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Reserves 2-1 Spurs
Reserves 2-1 Spurs
Wednesday, 27th Nov 2002 20:51

A strong Town reserves side battled to a 2-1 win over a similarly experienced Spurs side in soaking conditions at Portman Road. Darren Ambrose put the Blues ahead in the first minute with later goals from Ben Thatcher and Tommy Miller completing the scoring.

The game was less than a minute old when Darren Ambrose curled a now trademark freekick into the top corner after Tommy Miller had been fouled 30 yards out. It was perhaps the finest of the several similar goals he has scored this season.

Spurs were on terms seven minutes later when it was Ben Thatcher's turn to hit the net with a freekick. His effort was sent along the ground past the wall beyond James Pullen. Richard Naylor, given a try-out at central defence had given away the freekick right on the edge of the area.

Town were playing some pretty stuff and Ian Westlake came close to setting up Matt Richards on 12, but Dean Marney get on foot in to put the ball out for a corner.

Finidi George perhaps ought to have done better on 17 as he ran onto a Reuser through ball. The Nigerian let the ball run away from him and keeper Hirschfield toed the ball for a corner. From the kick Town went ahead as Miller lashed a low shot under the keeper after Reuser's head across goal had been half-cleared.

Martijn Reuser, on the way back after his knee operation, came close twice before the end of the half, a volley from the edge of the area struck Perry on the head when goal bound and a minute later sent a curler just over.

Ex-Town star Mauricio Taricco had a quiet first half and was replaced at the break but still managed to become the first player to enter referee Appleby's book for a late tackle on Ambrose.

No changes for Town at the break, but Erdem Artun succumbed to an injury five minutes later, Matt Bloomfield taking his place.

Sergei Rebrov came close to a Tottenham equaliser on 53 when he headed Thatcher's cross off James Pullen's post.

Finidi George hit a rare Town second half shot in the 64th minute but the ball deflected wide off a Spurs defender. The visitors were enjoying the nest of the second half without turning that advantage into goals.

Reuser made way on 76 after a quiet second half, Nabil Abidallah, back training with the first team under the new management, taking his place.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Finidi George made way for Richard Logan after injuring a heal in a challenge with Chris Perry.

Despite dominating the latter stages Spurs failed to test Pullen too much with sub George Smee's lofty effort typical of their finishing.

For Town Reuser had a few moments where he impressed, mainly in the first half while Miller was busy in midfield throughout.

Despite giving away the freekick for Thatcher's goal, Naylor had a reasonable game at centre-back. An occasional tendency to throw himself into a tackle too early was a not unexpected aspect of his game and something that he will presumably have to learn not to do if he is to continue playing at the back.

Town: Pullen, Artun (Bloomfield 50), Richards, Naylor, Brown, Venus, Ambrose, Miller, George (Logan 80), Reuser (Abidallah 76), Westlake.


Photo: Action Images



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