Posh Under 18s suffered their first defeat of the new PDL campaign as Millwall claim the spoils.

The Peterborough United Under 18s were beaten by 6-1 by Millwall on a wet Saturday afternoon as their winning start to the new PDL season came to an end at the idverde Training Ground with the visitors ruthless in converting the chances that came their way.

Posh got off to a dream start with forward Bolo SHOFOWOKE putting Posh into an early lead sending the ball into the back of the net from six-yards out after just four minutes. Shortly after, Rylie Fitzpatrick almost doubled the lead, his shot from a Shofowoke effort which was saved just went wide of the post. On 15 minutes, Joe Davies was superbly denied by the Millwall keeper who made an excellent save, diving to his left.

The early missed chances proved fatal as the lead didn't last long with the visitors equalising on 17 minutes. Millwall were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute but they couldn't convert the spot kick with Posh keeper Ben Westcott diving to his left to keep the penalty from forward O’Boyle out.

However just a minute later O’Boyle made up for the penalty miss as he gave the visitors the lead. and two minutes later the Lions scored a third goal in nine minutes with Smith getting his name on the scoresheet. 

Posh had a chance to get one back toward the end of the first half as the Millwall keeper was forced into a mistake as he spilled the ball from the corner and had to frantically scramble it off the line. Westcott produced a fine double save as the half drew to a close.

Millwall started the second half well, scoring a fourth through Taylor on 48 minutes and adding a fifth as O’Boyle grabbed his second just before the hour mark. Posh made a number of changes to try and find their way back into the match and they almost paid dividends as in the 63rd minute they engaged in a goalmouth scramble but the keeper ended up gathering safely. 

On 78 minutes, Shofowoke tested the keeper from distance, but the Millwall keeper denied him a second goal of the afternoon. Millwall added a 6th late on with a trialist getting his name on the scoresheet. In the last few seconds of the game Westcott made a great save diving down to his left. 

Following the game, Under 18s Lead Coach Jimmy Unwin said: “It was a strange afternoon really as we started the game really well, scored early and played some good football at times. However we conceded three quick goals and allowed it to be the game that Millwall wanted it to be like. Despite this we still stuck to our game plan and kept playing good balls, putting together some good pass and move football. It was a frustrating day for everyone but it’s one of those things as there is a lot to learn for the boys.

“We are going to reflect on it in the week, we had a lot of chances ourselves, but they just took theirs and that was the difference. The goal at the start of the second half knocked us a bit, having been 3-1 down at half time.”

Looking ahead to the next game against Mansfield in the PDL Cup Unwin said: “It’s a game in which we can put some of the things from today’s game to bed quickly with the game being so soon. The boys will be back on Monday morning and be ready to go again on Tuesday, it will be a different team that was there today as today we were very young but we will need to make sure we get back up to speed again quickly."

Posh: Westcott, Bushell, Unwin, Holley, Aikins, Gilbert, McWilliams-Marcano, Fox, Shofowoke, Davies, Fitzpatrick.