Posh Unlucky To Suffer Narrow Defeat
Peterborough United have now gone four games without a goal but they will feel unlucky not to take something from the Sky Bet League One clash at promotion contenders Swindon Town after dominating for long spells, particularly in the second half.Wes Foderingham in the Swindon Town goal had a nervy moment inside the opening few minutes as he let a fierce back-pass roll under his boot, but he managed to get back and clear. Andy Williams fired wide from 25-yards at the other end after collecting a long kick from the Town shot-stopper.
A quickly-taken corner kick nearly led to the first goal on six minutes as Maddison fed James, but he stabbed wide of the target. Turnbull was booked for fouling James on the edge of the box, but Maddison’s free-kick went over the crossbar.
The powerful Gladwin fired over from the edge of the box on his right-foot after creating a bit of space for himself. Toffolo was booked for a late tackle on Payne by the touchline as Mark Cooper’s men showed their combative style of play.
Washington fired over after cutting inside from the left on 24 minutes as Posh caused a few moments of panic for the hosts. Ben Alnwick made his first save moments later, handling well from a header from Turnbull.
Swindon were awarded a spot-kick on 28 minutes as Smith was penalised for tugging Obika to the floor. Williams stepped up but smashed his spot-kick against the crossbar. Maddison fired inches wide moments later after letting fly from 25-yards.
Gladwin fired wide from 30-yards on 32 minutes after turning well in the centre circle. Jack Payne saw a powerful 25-yard left-footed strike shovelled back into play by Foderingham, but Ntlhe couldn’t get the rebound chance under control.
Luongo fired over from distance on 37 minutes as Swindon played some patient football from left to right. Gladwin saw a curler tipped over by a well-positioned Alnwick as the first half drew to a close.
There were no changes in personnel at the interval and it was Posh who made the brighter start in the second period with Anderson firing into the side-netting after good pressing from the front three to rob Swindon of possession.
Posh created the best chance of the game on 51 minutes as Washington burst into the box and picked out Maddison in space, but his toe-poke from 10-yards was scooped around the post by Foderingham.
Williams somehow managed to miss from close-range moments later after a glorious low cross from Byrne was allowed to reach the far post. James fired wide of the target after Posh again dispossessed the hosts with the high pressing game.
A speculative effort from Payne was beaten away by Foderingham just after the hour mark as Posh continued to cause problems. The home side made a change on 65 minutes with Jon Swift replacing Rodgers.
Substitute Jermaine HYLTON found the breakthrough with his first goal of his professional career on 71 minutes as he turned sharply and fired low past Alnwick and into the bottom corner. Posh made a change on 73 minutes as Erhun Oztumer replacing Maddison.
Washington created space for himself on 75 minutes but after finding room, he drilled his shot straight at Foderingham. Washington appealed in vain for a spot-kick after he appeared to be felled in the box as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but nothing was given.
Alnwick produced a fine stop on 85 minutes to deny the pacy Byrne who had burst into the penalty area and then the Posh goalkeeper smothered a Toffolo effort from a well-worked corner kick. Michael Smith replaced one-time Posh loanee Obika moments later.
Harry Beautyman replaced Payne for the final stages with the Posh skipper now immune from the 10-match booking cut-off. Three minutes of added time was signaled by the fourth official, but despite late pressure, Posh couldn't find a leveller.
Full-time: Swindon Town 1–0 Posh
Swindon: Foderingham, Byrne, Luongo, Stephens, Turnbull, Gladwin, Wlliams (sub Hylton 70min), Toffolo, Obika (sub Smith 86min), Rodgers (sub Swift 65min), Ricketts. Unused subs: Belford, Barker, Barthram, Randall.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Ntlhe, Zakuani, Newell, Anderson, Bostwick, Payne (sub Beautyman 88min), Maddison (sub Oztumer 73min), Washington, James. Unused subs: Henry, Sheehan, Mclean, Santos, Norris.
Referee: Mr Davies
Attendance: 7,126 (285)