By Connor Armstrong
SUMMARY
Josh Dasilva’s strike was not enough as our under-18s lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at London Colney.
The visitors' captain Timothy Eyoma headed home the opener from a free-kick after just eight minutes.
That advantage was doubled before the half-time interval when Jack Roles nodded in a second.
Dasilva let fly with a strike from distance which beat Alfie Whiteman in the 67th minute, but we could not fight our way back into the game.
SETTING THE SCENE
Joao Virginia started in goal, with Jordi Osei-Tutu and Kostas Pileas in the full-back positions.
Joseph Olowu partnered Zech Medley in the heart of the defence, with Charlie Gilmour pairing up with Dasilva in central midfield.
Emile Smith-Rowe, Joe Willock and Yassin Fortune played in behind Tyreece John-Jules, who led the attack.
FIRST HALF
The visitors stormed into an early lead when Phoenix Patterson’s free-kick was powered past Virginia by the head of Eyoma.
Willock looked to make amends quickly at the other end, but his low near-post drive was turned away by Whitman.
Patterson also provided the assist for Totenham's second goal, floating a cross in from the right flank this time as Roles headed in.
SECOND HALF
The second period started more positively for the Gunners, with Smith-Rowe darting towards goal before seeing his attempt saved by Whiteman as he looked to halve the deficit.
Smith-Rowe was at the heart of an attacking move once again soon after, winning the ball in his own half before breaking upfield. His pass found Fortune, with John-Jules eventually seeing his effort thwarted by Whitman.
When Dasilva found the back of the net with 23 minutes remaining, it was Smith-Rowe who provided him with a pass infield, enabling the central midfield to thump home from distance.
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