Anderson Nets Winner In Posh Victory
Peterborough United withstood a late rally from Fleetwood Town at a rain-soaked ABAX Stadium as Jermaine Anderson's header in the final quarter was enough to secure three vital points.After a heavy downpour ahead of kick-off, the ABAX Stadium surface was particularly slick for the two sides, but it was Graham Westley's men who settled quicker, Lee Angol showing some neat touches, he played in Michael Smith on the angle, but the full-back side-footed wide.
Jon Taylor saw a 25-yard free-kick pushed around the post by goalkeeper Maxwell after Angol was felled on the edge of the box.
On the quarter hour mark, Posh put together a beautiful move which began on the edge of their own box with Chris Forrester, he picked out Taylor who in turn weighted a perfect pass for Oztumer on the run, but the former Dulwich Hamlet man dragged his left-foot shot wide of the far post.
The lively Angol showed good feet to turn into space 25-yards from goal on 17 minutes, but his fierce drive went inches past the post with Maxwell at full stretch.
Anderson headed an excellent Taylor free-kick over the crossbar on 23 minutes as Posh continued to dominate without finding the breakthrough.
Anderson was a whisker away from 30-yards on 26 minutes after good approach play by Taylor, the England under 20 international sending his powerful drive just past the upright.
Oztumer curled a free-kick onto the roof of the net on 29 minutes after Taylor had been fouled. Taylor went on a mazy run on 34 minutes, beating two players and his shot was too hot to handle for Maxwell, who tipped it over for a corner kick.
Angol, who was causing problems for the Town back-line throughout the first period, showed good pace and power in the channel on 41 minutes, but his comeback was fired over by Washington who was off balance when he attempted to convert with his left-foot.
Joe Davis clipped the top of the crossbar with a floating effort as the first half moved into one minute of added time.
Neither side made any changes in the second half and the early moments followed the same pattern as the first with Posh attacking - Angol's cross deflecting inches wide of the far post.
Anderson then sent a left-foot volley wide of the target as the ball dropped into his path with Fleetwood struggling to clear at the far post.
The Cod Army were close to catching Posh out on the counter attack on 52 minutes as the ball was fed to Sarcevic in space, but his shot clipped the top of the crossbar.
Alnwick produced his first save of the afternoon on 54 minutes, beating away a curler from Haughton. Manager Westley responded with a double change as Marcus Maddison and Souleymane Coulibaly replaced Angol and Oztumer.
The deadlock was broken on 56 minutes and it was a first touch for COULIBALY who converted a cross by Elder from close-range. The trademark celebration followed.
Taylor tested Maxwell from range moments later, the goalkeeper diving to his right to keep the low effort out.
The visitors levelled the scores on 67 minutes, a slick move from the Cod Army and there was former Posh striker David BALL to coolly slot the ball past Alnwick.
On 76 minutes, Posh got themselves back in front and it was Jermaine ANDERSON'S third goal in three games as the England under 20 international met an excellent Smith cross and powered home a header.
Alnwick did well to punch a Ryan free-kick away from danger after Smith was penalised for a foul on the edge of the box, receiving a booking in the process.
Alnwick produced a stunning save moments later to tip a Henen effort onto the crossbar before Westley made his final change, introducing Andrew Fox for Washington.
On 83 minutes, Posh squandered a great chance to kill the game as Smith picked out Maddison, but after a fine first touch, his left-footed effort found the side-netting at the near post.
Deep in five minutes of added time, Taylor saw a breakaway denied by a parry by Maxwell as Posh tried to kill the game off.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Taylor, Bostwick, Oztumer (sub Maddison 55min), Almeida Santos, Washington (sub Fox 80min), Anderson, Angol (sub Coulibaly 55min), Elder, Forrester. Unused subs: Henry, Beautyman, Adebayo-Rowling, Lopes.
Fleetwood: Maxwell, Jonsson (sub Grant 85min), Pond, Bell, Ryan, Forbes (sub Fosu 65min), Sarcevic, Haughton, Henen, Teixeira, Davis. Unused subs: Gogic, Jordan, Proctor, Hunter.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-0 Fleetwood Town
Full-time:
Attendance: 5,462 (82 Fleetwood fans)