Beadle shines as under-23s end with Spurs stalemate

Abion finished their Premier League 2 campaign with a hard fought goalless draw against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday.

Andrew Crofts’ ended the season in 10th place in the league standings. They claimed nine wins, seven draws and 0 losses in total from their 26 matches.

Assessing the season as a whole, Crofts added, “It’s been rewarding to see the progress the players have made as individuals. They have challenged each other every day in games and on the training pitch and that’s enabled the group as a whole to flourish.”

At Spurs they defended well and goalkeeper James Beadle was in outstanding form. The Englandunder-18international made some fine saves, the pick a tip onto the bar at full stretch to keep out a deflected free kick by Spurs’ captain Jamie Bowden midway through the second half. Hardworking Albion had fewer opportunities to score but Cam Peupion went close with a long-range effort late on and their hard work all over the pitch deserved to be rewarded.

Bead le made two good saves in the space of four minutes to keep Spurs out, denying Yaga De Santiago Alonso in the 18th minute before saving Alfie Devine’s shot with his legs. Albion were a threat on the break. Jack Sp on g’ s superbly weighted pass was perfect for Andrew Moran to run onto but instead of shooting the Irishman elected to try and find James Furlong, who had strayed offside.

There was a scare for Spurs when keeper T hi mo thee Lo-Tut al a tried to clear Hay don Roberts’ long pass clear but the ball skimmed off his head and Ma lac hi Fag an-Walcott had to clear the ball away in front of goal.

Four minutes before the break Odel Offiah finds Cam Peupion in space on the left and his low, angled drive was straight at the keeper.

Beadle made another superb save in the 53rd minute, stretching his frame to turn the ball onto the bar after Bowden’s free-kick took a big deflection off the defensive wall and was heading for the top left-hand corner. He was at it again 15 minutes later, pushing out Bowden’s header from Ro maine Mu nd le’ s corner with his outstretched left hand before coming through a crowded six yard box to push away Mu nd le’ s inswinging free kick.

A second-half injury to Haydon Roberts meant ten minutes of stoppage time. Spurs kept pushing but Albion held firm.