Rushden & Diamonds 2-4 Spurs XI
Monday 4th August
Clive Allen took charge of a mix of fringe first team and youth players for the final spurs XI preseason game at Nene Park against Conference outfit Rushden and Diamonds.
Tottenham found themselves a goal down after just 3 minutes when an inswinging corner from Andy Burgess was only parried by keeper Ben Alnwick and left an easy finish for Phillips to lash the ball home from 10 yards.
Things went from bad to worse 2 minutes later when a cutback from the right touchline fortunatly made its way to Burgess who in turn lofted the ball into the corner of Alnwicks goal with his instep.
Spurs scored straight from the kick off with Tomas Pekhart scoring his first of the night following good work by Adel Taarabt. We equalised after 37 minutes Kieron McKenna and Taarabt passing the ball in midfield before sliding the ball to the left to David Hutton to cross in for Pekhart to nod the ball home.
We scored again from the restart with Hutton again the provider. He slammed the ball into the box only for Rushden defender Gareth Jelleyman to volley into the top corner - A finish which Clive Allen would have been pleased with.
Tottenham sealed the win on 51 minutes with Pekhart also completing a hattrick when picking up on an Alex Olsen cross before burying the ball into the roof of the net. The home side had the opportunity to half the deficit shortly after as Phillips slotted wide from the penalty spot after a harsh decision on captain of the night Troy Archibald-Henville.
Rushden & Diamonds: Margarson, Osano, Jelleyman (McDonald, 71), Gulliver, McDonald (Kelly, 63), Phillips (Smith, 63), Burgess (Corcoran, 60), Mitchell (McGuinness, 63), Rankine (Tomlin, 59), Wolleaston (Beecroft, 60), Roberts. Subs: Day.
Spurs XI: Alnwick (Button, 46), Stalteri (Olsen, 46), Hughton, McKenna (Mtandari, 46), Archibald-Henville, Rocha (Dervite, 27), Smith, Hutchins, Pekhart, Taarabt (O'Neil, 83), D Hutton.