Burton Albion’s PDP side produced a spirited performance as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur Under 18s in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup.
Kiyan Baker-McKay’s second half goal wasn’t enough to keep the Young Brewers’ Youth Cup hopes alive against Spurs who currently sit top of the southern section of the U18 Premier League.
Goals either side of half-time from Tyrese Hall, Ellis Lehane and a third from from substitute Oliver Irow in stoppage time saw Tottenham progress through to Round Five.
After a quiet opening few minutes, Brewers keeper Kamil Dudek was called into action when he was forced to race off his goal line to clear Kieran Morgan’s lofted ball over the Burton backline.
But it was Burton who had the better of the chances in the ealy stages, with Kiyan Baker-McKay and Dylan Scott both firing efforts wide from the edge of the box.
Scott again went close in the 19th minute, as the Brewers striker raced onto Connor Pace’s ball down the inside right channel and rode the challenge of Archie Chaplin before firing his shot low into the gloves of Tottenham ‘keeper Carey Bloedorn.
Less than a minute later, Dudek was at full stretch to keep out Miracle Adewole’s long-range effort with a superb fingertip save.
As th half wore on, the Young Brewers continued to hold their own. However, it was Tottenham who ended the half the strongest.
In the 38th minute, Mikey Moore rolled an effort inches wide from close range after a clever interchange between Hall and Callum Olusesi had opened up the Burton defence.
Moore came even closer in the 41st minute, when his effort was superbly blocked by a sliding Will Tamen, following a mazy run through the middle of the Burton half. Just two minutes later though, Tottenham did find the breakthrough.
Hall won a challenge on the edge of the centre circle and drove forward before placing his low shot beyond Dudek into the bottom corner from the edge of the Burton box to give the away side the lead. 0-1.
HALF TIME: BURTON ALBION 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The tie exploded into life after half-time with the Brewers searching for the equaliser.
However, just two minutes after the restart, Tottenham’s lead was doubled when striker Ellis Lehane was on hand to turn home Damola Ajayi’s low cross at the back post, following a brilliant turn in midfield by Moore. 0-2.
The Young Brewers got themselves back into the cup-tie quickly after Spurs' second as Connor Pace’s corner was headed on by Dylan Scott and eventually glanced home by Kiyan Baker-McKay at close range to halve the deficit on. 1-2.
Tottenham went close to restoring their two-goal cushion in the 62nd minute. Adewole saw his 25-yard strike crash off the underside of the bar, before Dudek got down well to turn aside Ajayi’s effort with the winger through one-on-one just seconds later.
Albion were pushing for an equaliser and the golden chance eventually fell the way of sbustitute Kiarhys Svarc in the 82nd minute when the striker was sent through on goal, but he could only place his effort wide of Bloedorn’s right hand post.
The tie was finally put to bed in the 93rd minute as Ajayi’s close range effort hit the top of the crossbar and fell to Oliver Irow who was on-hand to tuck home and seal the victory.
Tonight’s defeat sees the Brewers PDP side bow out of the Youth Cup at the Fourth Round stage following an impressive run. The Young Brewers return to EFL Youth Alliance League Action on Friday 26th January, when they visit Lincoln City.
FULL-TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-3 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
ALBION: Dudek, Bilton, Taroni, Pace, Tamen, Gilbert, Knowles (Ranger 71’), Wakelin, Scott (Svarc 78’), Mtenga (Newall 85’), Baker-McKay.
GOALS: Baker-McKay, 52'
ATTENDANCE: 521