Dagenham & Redbridge 1-2 Spurs XI - report from Victoria Road

Jon Obika and Cristian Ceballos secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory for our Spurs XI team in Saturday's friendly at Dagenham & Redbridge.

The lads were handed the test they expected by the League Two side in an entertaining encounter at Victoria Road.

Daggers goalkeeper Liam O'Brien made a series of fine saves as we enjoyed the better of the first half before we were put under pressure after the break. Obika slotted home the opener on 43 minutes, Ceballos doubled the lead from the penalty spot on 66 before Christian Doidge reduced arrears 18 minutes from time.

Dominic Ball and Alex McQueen were the only recognised defenders in the line-up with Filip Lesniak and Emmanuel Sonupe in full-back roles. Coach Ugo Ehiogu later praised the defence, particularly Ball's display at centre-half.

We were in charge of the first half and it took just seven minutes for O'Brien to show his quality, getting down well to turn away Josh Onomah's shot from the left angle.

Harry Voss made a similar save to deny George Porter a minute later but O'Brien was the busier after that - and responded in style.

Sonupe hit the target from Onomah's set-up before the lively midfielder was denied again by O'Brien on 20 minutes. From the corner, McQueen's reaction volley looked a certain goal but somehow O'Brien got down to keep it out from point-blank range.

The goalkeeper matched that on 36 minutes when Obika broke centrally and unleashed a 30-yard drive destined for the top corner before O'Brien's fingertips diverted it away.

There was little O'Brien could do about Obika's opener, however. Ceballos led a break from halfway and drove into the box, O'Brien kept his effort out but Obika was on hand to slot home the rebound from 10 yards.

Daggers almost grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Abu Ogogo's header cannoned back off the post.

The home side started the second half on the front foot and Luke Howell had a chance within a minute of the restart, only for Ball to stand in his way.

Experienced hitman Jamie Cureton was then unlucky to see his dipper from 25 yards rattle the underside of the crossbar and bounce up off the line to safety.

On the hour, Ashley Chambers clipped the perfect cross for Howell at the far post but Voss sped across his line to make a flying catch.

Ceballos continued to probe in and around the box and it was no surprise that he was the man upended by Jack Connors for a clear-cut penalty on 66 minutes.

The finish wasn't as clear-cut though as Ceballos' cheeky dink down the middle was saved by the legs of substitute goalkeeper Mark Cousins, but thankfully Ceballos was on his toes to bury the follow up for 2-0.

Daggers deservedly pulled a goal back on 72 minutes when Ogogo's cross found substitute Christian Doidge, who planted home his header from eight yards.

The Essex side pushed forward for an equaliser without creating another clear-cut chance - mainly thanks to Ball and his defensive organisation - and we had the final notable efforts with Ceballos blasting wide and substitute Souleymane Coulibaly forcing a comfortable save from Cousins.

Dagenham & Redbridge: O'Brien (Cousins, 64), Batt (Shields, 81), Connors, Doe, Saah, Cureton (Doidge, 63), Ogogo, Porter (Pykes, 46), Chambers, Hemmings (Goldberg, 81), Howell. Sub (unused): Nouble.

Spurs XI: Voss, Sonupe, Lesniak, Carroll, Ball, McQueen, Ceballos, Winks (Akindayini, 72), Obika (Coulibaly, 68), Onomah (Lameiras, 72), Oduwa (Miller, 63).

Attendance: 1,198.