FRIENDLY MATCH
TUESDAY 20TH JULY, 2004
STEVENAGE BOROUGH 1 (0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (1)
Stevenage Scorer:-
Quailey, 89
Spurs scorers:-
Keane (pen), 19
Defoe, 85
Attendance:- Est 6,000
Referee:- Paul TAYLOR
Teams:-
Stevenage (4-4-2):- Woodman; Warner, Hocking (sub Goodliffe, 64 - Capt.), Rogers (Capt..), Gregory (sub Gould, 62); Brady (sub Boyd, 46), Bulman (sub Hodgson, 71), Quinn (sub Nurse, 66), Brough; McAllister (sub Maamria (46), Elding
Spurs (4-4-2) First Half:- Keller; Kelly, O'Donoghue, Bunjevcevic, Taricco; Yeates, Marney, Mendes, Jackson; Keane (Capt..), Malcolm
Second Half:- Keller; Ifil, Mabizela, Doherty (Capt..), McKie; Ricketts, McKenna, Hughes, O'Hara; Defoe, Malcolm
With just five minutes to go, it looked like Robbie Keane's first half penalty was going to be all that would separate these two sides in what is becoming their annual pre-season ritual. Two years ago, Spurs won 4-0. Last year it was 2-0, and now we have been reduced to a one goal margin, as, although lightning fast Jermain Defoe doubled the score with the goal he had threatened throughout the second half, Spurs then lost their concentration and allowed Stevenage substitute Brian Quailey to chip over the advanced Kasey Keller for a late goal.
The ground was full and of course plenty of those present were eager to see some of the new faces in the Spurs line-up. Not so much on the field, as only Mendes was sighted, but on the sidelines, you could have spotted a calm looking Martin Jol, Jacques Santini, and in the stand, a relaxed looking Sporting Director - Frank Arnesen, accompanied by Spurs vice-chairman, David Buchler.
There were a number of notable player absentees . Robinson, Carr, King, Gardner, Redknapp, Brown, Davis, and Davies were all rested. Robinson and King of course will only just have returned to training. With two matches this week-end against League opposition, one would hope to see stronger Spurs sides on show. The fact is that both first and second half teams today featured a majority of youngsters, and those who came expecting a feast of football were to be disappointed.
There was, of course, plenty of interest in Mendes, who covered a lot of territory, but did not impress me too much in this early outing. He lost the ball too easily in early challenges. Then his passing was astray, but towards the end of the half, he was winning loose balls, and starting decent moves, so I should not be too harsh, Defoe was a delight to watch in the second half, as he demonstrated his silky skills and great speed, which often carried him into scoring positions, only to be thwarted by a desperate tackle or two, and one or two failed efforts.
Of those young players, Yeates and Jackson caught the eye in the first half, and Phil Ifil and Kieran McKenna in the second. Michael Malcolm played the full 90 minutes and must surely have learnt from that time beside Keane and Defoe. Early on, Spurs had a touch of the jitters with awkward and over-hit back passes to Keller, and Mendes being forced off the ball too easily, as Stevenage were not going to shirk in the challenge all night.
Yeates had already impressed down the right, and then threaded a great ball to Robbie Keane in a similar position to his assist at Molineux at the end of last season. Robbie did not get a shot in. Stevenage threatened after 16 minutes, when Elding rounded O'Donoghue, and fired a powerful cross past everyone. A clearance was gifted to Bulman, who tested Keller with a straight shot.
The Spurs goal came from a long ball which John Jackson made his won, meeting it with a header, and passing the right back, before hitting a hard cross which was handled by Hocking. Referee Paul Taylor had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, and neither did Robbie Keane scoring with a well-placed strike just inside the keeper's right post.
Spurs were again conceding free kicks in dangerous territory, and we must hope that the new coaching team can prevent too much of that trait. This one was by Stephen Kelly on the edge of the box on the right, and that man Bulman hit a curler which Keller held cleanly. Kelly soon redeemed himself with a great chipped pass for Keane inside the box, but cleverly blocked by the defence. Five minutes before the break Mendes was at the start of a good move, which ended with Malcolm turning the ball to Robbie Keane who hit a great dipping shot from 22 yards that went just over the bar.
It was all change after the break, and it was the home side who drew applause as Hanlon curled a shot that Keller did well to stretch to, tipping it onto the bar and out for a corner. Defoe's first piece of supreme skill came on the edge of the box, as he made room for a shot that was hit high just outside the stanchion. An hour had passed when McKie's cross reached Ricketts, whose shot was stolen off his toe by a great block by Rogers.
On 66 minutes, Defoe went haring away from the middle, obviously intent on scoring himself. He had O'Hara free on his left, but tried a clever chip, which was just too clever for his own good! Jamie O'Hara (playing out of position on the left wing) sent Marcel McKie away, who also displayed good pace and skill at this point. McKie hit a cross into Defoe's path, but the shot went straight to Woodman. The almost inevitable second goal came with five minutes left, as Ricketts released Defoe on his left, and Jermain carried the ball to close range, finishing with a cool shot under the keeper. The Stevenage goal came and there was a quick spasm of open play from Spurs, as Ifil's cross reached Defoe beyond the area. The ball was sent back into the area, and Ricketts had a good low shot well saved by the Stevenage guardian.
Next up for Spurs' main squad is a trip to Hull on Saturday, whilst a "Spurs XI" play at Chesham tomorrow night (July 21st)
Top of page | Index to 2004-5 Friendly Match Reports
