Anderson Inspires Five Star Posh
Peterborough United are known as the entertainers for a reason ladies and gentleman. They proved it on a cold afternoon in Crewe. Posh dominated for long periods without scoring, but when they did hit the back of the net, they did it in style.Jon Taylor gave Posh a half-time lead with a close-range striker before two goals in as many minutes from Conor Washington and Jermaine Anderson put Posh firmly in control.
Lee Angol made it four 10 minutes after the re-start before Crewe netted a consolation goal through Ryan Colclough. Anderson, in the form of his life, certainly in front of goal, made it five with a stunning strike to cap off a fine individual display in the week he was compared to England star Dele Alli by his boss Graham Westley.
Conor Washington had the first effort of note in the game, reading a bouncing ball better than the home defence, but his shot was smothered by goalkeeper Garratt who was quick off his goal-line.
The deadlock was broken on seven minutes as Jermaine Anderson beat the full-back with a neat bit of skill and pulled the ball back for Jon TAYLOR who took a touch before rifling past Garratt.
Taylor was denied moments later by the legs of Garratt who is already been overworked and overstretched by the bright Posh start.
Bostwick and Taylor both saw shots blocked after an Oztumer corner was only half cleared by the hosts. Oztumer tested Garratt from 25-yards on 20 minutes with the keeper doing well to cling on.
An Elder cross picked out Angol on 22 minutes, but under pressure, he stabbed his effort over the crossbar.
Alnwick produced a decent stop to deny Inman by his near post after the hosts cut Posh open with a slide-rule pass.
Callum Saunders was the first man to go into the referee's book, his late lunge on Elder was punished by the official. Almeida Santos went into the book moments later for an aerial challenge.
Bostwick was booked, his ninth of the campaign, for a blatant trip on 37 minutes. Taylor tested Garratt with a low shot after a strong run as the first half entered the final few moments.
Ryan Colclough was a whisker away from levelling the scores on 43 minutes after a strong run, but his left-foot shot found the side-netting with Alnwick stranded.
Saunders was next to try his luck, but his curler whistled over the crossbar from the edge of the box before Bingham dragged a shot wide from 20-yards.
Forrester tested Garratt as the half moved into three minutes added time, the keeper beating it away to safety before he denied Bostwick's low effort rather more comfortably.
The second half started in explosive fashion with Taylor denied by Garratt before Posh made it 2-0 as WASHINGTON took a glorious first touch from a raking Oztumer pass and coolly stabbed the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
Within a minute, Posh were 3-0 up as ANDERSON let fly from the edge of the box, the effort took a huge deflection and nestled in the corner for the youngster's fourth goal in four games.
It was 4-0 on 54 minutes as Elder picked out Oztumer in acres of space, he in turn found ANGOL and the former Luton man made no mistake, firing first time across Garratt and into the back of the net.
Forrester was denied by Garratt moments later as Oztumer again picked out a team-mate, but this time the keeper stood up to the challenge and tipped the effort over the crossbar.
Substitute King was cautioned for a late tackle on Smith right in front of the dugout. The home side reduced the arrears on 64 minutes and it was a stunning goal from Ryan COLCLOUGH who cut inside and rifled a right-footed effort in off the inside of the far post.
Taylor fired wide after a swift Posh counter attack on 70 minutes with Angol and Washington both heavily involved.
Harry Beautyman replaced the excellent Oztumer on 75 minutes as Posh Graham Westley made his first change of the afternoon.
Souleymane Coulibaly was introduced for the final 10 minutes with Washington the man replaced. On 81 minutes, Posh scored the goal of the game and what a goal it was. Jermaine ANDERSON is in the goalscoring form of his life and he demonstrated that form with a sharp turn and curler into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Andrew Fox replaced Forrester in the final Posh change of the afternoon.
Crewe: Garratt, Turton, Ray, Nugent, Haber (sub King 57min), Inman (sub Wilson 72min), Saunders, Kingsley, Bingham, Jones, Colclough (sub Wintle 82min). Unused subs: Nizic, Guthrie, Cooper, Baillie.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Elder, Almeida Santos, Bostwick, Taylor, Oztumer (sub Beautyman 75min), Forrester (sub Fox 85min), J. Anderson, Angol, Washington (sub Coulibaly 79min). Unused subs: Henry, Maddison, H. Anderson, Da Silva Lopes.
Half-time: Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Peterborough United
Full-time: Crewe Alexandra 1-5 Peterborough United
Attendance: 4,094 (318 Posh fans)