Bowden strike sees Under-23s edge Derby

A Jamie Bowden strike on the stroke of half-time saw our Under-23s take all three points away at Derby County in the Premier League 2 on Monday night.

Returning to winning ways, we dominated in the opening period at Pride Park and created a number of opportunities before Bowden broke the deadlock on 45 minutes, firing home from close range. After the interval, we then battled to build on that lead but, with Yago Santiago, Kallum Cesay and Romaine Mundle all denied by goalkeeper Harry Evans, we were ultimately made to settle for a narrow victory.

From the off, we were in control in the East Midlands and, within two minutes, we had already registered an attempt - Max Robson skewing the ball off target from 10 yards out.

Chances continued to come for us in the opening 15 minutes as the hosts sat off us in midfield, which allowed Bowden and Mundle to both drive at the defence and get shots off from distance. Neither, however, could trouble 'keeper Evans with both dragging efforts wide of the upright. Robson later came inches from converting a Mundle cross from the right.

Despite that promising opening quarter of an hour though, we then struggled to advance as the midfield became congested. Chances were very much at a premium from then on with the next of note actually falling Derby's way as Jack Stretton came close to connecting to Kornell McDonald’s centre.

That was a rare opening for the home side though as we continued to control the play before we deservedly took the lead moments before the half-time whistle. Nile John, who is eligible to play for our Under-23s under the terms of his loan to Charlton Athletic, was the instigator as his deflected strike from eight yards out cannoned off the post and into the path of Bowden, who had the simple task of sending the ball home.

And, with the lead in tow, we found another gear in the second half, pressing the Rams back as we started to take the game to them. However, much like the first period, we were not quite able to take our chances.

Again, we enjoyed a very bright opening 15 minutes of the half with three good opportunities falling our way. First, Yago Santiago swivelled in the box before drawing a smart save out of Evans, Kallum Cesay then sent the ball narrowly the wrong side of the post before Mundle saw a curling effort from the edge of the box parried away.

The introduction of Jamie Donley from the bench then gave us a different threat in the final third and on 74 minutes, he almost made the perfect impact but he couldn't quite connect with a clever lofted ball over the top of the defence.

With us unable to quite get the desired breathing space against Rams, in the game’s late stages, the hosts grew in confidence and came close to levelling, but Thimothee Lo-Tutala was alive at his front post to deny Tyree Wilson. In the final minute, we had one last opportunity to get a second but J’Neil Bennett could only steer over the bar from an acute angle.

Match data

Goals: Spurs - Bowden 45.

Yellow cards: Spurs – Bowden 47.

Referee: Scott Jackson.

Venue: Pride Park.

Weather: Cloudy with a slight breeze, 12 degrees.