‘We’ll remember this for the rest of our lives’ – Spurs U18s on playing in first game at new Tottenham stadium

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For many taking in Tottenham’s new stadium for the first time on Saturday, the football took a back seat. For those playing the first ever game at the 62,062-seat venue, however, it is something which will never be forgotten.

Spurs U18s ran out 3-1 winners against Southampton to go within a point of league leaders Arsenal, on whom they have a game in hand, as they gave the near 29,000 in attendance a glimpse at the future.

There was pressure to perform on a momentous day for the club, with not only Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy, but a host of club legends including Ossie Ardiles and Clive Allen, watching on.

The youngsters delivered, and their huddle after the whistle showed just what playing their part in this occasion meant to the group.

“For a lot of us it was our first time playing in front of so many people and the fans were outstanding,” U18s captain Armando Shashoua, told the club website. “This is something that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.

J'Neil Bennett, who enjoyed a historic moment in scoring the first goal at the new stadium, said: “When I scored, I was just running to the crowd! I heard everyone screaming… it was just amazing, so overwhelming.”

Dilan Markanday, who was lively all afternoon winning a penalty before rounding off the scoring, added: “It’s hard to describe, I’m speechless! It was such an incredible feeling. We all knew that Southampton are a very good team and we have to keep pushing to try to win the league. We’ve got games in hand against [leaders] Arsenal and we had to win this game to try to make sure we can stay up there.”

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