Under-23s report: Albion held by Spurs

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Spong strikes with early free-kick but it's three successive 1-1 draws in Premier League 2

Bruce Talbot

2021-11-05T21:00:00Z

Jack Spong curls his free-kick into the top corner against Spurs

Albion had to settle for their third successive 1-1 draw in Premier League 2 after being pegged back by Tottenham Hotspur at the American Express Elite Performance Centre.

The Lancing sky was illuminated by fireworks for much of the night and Jack Spong came up with a firecracker of his own when he fired an early free kick into the top corner.

But Dylan Markandale deservedly levelled for Tottenham early in the second half and Spurs hit the post twice before Andy Moran headed a glorious chance in stoppage time wide of the target.

Andrew Moran tussles for possession.

Former Ajax goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen got his third PL2 start in goal and there was a return for Evan Ferguson after his goal from the bench helped Albion beat Northampton in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday.

Albion made the ideal start with a goal after four minutes. Moran was brought down right on the edge of the box and midfielder Spong guided the free kick expertly into the top left-hand corner for his first goal of the season.

The home side had the bit between their teeth early on with Todd Miller on the right a constant threat and Spurs’ defender Marcel Lavinier was fortunate to get away with just a booking for a heavy challenge on Miller on the halfway line.

Jack Spong celebrates after scoring a superb free-kick

But the visitors gradually began to work their way back into things and they had three decent openings before the break but neither Yago Santiago Alonso or Brooklyn Lyons-Foster could test Scherpen from just outside the six-yard box and when the 6ft 8in keeper was called into action he saved comfortably from Markanday, who also dragged an effort wide after cutting in from the right.

Tottenham were back on the front foot again at the start of the second half though and deservedly drew level in the 50th minute. It was a scrappy goal from Albion’s perspective as they failed to clear a corner and Markanday had space at the far post to fire low past Scherpen for his tenth of the season.

Nile John was denied by the post after slaloming his way into a shooting position; defender Kaullm Cesay saw his shot bravely blocked by Ed Turns; and Scherpen got down to his right to deny Yago Santiago Alonso as Tottenham looked as if they might go on and win it.

Todd Miller was one of the most experienced players in a young team against Wolves.

Cam Peupion replaced Miller on the hour and the Australian had Albion’s first chance of the half five minutes later when the hosts worked it across the face of goal and Peupion’s low drive forced s save from Thimothee Lo-Tutala.

But Spurs struck the woodwork again with 18 minutes to go when Jack Clarke cut in from the left and his low effort struck the far post before Albion got it clear.

Albion had a great chance to win it in stoppage time. Two of their substitutes – Ulrick Ella and Peupion combined down the right and when Peupion centred Moran had a free header six yards out which he glanced wide.

A fair result in the end which kept Albion fourth and maintained their unbeaten home record. Albion’s next PL2 match is at Goodison Park on 22 November against Everton.

Albion: Scherpen, Offiah (Packham 45), Tsoungui, Turns, Furlong, Leonard, Spong, Miller (Peupion 60), Ferguson, Moran, Tolaj (Ella 77). Unused subs: Desbois, Hinchy.