Nervy Posh Open With Win
Britt Assombalonga earned Peterborough United an opening day success over Mark Cooper's Swindon Town on a nervy day at London Road.The Robins went close to a breakthrough within the first three minutes as Alex Pritchard, who spent a loan spell at London Road last term, curled a free-kick just past the post after Rowe had been penalised for a foul on the edge of the box.
Pritchard was then denied by a fine Olejnik save as Swindon created a clear-cut opening inside the opening exchanges.
However, it was the hosts who got the first goal of the afternoon and what a strike it was, a huge ball forward was anticipated by the debutant ASSOMBALONGA, he shrugged off the defender and smashed an unstoppable effort past Foderingham and into the back of the net.
Assombalonga flicked an effort over the bar from close-range after an excellent knock-down from Barnett on the quarter hour mark as Posh, boosted by the goal, continued to create.
Barnett tested Foderingham from range, but the goalkeeper was equal to the low drive.
Fritas-Reis tested Olejnik from range on 48 minutes, but the goalkeeper made a routine save.
Tommy Rowe struck the inside of the post from 20-yards after a good ball from Barnett as Posh came desperately close to a second goal. Jack Payne replaced Grant McCann in midfield on 73 minutes.
Olejnik produced a good save to deny a low free-kick from Mason on 75 minutes after Rowe was penalised for a foul.
Swindon were inches away from a leveller on 78 minutes as Mason struck the bar with a swerving shot from distance.
Final Score: Posh 1-0 Swindon Town
Posh: Olejnik, Alcock, Ntlhe, Zakuani, Bostwick, Tomlin (sub Swanson 82min), Rowe, McCann (sub Payne 73min), Kearns, Barnett, Assombalonga. Unused subs: Day, Sinclair, Knight-Percival, Gordon, Little.
Swindon: Foderingham, Thompson, Luongo, Hall, Frites-Reis (sub Storey 73min), Harley (sub Kasim 64min), Mason, Williams, Pritchard, Smith, Ward. Unused subs: Bedwell, McEveley, Thompson, Barthram, Archibald-Henville.
Attendance: 7,178