BOURNEMOUTH (AWAY)

Friendly

Thursday 25th July 2002

 

 

AFC Bournemouth  0   Tottenham  1     (Half time: 0-1)
FRIENDLY 
Thursday 25th July 2002
Venue :  Fitness First Stadium at Dean Court
Kick off : 7.45 p.m. 
Weather : Overcast
Crowd : -  6,640
Referee : -  P. Armstrong
SCORERS  

Bournemouth  -  None
Tottenham  -  Rebrov 21

CARDS

Bournemouth  -  None
Tottenham  -  None

Bournemouth : Evans (Gareth Stewart 70), Neil Young (Bloomfield 58), Purches, Maher, Fletcher, Elliott, O'Connor (Saadi 70), Hayter (Foyewa 58), Connell (Holmes 52), Broadhurst (Tindle 45), Rous (Caceres 62).

Tottenham :  Neil Sullivan, Simon Davies, Gary Doherty (Ronnie Henry 58), Chris Perry, Ben Thatcher, Matthew Etherington, Dean Marney (Johnnie Jackson 45), Jamie Redknapp (Oyvind Leonhardsen 45), Milenko Acimovic, Steffen Iversen (Lee Barnard 58), Sergei Rebrov (George Snee 89).

COLOURS

Bournemouth  -  Red shirts with black stripes, white shorts, black socks
Tottenham  -  White shirts, navy blue shorts, white socks with blue turnover

 

The third game of Spurs' pre-season tour of South East England (and Rotterdam) produced the third consecutive victory. Seven more games and 23 days to the first Premiership game at Everton. As with Colchester earlier in the week, AFC Bournemouth looked the more aggressive and determined side with Spurs treating the occasion as very much a glorified training session. 

Bournemouth enjoyed the majority of goal-scoring opportunities forcing Sullivan into several good saves. However, Rebrov's tap-in in the 21st minute won the game for Spurs. Unlike the first two friendlies Glenn Hoddle decided not to make wholesale changes at half time, with the majority of the team playing the full 90 minutes. 

This was Spurs first visit to the rebuilt Fitness First Stadium at Dean Court and there was significant Lilywhite support in the East Stand. Judging by the number of Spurs shirts spied on the sea-front during the afternoon, many had decided to make a day of it. The stadium, typical of the modern breed, is only three-sided at present. When the missing South Stand is eventually added this will be an impressive lower-league ground. 

Bournemouth had already created three decent chances, with Sullivan making two good saves, before Rebrov scored the first goal. Simon Davies crossed from the right, Milenko Acimovic headed against the bar leaving Sergei to tap home the rebound with keeper Rhys Evans stranded.

The home team created a further four chances in the first half - twice forcing Sully into saves. Matty Etherington's pace on the left provided many of Spurs best attacking moments, but that final delivery was again lacking in quality. Etherington is the type of player who appeals to Spurs traditionalists with his pace and skills but like so many others in the category ... Jose Dominguez, Richard Cooke, Paul Moran, etc. it just may be that Matt never quite makes the grade.

Steffen Iversen played his first pre-season game (lasting until the 58th minute when he was replaced by Lee Barnard). Was it the new figure-hugging Kappa shirt (also worn by many Spurs fans on its first day of sale) or did Steffen look a bit porky? Jamie Redknapp also played the first 45 minutes and looked as if he was taking his pre-season preparation very gently. Is he truly fully recovered from injury? Too early to tell but let's hope so. 

At half time Leo and Johnnie Jackson replaced Redknapp and young Dean Marney. Spurs started with slightly more purpose with Etherington shooting over after a good run and Jackson heading over from a Rebrov cross. 

Gary Doherty, who had played as a striker against both Stevenage and Colchester, reverted to a defensive role for this game. Is he destined to be a multi-purpose player for ever or will Glenn eventually make his mind up? He does not seem to have the requisite first touch for an attacker (Ed - what, like Sir Les), but, as a (solid) defender, he does provide a handy attacking option at set-pieces. Flavour of the month Ronnie Henry replaced the Doc in the 58th minute for his third first team appearance in five days.

On the hour Bournemouth substitute Amos Foyewa made a pacy run down the left, Sullivan came and dithered - looking relieved when Foyewa shot wide. This let-off was followed by good Spurs pressure with Etherington, Rebrov and Acimovic all getting shots in. Acimovic looks the part, physically strong with good technical skill and an eye for the unexpected opportunity. However, his frequent drag-backs and "twisty-turnies" may not get much change out of Premier League defenders. He also looks as if he enjoys a theatrical dive ... which should provide some fun when the season gets going for real. 

The one quality moment of the evening came in the 83rd minute when Simon Davies, looking more and more the real deal, chipped substitute keeper Gareth Stewart from 40 yards and hit the post.

Bournemouth had one more good chance with seven minutes left, Wade Elliott's shot being pushed away by Sullivan for a corner. 

The last minute of the game saw Rebrov being clattered from behind leaving him to limp off looking mightily naffed off. He was replaced for the last few seconds by George Snee. It's not the start of the annual injury jinx ... is it?

This was not a feast of football by any means and, in fact, Bournemouth looked the more dynamic side. However, pre-season preparation is only just underway and the team that runs out to the Z Cars theme at Goodison on 18th August might not feature any of those who played against Bournemouth. 

Keller, Carr, Ziege, King, Gardener, Bunjecevic, Richards, Taricco, Anderton, Poyet,  Ferdinand and Robbie Keane should all be there ...


MEHSTG TOP MAN : - MATTHEW ETHERINGTON


OLIVE BRANCH

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