Posh Under 21s strong start to the new PDL campaign came to a halt on Tuesday afternoon as they were beaten by Millwall at Calmomt Road.

The Peterborough United Under 21s were beaten in a close game 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon in Greater London. The hosts Millwall scored a double of penalties which was only replied by David Kamara’s strike on the half hour mark.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to the hosts, but the effort was deflected over the bar following a strong block from Oliver Rose. Millwall maintained their early pressure but were denied by Will Blackmore who made a good save with his feet to deny the opposition from opening the scoring.  Blackmore was to the rescue again on 17 minutes as a strong palm denied the hosts following a scramble in the box.

The deadlock was broken on the 20 minute mark as following Ben Drake being brought down inside the area, Henry Hearn stepped up and fired the ball past Blackmore.

Posh looked to get back level and came close when Harley Mills crossed from deep and his ball was met by David Kamara in the air but the header glanced wide of the post. Posh did get level just after the half hour mark as KAMARA volleyed home from the back post to level the scoring. 

Posh went close early in the second period with David Ajiboye forcing the Trueman into a good stop following a tricky run. Following this Posh piled the pressure on the home side with a  Kamara effort from distance well held again by Trueman. On the hour mark it was Kamara who went close again with his thunderous volley rattling the crossbar before eventually being cleared by the Millwall backline. 

Despite Posh having their strongest period of the game on 61 minutes, Millwall were once again awarded a penalty with Hearn being downed in the box and it was that man who netted getting his second goal to help the Lions back into the lead. 

The score was almost level again on 69 minutes with a Mills’ free-kick which seemed destined for the top corner but a top drawer save kept the hosts in front. In a battle of incredible saves it was Will Blackmore’s turn a minute later with him making an unbelievable double save with his feet to deny Millwall from doubling their lead. Shortly after the home side found themselves in on goal down the right but Blackmore palmed the effort around the post. 

Millwall looked to add to their lead on 85 minutes but another fine stop from Blackmore denied them this time tipping the ball onto the bar. Posh searched for an equaliser late on but alas were beaten and the winning start to the season comes to an end on a chilly afternoon in Greater London.

Following the game Lead Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Ryan Semple said: “It was disappointing to be beat for sure. It was a strong Millwall side with some real experience in there. For the first 25 minutes we took a while to get going and didn’t keep the ball well enough which gave them the momentum to create counter attacks and this will get punished at any level.” 

Speaking about his sides reaction to conceding: “In fairness following the goal we got a little bit of control in the game, we scored following a good move and then started to play through them. We started the second half really well too but the momentum shifted straight away after  Kamara hit the bar and they were straight being awarded a penalty up the other end. Following that it was disappointing we didn’t really keep doing the things which gave us success following the first goal which led to a disappointing day overall.”  

The Under 21s are next in action on September 24th as they host Sheffield United in the PDL.

Posh: Blackmore, Freeman (sub Mendonca 53min), Mills, Crichlow, Rose, Bogle-Campbell, Young, Trialist A (sub Davies 64min), Ajiboye, Beech (sub Fox 80min), Kamara. 

Unused subs: Westcott, Gbajumo.