defender Chris Paul made a superb challenge to block from Town’s Sam Ford as he went through on goal.
The Blues were starting the game promisingly and in the seventh minute central defender Travis Cole headed wide from a corner. Three minutes later, Town’s Jean Yves-Poame shot wide from distance after a promising run.
Spurs got on top as the game moved towards the quarter hour mark, Zenon Styliandes forcing Blues keeper Oliver Spink to save uncomfortably down to his left. Four minutes later Spink was in action again, stopping Armani Daly’s shot from a tight angle on the left
Town went ahead in the 22nd minute when left-back Sonny Howard sent over a low first-time cross and Sam Ford deftly diverted it past Spurs keeper Alfie Whiteman with the outside of his right boot from six yards. The quality of the excellent cross was more than matched by the finish.
Tottenham looked to hit back straight away, striker Josh Walker mis-hit a good chance from Daly’s pass, then Styliandes saw an effort deflect over.
The visitors continued to enjoy much the greater share of the ball but were unable to create anything of note in front of goal.
The Blues weren’t far from increasing their lead in the 31st minute when Yves-Poame forced Whiteman to push his 25-yard strike past his left post.
In the final scheduled minute of the first half Hayford’s edge of the area freekick deflected wide after Marcus Edwards had been fouled just as he was taking the ball into the area.
Spurs had had the better of the possession for the most part, but the Blues had been a threat throughout the opening 40-minute-long half, creating the best chances with Ford taking his goal clinically.
Within two minutes of the restart Town were two in front with Ford again the scorer. The striker was played in on the left of the area and drew the keeper and finished from a tight angle.
Tottenham pulled a goal back in the 44th minute when sub Ryan Loft hit a shot across Blues keeper Spink from the right of the area after being played through by Edwards.
Soon after, in a half in which substitutions came thick and fast, Ford threatened again but was dispossessed by Thomas Mackleden before he could get control of a bouncing ball.
The striker had a chance to claim his hat-trick in the 49th minute when played through one-on-one with the keeper. The Felixstowe-based striker held off two Tottenham defenders but keeper Whiteman stood his ground and did well to block.
The visitors went close to getting on terms on 54 when Styliandes turned a corner from the left on to the top of the crossbar from the edge of the box. Spurs threatened again just before the hour when Tom Herbert headed wide from a corner.
Spurs were looking far the more dangerous side and on 64 Harley Willard forced Blues keeper Spink into a save with an effort from distance.
The visitors finally got level three minutes from the end, moments after Blues central defensive linchpin George Fowler had been replaced, when Daly was given too much time and space on the edge of the box and hit a shot which beat Spink to his right.
Spurs, very much on top for most of the second half, came close to grabbing a winner in the final minute of normal time when Herbert headed over from a corner. That was to prove the final chance and the game went to a penalty shoot-out.
Tottenham’s Charlie Hayford, Marcus Edwards, Charlie Owens, Armani Daly all scored from the spot, while for the Blues Sonny Howard, Kundai Benyu were on target. Travis Cole and Dan Muamba — the younger brother of former Bolton man Fabrice unluckily hitting the underside of the bar twice - missed for Town. Tommy Smith and Luke Hyam presented the trophy to the winners and medals to all those who took part..
Town: Oliver Spink, Ismael Diallo (Riley Baker 41), Sonny Howard (Harry Daly 33 (Sonny Howard 72)), Chris Smith (Ronaldo Jones, 49), Travis Cole (James Baughurst 41), George Fowler (Travis Cole 76), Jean Yves-Poame (Isaac Maynard 57), Kundai Benyu (Max Melanson 33 (Dan Muamba 67)), Nick Ingram (Jean Yves-Poame 74), Sam Ford (Connor McKendry 57), Andre Dozzell (Kundai Benyu 64).
Tottenham: Alfie Whiteman, Louis Ramsay, George Brown, Charlie Owens, Chris Paul, Thomas Mackleden, Marcus Edwards, Zenon Styliandes, Josh Walker, Charlie Hayford, Armani Daly. Subs: Tom Herbert, Josh Brett, Harley Willard. Att 1,569.