Spurs XI 3-1 Fulham - report from the Training Centre

Two goals in three minutes from Daniel Akindayini and a late strike from Will Miller saw our Spurs XI side claim a 3-1 win over Fulham in a Training Centre friendly on Wednesday lunchtime.

The Cottagers, who named Tim Hoogland and Sean Kavanagh in their starting line-up, forged ahead five minutes into the second half, but we quickly assumed control of the game and went on to secure the victory.

Aaron McEneff marked his return to action after more than four months out through injury in central midfield, lining up alongside Grant Ward and Harry Winks.

It was the visitors who started strongest, going close on a handful of occasions in the first 10 minutes. Alex McQueen denied Hoogland with a goal-line clearance after Freddy Plumain’s cut-back at the near post, Dan Burn prodded wide after getting in front of his marker to meet Kavanagh’s corner and Plumain played Adam Taggart clean through on goal – only for the wide man to blaze off target.

Our first real effort came from the boot of Ruben Lameiras after a quarter-of-an-hour, the attacker drilling just wide after Ward won the ball on the edge of the box and exhibited some clever footwork to set up his team-mate.

Just before the half-hour mark, Plumain burst down the right and curled in a cross which found its way to the unmarked George Williams on the left side of the box. He pulled the trigger, but goalkeeper Luke McGee was equal to it, saving with his legs.

Despite Fulham’s early chances, we gradually grew into the game, but it was nonetheless the visitors who opened the scoring in the 50th minute. Kavanagh’s in-swinger from the right flank evaded everyone in the box and drifted all the way in at the far post.

We responded well and drew level four minutes later, Akindayini playing a neat exchange with Lameiras on the edge of the box before slotting low into the corner. The same players then combined on the right two minutes later, Akindayini blasting into the net to put us 2-1 up.

Ward burst forward as we went on the attack again on 59 minutes, feeding Lameiras from the right side – only for the latter to be denied by the legs of goalkeeper Craig Ross.

Within 60 seconds of that chance, McEneff drilled towards the far corner but saw his effort whistle agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

The Cottagers were next to go close, Hoogland’s fierce header from Jordan Evans’ left wing cross being blocked in the box by Connor Ogilvie, while a speculative 40-yarder from Williams dipped at the last second and hit the woodwork.

We put the game fully out of Fulham’s reach on 87 minutes when McQueen scurried down the left-hand side and his cross was turned home by Miller as he arrived in the box.

Kavanagh then sent a stoppage time free-kick into the side netting in the last significant action of the game.

Spurs: McGee, Paul (Muscatt 89), McQueen, McEneff (Owens 66), Khumalo, Ogilvie, Lameiras, Ward, Akindayini (Loft 87), Winks, Miller (Ross 89). Substitute (not used): Miles (GK).