Goals from Ricardo German & Manny Adebowale saw the Reds come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2- in a pre-season friendly with Tottenham Hotspur U23s at Hotspur Way on Saturday morning (22 August), in a behind closed door encounter.
Spurs took the lead through Rodel Richards’ 54th-minute strike, with the midfielder then picking out the top corner from 25 yards out to put Wayne Burnett’s 23's side in firm control.
But two goals in quick succession from German and Adebowale in the last eight minutes saw honours end even.
The first half didn’t yield any real chances for either side, with summer signing Sam Ashford and Crawley's number 10 Ashley Nadesan, both going close. Spurs' Sterling twice fired wide while Marsh went close, having snuck onto Pochettino’s low ball into the box with a late run.
Spurs took the lead nine minutes into the second half when Bennett picked out Kion Etete with a low ball into the box from the right with the later being able to ferry it on to Richards to convert from 10 yards amidst a congested area.
Late into the second half Yems' Reds suddenly found their attacking impetus and drew level with two goals in four minutes. German ran free in the left channel before slotting beyond goalkeeper Austin in the 82nd minute, and then with Jack Powell’s corner being allowed to drop in the six-yard box after clearing bodies at the front post, it left Manny Adebowale left to simply nudge the ball home to level the match in another rewarding game for John Yems' Reds.
The Reds pre season continues next week before opening the new campaign at home to Championship side Millwall on the 5th September with the Red Devils then opening the league season away at Port Vale the following week.
Crawley Town (1st Half): Morris; Davies, McNerney, Dallison, Sesay, Bulman (c), Francomb, Khaleel, Frost, Ashford, Nadesan
Crawley Town (2nd Half): Trialist; Davies, Craig, Tunnicliffe, Adebowale, van Velzen, Galach, Powell, Ferguson, Allarakhia, German
Tottenham Hotspur: Whiteman (Austin), Okedina, Georgiou, Marsh (c) (Markanday), Trailist, Lyons-Foster, Pochettino (Tracey), Trialist (Richards), Sterling (Etete), Roles (Skinner), Bennett. Substitutes (not used): Asante, Cooper.
