Doherty does it again as we topple Posh Under-21s at Hotspur Way
Spurs 3-1 Peterborough United U21s
Wed 14 December 2022, 16:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
Matt Doherty struck again as we beat Peterborough United Under-21s 3-1 in a training ground match at Hotspur Way on Wednesday afternoon.
The defender scored twice in our 4-0 win against Motherwell on Friday and was there again to make it three goals in our two mid-season encounters so far. That was our third and final goal on a bitterly cold afternoon in Enfield, Harvey White opened the scoring on 25 minutes and Bryan Gil doubled our lead a minute later.
A young Posh side impressed in terms of their enthusiasm and organisation and were rewarded when David Ajiboye fired home a consolation goal for 3-1 in the 70th minute.
Clement Lenglet was back in the starting line-up - the only change from Motherwell - with Pape Matar Sarr making a notable return to Spurs action in the second half, just 10 days after featuring for Senegal in the World Cup Round of 16 clash against England in Qatar. It's fair to say he would have noticed the difference in temperature!
We created a flurry of half-chances in the early stages without testing Posh goalkeeper William Blackmore - Dejan Kulusevski, twice, Gil and Matt Doherty all having a sight at goal.
The opener arrived via a set piece on 25 minutes when Davinson Sanchez met Kulusevki's inswinging corner and glanced across the face of goal where White converted from close range.
It was soon 2-0 as Kulusevski got away down the right, drove into the box, drew Blackmore and squared for Gil to tap home.
Doherty and Djed Spence swapped flanks for the second half and we were soon on the front foot as Japhet Tanganga won possession and charged forward, exchanged passes with Kulusevski and found White, who was denied by Blackmore. Gil was next to try his luck from a free-kick, Blackmore there again to tip over.
There was little Blackmore could do from the next chance, however, as Spence played in Gil on an overlap left side, Gil picked out Doherty who made no mistake, controlling and drilling home from 12 yards. He might have had a second, as well, only for Aaron Powell to make a last-ditch block.
Blackmore built on his impressive display on 65 minutes by denying Bissouma from the penalty spot. Bissouma won the penalty himself after a driving run took him past three players before being brought down. The midfielder went low to Blackmore's left, the keeper read it and made the save.
The final word in front of goal went to the visitors on 70 minutes as Ajiboye drove into the box and drilled across Alfie Whiteman into the bottom corner.
Next up, we face OGC Nice in an exhibition match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday (21 December, 7pm).
This match will be streamed live on SPURSPLAY. To find out more on our official video streaming platform, and to subscribe, visit: https://play.tottenhamhotspur.com
Spurs 3-1 Peterborough United Under-21s
Spurs: Austin (Whiteman 62), Tanganga (Muir 82), Sanchez (Fagin-Walcott 82), Lenglet (Lyons-Foster 69), Spence (Paskotsi 82), Bissouma (Sarr 69), Skipp (Devine 82), Doherty (Craig 82), Kulusevski (Robson 82), White (Santiago 82), Gil (Mathurin 82).
Peterborough United: Blackmore, Mensah, Fernandez, trialist, Tomlinson, McGlinchey, Van Lier, Hickinson, Taylor, Ajiboye, Corbett. Substitutes: Laycock, Powell, Fox, Harris, Gyamfi, Chiha, Bodie.
Match data
Goals: Spurs - White 25, Gil 26, Doherty 56; Posh - Ajiboye 70.
Venue: Hotspur Way, Enfield.
Weather: Freezing! -1 degrees at kick-off.
Attendance: Behind closed doors.
