Nichols At The Double To Seal Posh Progression
Peterborough United are into round two of the EFL Cup after a hard fought 3-2 victory over AFC Wimbledon at the ABAX Stadium.For the second game in a row it was a substitute who netted the winner, Tom Nichols this time grabbing the headlines as his brace, saw Posh come from behind to progress into round two of the competition.
Goalkeeper Ben Alnwick made his first save of the contest on six minutes, tipping over an Andy Barcham effort as the visitors made a bright start at the ABAX Stadium.
Hayden White dragged a shot wide of the target on the quarter of an hour mark after excellent work in a small space by Paul Taylor.
Maddison flashed a shot wide of the target from fully 30-yards moments later after a quickly taken free-kick by Da Silva Lopes.
Chris Forrester was cautioned for a foul on 22 minutes by referee Mr Yates. Andrew Hughes wasted the best chance of the game on the half hour mark as Maddison and Edwards carved out a chance for the left-back, the former Newport man firing into the side-netting.
Edwards had the ball in the back of the net on 32 minutes after rounding keeper Clarke, but the offside flag was raised and the goal was chalked off.
The visitors opened the scoring on 34 minutes as a left-wing corner was headed home at the near post by former Posh winger Chris WHELPDALE.
Da Silva Lopes followed Forrester into the book with a crude lunge on Barcham. Barnett powered the resulting free-kick wide of the target after a clipped centre to the back post.
Maddison fired into the side netting on 40 minutes after a forceful run down the right hand side. Da Silva Lopes fired wide of the near post moments after the interval after a well disguised pass from Maddison.
Alnwick did well to beat away a sharp effort from Poleon as the visitors continued to threaten. Posh made a double change on 55 minutes with Jerome Binnom-Williams and Tom Nichols replacing Hughes and Coulthirst.
Taylor curled a free-kick over the bar after Maddison was bundled over 30-yards from goal. Posh drew themselves level on 64 minutes, substitute Tom NICHOLS powering home a header at the near post after an excellent centre from Da Silva Lopes.
Reeves was cautioned for an ugly looking hack at Maddison on 68 minutes. From the resulting free-kick, Posh got their noses in front as Maddison's set-piece was only half cleared after an initial Bostwick header and TAYLOR poked home into the roof of the net.
Taylor stabbed against the underside of the bar after Alnwick could only parry a drive from Barcham. Nichols sent a powerful side-footed effort over the bar from the edge of the box after good work from Taylor in a tight area.
AFC Wimbledon drew themselves level on 78 minutes after Chettle was dispossessed on the edge of the box, substitute TAYLOR punished him, firing low into the bottom corner.
Bostwick fired wide from long-range after an intelligent Edwards lay-off before a superb Bostwick tackle prevented Barcham from scoring at the other end.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Posh got themselves in front and it was substitute Tom NICHOLS again, flicking home from close-range after Maddison's corner was headed dowwn into his path.
Posh: Alnwick, Hughes (sub Binnom-Williams 55min), Bostwick, Baldwin, Edwards, Forrester (sub Chettle 71min), Taylor, Maddison, Coulthirst (sub Nichols 55min), Da Silva Lopes, White. Unused subs: Tyler, Smith, J. Anderson, Nabi.
AFC Wimbledon: Clarke, Fuller, Robinson, Reeves, Poleon (sub Elliott 68min), Whelpdale (sub Beere 46min), Barcham, Parrett, Kelly, Barnett (sub Taylor 68min), Charles. Unused subs: Shea, Bulman, Nightingale, Fitzpatrick,.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-1 AFC Wimbledon
Full-time: Peterborough United 3-2 AFC Wimbledon
Attendance: 2,886 (278 AFC Wimbledon fans)